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How to Nominate

The Honours system is a way to recognise outstanding merit and service to the nation. It's been around for centuries but only since 1993 has the public been able to make nominations themselves. That's where you come in.

Step by step guide to making a nomination

1. What's in it for you?

For starters, knowing you're helping to recognise someone whose efforts may often go unnoticed and unrewarded. And doing so in one of the most highly respected - and nationally celebrated - ways possible.

But there are other reasons, too. When they are honoured, the organisation or area where they work or volunteer is also recognised.

They may hold the Honour, but everyone shares the pride and pleasure it brings.

2. Who can be nominated?

Anyone can be nominated, but only exceptional people are honoured. To be in with a chance of seeing your candidate on the Honours List, make sure your nomination has what it takes to make it all the way to Buckingham Palace. Achievement comes in many forms but what we're looking for is someone who has made a difference in their field of work or community.

Honours can be awarded for all sorts of work - paid or unpaid - but your nominee must still be involved in the activity for which they're nominated.

Has your nominee:

• made a difference to their community or field of work
• brought distinction to British life and enhanced its reputation
• exemplified the best sustained and selfless voluntary service
• demonstrated innovation and entrepreneurship
• carried the respect of their peers
• changed things, with an emphasis on achievement
• improved the lot of those less able to help themselves
• displayed moral courage and vision in making and delivering tough choices

3. Get a copy of the nominations form and read the guidance notes

You can download and print them from this website. Alternatively, you can write, telephone or e-mail us requesting paper copies to be sent to you.

• Nomination form and guidance notes

4. Read the guidance notes carefully and complete the form as fully as possible

You may find our booklet How to Write Citations[PDF 389KB, 4 pages] useful.

5. Ensure that you have the required letters of support

Those writing the letters of support may find our booklet How to Write Citations[PDF 389KB, 4 pages] useful.

6. Find out more

You may wish to consider the honours process, how decisions about honours are made and read some case studies.

• Nominations process
• How decisions are made
• Case studies

7. Return the form to us

You can send it by post, by email or you can fax it.

Cabinet Office
Honours and Appointments Secretariat
Ground Floor
Admiralty Arch
London SW1A

• Fax: +44 (0)20 7276 2766
• E-mail: ceremonial@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

8. The process

Nominations are collated and then sorted according to the nominee's area of expertise by the Ceremonial Secretariat. Expert committees can then compare like with like - for instance, teacher with teacher. The best candidates are put forward to the Prime Minister, who then presents the Committee list and identifies the strongest cases to The Queen.

9. Checking progress

As you can imagine, verifying a large number of nominations takes time. That's why the nominee should not expect to hear anything for 18 months or so. You can contact the Ceremonial Secretariat if you would like to check on progress.

10. The decision

If selected, candidates are sent a letter asking them whether they would be willing to accept an Honour. Almost everyone does and their names will appear in The London Gazette at the New Year or on The Queen's official birthday in June.