College of Arms

2. How the College of Arms works

The College of Arms, although a branch of the Royal household, is self-supporting. It has always been the case (and continues to be so) that the funds needed for the maintenance of the College building, and the preservation of its records are derived from the fees payable upon grants of arms, and not from public funds.

The College of Arms - the Waiting Room, where enquirers are seen

Each officer of arms conducts his own practice in heraldry and genealogy, and charges fees to undertake research. The heralds and pursuivants take it in turn, a week at a time, to be the officer on duty who deals with all letters, faxes, Emails, and telephone calls addressed generally to the College. The officer in waiting, as he is termed, also sees those who make enquiries in person. He advises on whether he would be able to assist in a particular heraldic or genealogical problem, what research he would recommend and what fee would be payable for it. He will also arrange for the examination and recording in the College registers of pedigrees; and for the preparation under his supervision of a range of heraldic artwork. Any person who approaches the officer in waiting and employs him on some task becomes that herald's client.

The College is open each weekday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

When an officer of arms is the agent for a grant of arms he is remunerated for his work on the case, and related expenses, by a payment out of the fees a petitioner pays to the College.

Next chapter: The records and collections of the College of Arms

About the College of Arms: index