Canadian Heraldic Authority

The Canadian Heraldic Authority (CHA) is the government service that creates coats of arms, flags and badges. It works to the highest standards of the art form, and its practices are at an international level of excellence.

The work of the CHA includes:

  • The creation of arms, flags and badges
  • The recording of historical emblems
  • The approval of badges and flags of the Canadian Armed Forces
  • The recording of First Nations emblems
  • The promotion of Canadian heraldry

The CHA was created in 1988 when the governor general of Canada was authorized by Letters Patent to exercise the Sovereign’s powers related to heraldry in Canada. The governor general is the head of the CHA, and appoints its officers, who are called heralds.

Find out how to apply for a coat of arms, flag and badge.

The Heralds

The work of the Canadian Heraldic Authority is done by officers known as heralds of arms.

Since the Middle Ages, the job of heralds has been to know all about coats of arms. At the CHA, five heralds design new coats of arms, flags and badges, and two heralds oversee the creation of artwork. The CHA keeps records of historical and present heraldic emblems in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada.

The director of the CHA is the chief herald of Canada.

Contact Us

For all enquiries and requests for heraldic grants, contact the Canadian Heraldic Authority at:

Email:  armorial@gg.ca

Mail:

Chief Herald of Canada
Canadian Heraldic Authority
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa  ON  K1A 0A1
CANADA

Telephone: 1-800-465-6890

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HeraldryHeraldique