Registrar of Coat of Arms in Kenya. Coat of Arms is the official shield or seal having an arrangement of bearings, or symbols usually depicted on and around a shield in a special language described as heraldry which uses symbolic short hand.
Coat of Arms is a sophisticated symbol of identity that is used mainly by Central and Local Governments, Unions, distinguished families, Educational, Civic and Ecclesiastical institutions.
The Coat of Arms constitutes the highest statement in graphic form of an Organization’s mission and aspirations and is displayed prominently in the Organization’s premises, correspondence, certificates.
WHAT IS A BLAZON?
A blazon is the formal defining description of a Coat of Arms in Heraldic language.
To emblazon is to decorate something or to depict an armorial bearing in graphic form.
A person, Institution or other body in Kenya may obtain a Grant of Arms locally and those who already possess such a Grant issued outside Kenya may also have it registered locally.
WHO CAN REGISTER ARMS?
According to the law, any person who desires a grant of arms may apply to the College of Arms.
Others who can apply for grants of arms include but are not limited to:
- Individual persons
- National and County Governments
- Government Departments and Agencies
- Defense force Units
- Corporations
- Hospitals
- Churches
- Professional Institutes and Associations
- Schools, Colleges, Technical Colleges and Universities
- Social and Sports Clubs.
- Companies
- Boards
- Others.
How to Register Arms in Kenya
- Registration of Arms falls under the College of Arms Act, Cap 98, and Laws of Kenya.
- Arms have been defined in the College of Arms Act, Cap 98 to mean any Coat of Arms, Crest, Seal or other armorial bearing.
- An Applicant may apply for a local or foreign registration of Arms.
- The approval to register Arms is granted by the College of Arms which constitutes the Attorney General as the Chairman, and four other members appointed by the Attorney General. The members are required to be experts in Heraldry.
Registration Procedure
REGISTRATION OF LOCAL COAT OF ARMS:
- Applicant submits six coloured copies of the proposed Coat of Arms With blazon covering 75% of A4 paper, completes Form CA1 and pays Kshs 10,000/=.
- The application together with the proposed Coat of Arms and the Blazon is placed before the College of Arms for deliberation;
- If approved, the Secretariat advises the client to pay for the Vellum Parchment for purpose of engrossment at a cost of Kshs. 26,000/=.
- The applicant collects the Vellum Parchment for engrossment;
- Engrossed Grant is then delivered to the Coat of Arms Registry for execution;
- The executed Grant of Arms is required to be framed and a photo measuring 13cm by 17cm of the framed executed Grant submitted to the Registry for record purpose;
- The Registrar publishes the executed Grant of Arms in the Kenya Gazette.
REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN COAT OF ARMS:
- Applicant submits six coloured copies of certified copy of Grant of Arms duly granted by a proper Authority;
- Completes Form CA2 and pays Kshs 5,000/=;
- Application is placed before the College of Arms for consideration;
- If approved, the Registrar publishes the executed Grant of Arms in the Kenya Gazette.
