Designing a flag
Register a flag
How a flag enters the UK Flag Registry, who can apply, and the free help we offer to communities along the way.
How flags enter the Registry
Local and community flags represent places of all kinds, from historic counties and regions to islands, cities, towns, villages, parishes and neighbourhoods. They must be free for anyone to own and use, and can enter the Registry by:
- An open design competition and public vote, or
- A formal written application from a representative local group, explaining the symbolism of the proposed design and giving clear evidence of provenance and the extent and history of its use
Flags must comply with basic graphical standards and may be an original design or a traditional pattern, for example:
- A traditional flag, such as the St Piran's Cross of Cornwall
- A historic banner of civic arms, such as Cheshire
- A current banner of civic arms, such as Hertfordshire or Northumberland, only if granted formal release for free public use
Flags subject to copyright are ineligible. In keeping with our charitable status and democratic principles, the Flag Institute offers this service entirely free of charge.
Free help and advice
- To run a design competition and public vote
- To enter a flag in the UK Flag Registry
- To report an unlisted flag in common use
Contact our Communities Vexillologist. Designing from scratch? Start with our flag design guidance.
Buy a registered flag
To buy any flag in the UK Flag Registry, please contact a Flag Institute Registered British Flagmaker or Trade Member.