The municipality of Kistrand (renamed Porsanger in 1964) was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt).
 On 1 January 1851, the southern part of Kistrand (population: 869) was separated to become the new Kautokeino Municipality.
On 1 January 1861, the northern part of Kistrand (population: 345) was separated to become the new Kjelvik Municipality.
 On 1 January 1866, the southern part of Kistrand (population: 515) was separated to become the new Karasjok Municipality.

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county.
Previously, it had been part of the old Finnmark county.
The municipality of Kistrand (renamed Porsanger in 1964) was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt).  On 1 January 1851, the southern part of Kistrand (population: 869) was separated to become the new Kautokeino Municipality. On 1 January 1861, the northern part of Kistrand (population: 345) was separated to become the new Kjelvik Municipality.  On 1 January 1866, the southern part of Kistrand (population: 515) was separated to become the new Karasjok Municipality.
On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county. Previously, it had been part of the old Finnmark county.
Porsanger