Anyone may nominate someone else for an honour or decoration. There are then six steps before an honour is conferred. The last step is when the King signs a royal decree.

Step 1: The municipal official

An application form plus supporting documents are submitted to a municipal official in the place the nominee lives.

Step 2: The mayor

The mayor drafts a recommendation, focusing on any special services performed by the nominee and suggesting a suitable occasion for awarding the honour. 

Step 3: The King’s Commissioner

The mayor’s recommendation is forwarded to the King’s Commissioner in the province concerned, together with the form and supporting documents. The King’s Commissioner also issues a recommendation.

Step 4: The Civil Honours Council

All documents are then sent to the Chancery of the Netherlands Orders in The Hague, where the Civil Honours Council makes a final recommendation. 

Step 5: The minister

The minister responsible receives the final recommendation and decides whether the nominee’s name is put forward to His Majesty the King.

Step 6: The King

The ministry draws up a royal decree and presents it to the King. Without the King’s signature, no honours can be awarded.