Hessian Order of Merit / Hessian Order of Merit on Ribbon

  • Performance specification

    The Hessian Order of Merit is awarded by the Prime Minister of Hesse in recognition of outstanding services to the State of Hesse and its people to men and women without regard to residence or nationality in two stages, as an Order of Merit and as an Order of Merit with Ribbon.

    Due to the high rank of the award, the number of recipients and the number of awards is limited.
    The Hessian Order of Merit was established on 1 December 1989 by the then Prime Minister Dr. Walter Wallmann on the anniversary of the entry into force of the Constitution of the State of Hesse.

    The Hessian Order of Merit on Ribbon was additionally established in 1998 by the then Prime Minister Hans Eichel.

  • Which documents are required?

    In principle, any citizen may nominate another fellow citizen for the award of the Order of Merit of Hesse, irrespective of whether the persons concerned are resident in Hesse.

    If possible, the suggestion should contain the following information about the person to be awarded:

    • First name and surname,
    • Residential address,
    • Date of birth,
    • Presentation of the nature, extent and duration of the special services rendered to the State of Hesse and the general welfare,
    • where appropriate, reference persons or organisations that can comment on the proposal.


  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    The suggestion is possible at any time. Due to the large number of statements required, an order procedure regularly takes several months.

  • Legal basis

    Decree on the Foundation of the Hessian Order of Merit of 01.12.1989 as amended on 05.09.2008

    Decree on the Foundation of the Hessian Order of Merit

  • Appeal

    The Hessian Order of Merit (on ribbon) is an award that can (not: must) be conferred. As with all awards, there is no "legal entitlement" to it.

  • What else should I know?

    No "self-initiation" is possible; anyone who initiates their own award cannot expect to be awarded the Order of Merit according to the regulations of the Order.


Who do I need to contact?

A suggestion can be made informally to the Hessian State Chancellery.

Subsequently, the Hessian State Chancellery forwards the proposal to conduct the examination procedure to the competent district administrator or the competent mayor.

 

After all the necessary documents have been submitted, the Hessian Minister President decides on the award of the Order.

Responsible departments