How UK honours work — and how to nominate someone
The honours system recognises people right across the UK — and anyone can put a name forward. This is a plain-English guide to who gets recognised, what nominating involves, and how to nominate someone for the 2027 lists.
What the honours system is
GOV.UK says the honours system recognises people who have “made achievements in public life” and “committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.” They “must still be actively involved in what you’re nominating them for.” Awards range from the British Empire Medal (BEM) and the MBE, OBE and CBE, up to knighthoods and damehoods — see the full list of honours and awards.
Anyone can nominate
In GOV.UK’s words: “Anyone can nominate someone for an honour.” You don’t need to be an official body or know the person professionally — you simply need to make the case for what they’ve done. There are separate routes to nominate someone in the UK, someone overseas, or for a gallantry award. You cannot nominate yourself.
How to nominate someone
- 1Decide who, and why. Choose the person and be clear about what they have done and the difference it has made — to their field, their community or the country. Concrete examples and impact matter more than job titles.
- 2Gather supporting letters. Collect two or more letters of support from people who know the nominee's work and can describe its impact in their own words.
- 3Complete the nomination form. Fill in the official nomination form on GOV.UK. There are separate routes for nominating someone in the UK, someone overseas, and for gallantry awards.
- 4Submit and wait. Send your nomination. You will get an acknowledgement, but may not hear anything else for 12 to 18 months while independent committees assess it.
Start a nomination on the official guidance: gov.uk/honours.
It’s confidential — and free
Nominating someone costs nothing, and nominations are handled in confidence. Independent committees assess every nomination, and people who receive an honour are not told who put them forward.
There’s no deadline — the 2027 lists are being decided now
Nominations are accepted at any time, so there is no single closing date. But it’s a long process: GOV.UK advises that after you submit, “you may not hear anything else for 12 to 18 months.” Honours are announced twice a year — in the New Year list and the King’s Birthday list each June — which means a nomination made today is being considered for the 2027 lists. If there’s someone whose work you admire, now is the time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I nominate myself for an honour?
No. You can nominate another person, but you cannot nominate yourself. The person you put forward should still be actively involved in what you are recognising them for.
Does it cost anything to nominate someone?
No. Nominating someone for a UK honour is free. There is no fee at any stage of the process.
Are nominations confidential?
Yes. Nominations are handled in confidence and assessed by independent committees. People who receive an honour are not told who nominated them.
How long does it take?
Expect a long wait. GOV.UK advises that after submitting you will get an acknowledgement, “but you may not hear anything else for 12 to 18 months.”
Is there a deadline to nominate?
No. Nominations are accepted at any time. Because assessment takes 12 to 18 months, a nomination made now is considered for honours lists around 2027.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Honours and How honours nominations work (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0).
- House of Commons Library — briefings on the honours system.
Honoria is an independent reference and is not affiliated with the Cabinet Office or the honours secretariat. Always check gov.uk/honours for the current official process.