The Royal Heraldic College of Georgia is a Royal Institution of the Royal House of Georgia responsible for managing and granting armorial bearings, heraldic emblems, and other heraldic matters. The College operates under the auspices of the Royal House of Georgia. We are not a government office of the independent country of Georgia.

The College 

• Grants and registers armorial bearings (coats of arms), heraldic badges, flags, and other emblems
• Consults on heraldic matters
• Provides professionally prepared Letters Patent for granted arms

Grant of Arms
You may require a Grant of Arms if:  

• Your arms are assumed
• You have not previously held armorial bearings
• Your existing arms were not conferred by an official state heraldic authority or the heraldic authority of a recognized non-regnant royal house 
• You hold arms but are unable to provide sufficient evidence of their regular use by your family across an extended period

Registration of Arms
You may be eligible to register your arms if:  

• Your arms have been officially granted by a recognized state heraldic authority
• Your arms were conferred by the heraldic authority of a recognized non-regnant royal house
• You can provide evidence that your family has consistently used these arms over multiple generations

If your arms have already been granted or registered by the College, any heraldic additions —such as a new medal or a coronet awarded due to an elevation in status — can be added to your arms as either an augmentation or a grant of additional heraldic emblems.

• Augmentations are modifications made to your coat of arms to reflect a change in status. These include supporters, coronets of rank, mantles and other emblems. 
• Grants of additional emblems refer to new elements, such as flags or badges, that are granted alongside (or in addition to) your existing coat of arms.

Any such amendment(s) will be recorded, and a new Letters Patent will be issued, showing the updated arms and describing them in official heraldic language (known as Blazon).

Fees are charged for each additional heraldic emblem, as detailed in Section 2: Augmentations & Grants of Additional Emblems of our Pricelist available here.

Once your Letters Patent are completed, your arms are entered into the official Register of Arms of the Royal House of Georgia. The College maintains a digital and physical record for archival purposes. You may view a selection of recent grants and registrations here.

Processing a Grant of Arms typically takes under five months, depending on applicant volume, design complexity, and artwork production; those with clear concepts are completed more quickly. Registration of existing arms is usually much faster, often under two months. Patience is appreciated as all applications are handled in the order received and are processed as efficiently as possible.

Fees vary depending on your request and are listed in our pricelist. 

Most petitioners will need to budget for the following three items:

• Grant or Registration fee
• Exemplification (artwork) fee (Artwork must be done in-house; no external artwork is allowed.)
• Letters Patent fee (A digital patent in PDF format is provided to the armiger; physical patents are available at separate pricing tiers.)

For a detailed quote, please contact the College.

Only titles and honors conferred by the Royal House of Georgia may be referenced in the petitioner's Letters Patent. This includes membership in orders of chivalry and other medals. Similarly, only heraldic elements pertaining to honors and decorations granted by the Royal House of Georgia may be depicted in the exemplification (artwork) of arms.

That said, there is a process in place for the authorization of non-Georgian titles that have been conferred by other legitimate and established Royal Houses, whether regnant or non-regnant. This results in a courtesy recognition that neither grants Georgian nobility nor incorporates the foreign title into the Georgian nobiliary system. Such individuals will be recognized with their title and style in all events, publications, diplomas, proclamations, letters patent, and other official documents of the Royal House of Georgia when appropriate.

Individuals who hold a recognized non-Georgian title do not enjoy the full heraldic privileges accorded to Georgian nobles, such as the use of Georgian coronets of rank or princely or ducal mantles. The College, however, does generally acknowledge the heraldic insignia of rank—such as coronets, chapeaux, and similar emblems—granted by the issuing authority. Moreover, recognized non-Georgian nobles who are members of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia are likewise permitted the heraldic use of the capitular mantle of the Order.

Each case is reviewed separately, and the decision to grant heraldic privileges remains entirely at the discretion of the Royal House and the Royal Heraldic College of Georgia.

For more information, you may contact the Office of Nobility here.

Visit the official website of the Royal House of Georgia at www.royalhouseofgeorgia.ge

No. As a fully volunteer organization, we do not receive any remuneration or monetary compensation for our services to the Royal House of Georgia. Furthermore, we are not employees of, nor do we maintain any contractual obligations with, the Royal House. 

This website lacks the capacity to receive payments. All fees must be paid directly to the Royal House of Georgia with the exception of artwork and physical letters patents. 

No. The mantle of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia is a purely heraldic device and is not available as a physical object. 

A Grant of Arms is the formal authorization by the Georgian Crown to an individual or organization to bear specific armorial bearings (a coat of arms). This grant signifies recognition and honor from the Crown.

The granting of armorial bearings and heraldic emblems is considered an honor bestowed by the Georgian Crown. Petitioners must submit a curriculum vitae (or resume) via email to the Royal Heraldic College of Georgia for review, enabling the College to assess eligibility.

Members of the Royal Georgian Orders, recipients of Crown merit medals, and those holding noble titles conferred or recognized by the Georgian Crown or a recognized fons honorum, provided they remain in good standing, are automatically eligible due to their recognized status.

Individuals of merit seeking to have their arms granted or registered by the Royal Heraldic College of Georgia, under the authority of the Royal House of Georgia, are invited to submit a petition. Each petitioner will be evaluated individually based on the credentials they provide.

Submit a petition to [email protected] An officer of arms will contact you to gather the necessary information and documents. Eligibility will be assessed, and you'll be informed on whether your petition is authorized to proceed. You may download petitions and other relevant documents here.

The process includes:

• Petitioning: Submit your request and supporting documents.
• Review and Authorization: Your petition is evaluated, and fees are issued upon approval.
• Concept & Design Development: Collaborate with an officer of arms to design your armorial bearings.
• Exemplification (Artwork): We will paint your finalized arms.
• Grant of Arms: Receive a digital Letters Patent with your emblazonment and blazon.
• Letters Patent: Opt for a professional or illuminated document representing your arms.

Arms are inherited by direct descendants of the original grantee regardless of his/her sex, provided they bear the original grantee's surname (whether alone or as part of a compound name). However, exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Head of the Royal House.

Short answer: Arms are first granted to an individual, but after that person’s death they become the shared family arms, inherited in undifferenced form by all male and female descendants who bear the same surname.

Long answer: While the arms granted by the College belong personally to the original recipient, they become family arms after that person’s death. This is because, unlike in the heraldic system of, for example, the United Kingdom, all male and female descendants of the original armiger who bear the same surname (even as part of a compound surname) inherit the undifferenced arms, which then become the arms of the house. 

This approach follows traditional Georgian heraldic practice, which is closer to the German and Russian systems than to British or Canadian practice, as arms are used throughout the family. It also allows the system to be gender-neutral and flexible, while still functioning in a relatively traditional way, since most families pass their surname through the male line.

Please note that although the undifferenced arms of the family are held at the same time by all such descendants, the rules for nobiliary titles are different. Even though the entire family is ennobled, only one individual holds the title at any given time.

If the children or other direct descendants of a grantee do not bear the grantee's surname, whether alone or as part of a compound name, they are generally not eligible to inherit the arms under the default rules. However, they may either legally change their surname or request a special dispensation to permit the transmission of arms to their descendants. Once such a dispensation is granted, the arms will follow the standard rules of succession for the recipient’s descendants.

Yes, women can inherit and pass on arms. Regardless of their sex, all descendants of the original grantee who carry their surname—either alone or as part of a compound name—may inherit their arms. If a woman's descendants do not share her surname, they may request special permission from the Royal House of Georgia in order to inherit her arms.

The Head of the Royal House of Georgia can define unique inheritance or differencing rules for individual grants of arms at their discretion. These decisions are recorded in the grantee’s letters patent. Petitioners may request these changes, and the College provides guidance in such cases. Alternate systems may be implemented subject to fees, but the default inheritance system applies unless explicitly altered.

Differencing is not mandatory, but descendants may petition for a new grant of arms that includes permanent differences to establish a distinct armorial identity for their family branch.

Yes, arms that have been granted or registered in other recognized jurisdictions may also be registered with the College, allowing them to become part of the heraldic regulations and traditions of the Royal House of Georgia.

Historic Georgian arms, including those granted before 2023, can be registered with the College under the rules that applied at their time of issuance. Armigers can also request to align their arms with the contemporary inheritance rules of the Royal House.

No. The College does not grant arms to deceased persons. Where appropriate, descendants may instead petition in their own right or seek the registration or recognition of historically borne arms, subject to the College’s regulations and evidentiary requirements.

The College works closely with petitioners to develop and design their armorial bearings into a heraldically correct device that represents both the individual and future generations. Assistance is provided from the initial concept stage through to the finalization of the design, ensuring it meets both the petitioner’s vision and the College’s standards. Petitioners are welcome to present their own ideas or sketches, and the College offers creative input and guidance from the very beginning.

For those starting from scratch or looking to refine a concept, a detailed questionnaire is available. This questionnaire explores personal values, interests, and favorite themes to help inspire and shape the design process. The College also provides tips for creating strong and effective heraldic designs. Once the concept takes shape, an initial rough sketch is prepared and shared with the petitioner for review, feedback, and any necessary revisions. 

When the design process is complete, all proposed arms are thoroughly reviewed and approved by the College before being finalized. This ensures that every armorial bearing is both distinctive and properly aligned with heraldic tradition.

While the College will assist you, strong designs typically incorporate simplicity, symbolism, and adherence to heraldic traditions.

To ensure consistency and adherence to the College’s standards, all artwork used in grants and registrations is to be completed solely by the College’s two appointed artists: Herald Master Kingsley, as the official artist of the College, and Tania Crossingham, the College's Herald Painter.

An exemplification is the final painted, professional depiction of your armorial bearings. It is a vital part of the process that ensures the emblazonment meets the College's standards. This artwork is submitted digitally for official record-keeping.

The goal is to create a straightforward version of the Blazon for clarity and record-keeping, while leaving room for artistic additions in later, more detailed renderings.

Including too many elements or honors in the exemplification could create visual clutter. A straightforward version ensures the blazon is clear and properly documented for official records.

​When reviewing exemplifications (or preliminary sketches for that matter), focus on the substance, not the style. Overlook minor details or artistic elements, as your arms will be based solely on the written description called the blazon, and not the artwork provided or even the exemplification on your letters patent. Your arms can be correctly depicted in any artistic style.

For reasons of both logistics and artistic coherence, only honors (including titles, membership in orders of chivalry and medals) granted by the Royal House of Georgia shall be depicted in the exemplification. Similarly, references to any titles, honors, or medals held by the petitioner must be limited to those conferred by the Royal House of Georgia.

 Please refer to our pricelist for the current exemplification fee.

 Absolutely. Please refer to our Gallery of Recent Grants and Registrations.

A Letters Patent is the formal document issued by the College after a Grant of Arms has been authorized. It outlines your heraldic rights, includes your exemplification (artwork), and describes your coat of arms in heraldic terms (blazon).

The College offers three levels of Letters Patent documentation:

• Option A: Multi-Page Letter-Sized Document 
• Option B: Professional Print and branded document holder
• Option C: Illuminated Manuscript on calfskin vellum

Each format varies in detail, finish, and pricing. 

Please refer to our pricelist for the current fees.

Yes, we are pleased to offer Letters Patent in Georgian upon request. Additionally, Georgian petitioners benefit from significantly reduced fees, in deference to the enduring bonds between the Georgian people and the Royal House of Georgia.

For international applicants, English is the default language, although we can provide Letters Patent in Georgian and Spanish upon request. For other languages that use the Latin alphabet, we are flexible and will work with the petitioner. Please note that requests for languages other than English, Georgian, or Spanish may require additional time and incur extra fees.

The cost of physical Letters Patent varies depending on the selected option. For up-to-date fees fees, please consult our pricelist. Below is an overview of the available options.

Option A is a multi-page letter-sized document (8.5 x 11 inches) printed on archival paper, bound with a red ribbon, and sealed with the wax seal of the Royal House of Georgia. The inside pages feature the signature of the Herald Master and the embossed seal of the College. It is stored in a branded presentation folder. This document is not suitable for framing.

For those who wish to display their arms or desire a more substantial presentation for their Letters Patent, Option B represents an excellent and reasonably priced choice. This option provides a professionally printed 11x14 inch document on durable archival paper, elegantly housed within an embossed, padded document cover. The design is the work of Herald Master Kingsley and includes a decorative border of traditional Georgian motifs, skillfully rendered by Herald Painter Tania Crossingham. It bears the wax seal of the Royal House of Georgia and the signature of the Herald Master. The document holder is adorned with the arms of the Royal House of Georgia, the Royal Heraldic College of Georgia, and the Herald Master of Arms, accompanied by a border of traditional Georgian motifs, all in refined gilded tones. Inside, the same decorative elements are reproduced in full color on lustrous moiré fabric lining the inside flap of the document holder, while the document is fastened with ribbon corners.

For those with a taste for truly exquisite craftsmanship, Option C, priced between €3,900 and €8,500, offers an extraordinary hand-painted illuminated manuscript created in the medieval tradition. Each magnificent piece is meticulously rendered on calfskin vellum and painted by Tania Crossingham, the College's Herald Painter, ensuring each letters patent is both unique and timeless.

Archival-quality materials extend the lifespan of documents by preventing deterioration. For example, archival paper will not yellow or become brittle over time because these materials are acid-free, pH-neutral, and free from harmful chemicals. In addition, thoughtful design choices provide extra layers of protection to support proper storage, preservation, and sustainable disposal. For instance, our cardboard boxes and paper-based tape are fully recyclable.

Although archival-quality options can be more expensive or harder to source, we have made every effort to procure as many of these materials as possible. For example, the paper stock used for our letters patent, the clear document protector sleeves, and even wrapping tissue paper are archival-quality. We are actively working towards ensuring that all of our materials are archival.

• Once payment is required, the College will provide you with payment details and options.
• We offer a variety of payment methods for your convenience.
• All currency conversions follow the mid-market exchange rate. 
• For up-to-date fees, please consult our pricelist.

All currency conversions follow the mid-market exchange rate.

Fees vary depending on your request and are listed in our pricelist. 

Most petitioners will need to budget for the following three items:

• Grant or Registration fee
• Exemplification (artwork) fee (Must be done in-house; no external artwork is accepted.)
• Letters Patent fee (A digital patent in PDF format is provided to the armiger; physical patents are available at separate pricing tiers.)

For a detailed quote, please contact the College.

No. All packages shipped outside of the United States are subject to the import laws of the destination country. The College is not responsible for any customs duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), or brokerage fees incurred upon delivery. These charges are the sole responsibility of the recipient and are not included in the College’s service fees. 

As a courtesy, if a shipment is refused due to unpaid duties, the College will hold the item for the client or resend it to a provided United States address at no additional cost.

The College primarily dispatches official documents via UPS (United Parcel Service) to ensure secure, tracked delivery. In specific instances—such as regional courier restrictions or where UPS service is unavailable at the time of dispatch—the United States Postal Service (USPS) or an alternative carrier may be utilized to better serve the petitioner.

• Tracking: A tracking number will be sent via email once the shipment has been processed.
• International Fees: Please note that all shipments outside the US are subject to customs fees, duties, or VAT at the recipient's expense.

• For general inquiries: email us through our Contact section or directly at [email protected]
• To send your Petition (application) and any other supporting materials: [email protected]
• To contact the Herald Master directly: [email protected]

The Royal Heraldic College of Georgia operates as a dependency of the Royal House of Georgia, located in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is a volunteer-led endeavor that functions entirely online, allowing it to serve petitioners globally. The Herald Master of Arms is based in New York City, while the Herald Painter is located in Helsinki, Finland. Additionally, the College works with consultants specializing in areas such as Georgian, Latin and blazon, who are stationed in various parts of the world.

Our mailing address is:
Royal Heraldic College of Georgia 
1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor #3243
New York, NY 10001
USA

Please send correspondence to:
Royal Heraldic College of Georgia 
1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor #3243
New York, NY 10001
USA.