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The nomination process

There are two ways for people to get nominated:

• by an individual or a public/private sector organisation
• by a government department

When considering someone as a possible candidate for an honour, the sorts of question to ask are:

• what makes the person worthy?
• do they stand out head and shoulders above all the others in the field?
• have they gone the extra mile?
• have they changed things for the better?
• have they delivered in a way to bring distinction?
• do they exemplify sustained and selfless voluntary service?
• have they demonstrated innovative and entrepreneurship?
• do they carry the respect of their peers?
• have they shown sustained achievement against the odds requiring moral courage?

If you think your candidate measures up against these sorts of criteria then download a nomination form and guidance notes.

Nomination forms

Get a copy of the nominations form and read the guidance notes. You can download a nomination pack by using one of the links below. Alternatively, you can write or telephone the Cabinet Secretariat requesting paper copies to be sent to you.

If you would like a copy of the guidance notes in Braille, also contact the Ceremonial Secretariat.

Read the guidance notes carefully and complete the form as fully as possible and ensure that you have the required letters of support.

Return the form to the Cabinet Secretariat. You can send it by post or you can fax it. The Secretariat does not accept e-mails as it requires a signed copy.

Ceremonial Secretariat
Cabinet Office
35 Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BQ

Fax: +44 (0)20 7276 2766

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7276 2777

• Download nomination pack (English) (PDF, 1831K)
• Download nomination pack (Welsh) (PDF, 1834K)

What happens to a nomination

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

As you can imagine, verifying a large number of nominations takes time. That's why she shouldn't expect to hear anything for up to 18 months.

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.

How decisions are made

Which order?

• Senior Civil Servants and military officers may be considered for the Order of the Bath
• Diplomats and others serving the UK abroad may be considered for the Order of St Michael and St George
• anyone may be considered for awards in the Order of the British Empire
• anyone may be considered for the award of Companion of Honour

Which level?

Once the Order has been identified the criteria below are used for deciding the level of award.

• Companion of Honour
  A pre-eminent and sustained contribution in the arts, science, medicine, or government.
• Knight/Dame
  A pre-eminent contribution in any field, usually, but not exclusively at national level, or in a capacity which will be recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally, and which demonstrates sustained commitment
• CBE
  A prominent national role of a lesser degree, or a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs or making a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity
•  OBE
  A distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field, including notable practitioners known nationally
•  MBE
  Service in and to the community of a responsible kind which is outstanding in its field; or very local 'hands-on' service which stands out as an example to others. In both cases awards illuminate areas of dedicated service which merit public recognition

In terms of service the difference is determined by the extent of the person's influence. In terms of achievement the difference is determined by the significance of the person's impact in their chosen profession.

Honours Committees

Full details of the different Honours Committees and their membership is given in the pdf document below.

• Download Honours Committees (PDF, 48K)
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