Any person may make a nomination for a UK National Honour and these are usually for the Order of the British Empire. A nomination form is available from the Cabinet Office website at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ceremonial/. Alternatively you can request a form from the Office of the Clerk of the Lieutenancy.
A guidance leaflet will be sent with the nomination form:
The key points are as follows:
- The underling principle of honours is that they are given to people from all walks of life and all sections of society who have made a difference to their community.
- The number of honours available is strictly limited and therefore, however, valuable their service, not all those nominated can receive recognition. It is important for nominators to realise that an honour will not automatically follow the submission of an nomination however, strong. The type and level of award need not be stated.
- There are no deadlines for the receipt of nomination forms, but their consideration is likely to take at least 12 to 18 months. It is normal for awards to be made to people who are still active in the field to which the nomination relates. Nomination should therefore be made while the nominee is still active.
- Honours lists are published at New Year and on the occasion of The Sovereign’s official birthday. Nominators will need to check the published lists in national newspapers to see if their nominee is successful, as no separate notification is sent.
- If after two years, a nominee has not been successful it may be assumed that the nomination has lapsed. A renomination may be made but a different outcome is unlikely unless the nominee has had additional achievements.
- All nominations for honours are treated in the strictest confidence. The nominee should not be informed that they have been nominated, as it is not fair to raise expectations in case they are not met.
- As will be seen from the nomination form, letters of support may be sent with the nomination, and these should be from others who have firsthand knowledge of and can endorse the nominee’s contribution.
- This requirement of firsthand knowledge applies equally to the Lord-Lieutenant, and so it would be inappropriate for nominators to seek a letter of support from the Lord-Lieutenant unless this condition is met.
