SEE SAMPLE REGISTRATIONS BELOW! The Pontifical Roman-Ruthenian Institute of Heraldry is the principal heraldic authority for the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia. As such, it is the official authority responsible for heraldry for the former Imperial Kingdom of Italy, which was established by Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne in 855 until the rise of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy in 1801. Additionally, it is the heraldic authority for the former Pontifical Kingdom of Ruthenia, which ruled from 1199 to 1349. Since then, the Pontifical Roman-Ruthenian Institute of Heraldry remains a traditional source for coats of arms for those of Italian and Russian (Ruthenian) heritage. It particularly specializes in Roman and Italian-heritage coats of arms associated with the Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire (different from the Savoy Kingdom of Italy and the current Italian Republic), as well as Ruthenian coats of arms related to the Pontifical Imperial State (distinct from the later Romanov Dynasty or the current Russian Federation).

The Pontifical Roman-Ruthenian Institute of Heraldry is under the sovereign ecclesiastical authority of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church (Stato Pontificio Imperiale di Roma-Rutena), which is separate from and not affiliated with modern Vatican City-State or any other civil state. The Institute is headed by the Imperial Chronicler King of Arms, also known as the Imperial Russo-Italian Chronicler King of Arms Although historically connected to the heritage of territories once part of the Roman Empire, Holy Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of Ruthenia, according to its rules, the Pontifical Roman-Ruthenian Institute of Heraldry can register or grant coats of arms to all individuals, regardless of their heritage or residency. Furthermore, it has ecclesiastical authority in certifying genealogy and titles of nobility. NEED HELP DESIGNING A COAT OF ARMS? We have heraldic specialists. Contact us now!

General registrations are recorded with an 8.5x11 inch document containing a high-quality rendering of the coat of arms, the name and details (including titles and honours, if any) of the grantee, and the ink seal of the Imperial Chronicler King of Arms. A single colour and a single black-and-white line art digital image are provided. This level is only available for a shield only or for a shield with mantling. Gold Book registrations and grants of coats of arms are recorded with an A2 size Document containing a high-quality rendering of the coat of arms, the name and details (including titles and honours, if any) of the grantee, and both the ink seal and the wax seal (in a heavy brass box) of the Imperial Chronicler King of Arms. Arms are rendered in a standard format on the registration document according to the traditions of the Pontifical Roman-Ruthenian Institute of Heraldry. All coats of arms are subject to approval before grants are issued. Colour and black-and-white line art digital images are provided according to the type and number appropriate to the registration type. Registrations/grants entail a customary non-profit donation to the Church. Levels for registration and grants are as follows (with typical donation levels to the Church, which are subject to change).

Seal in box pendant from a blue ribbon from the heraldic grant document.

1. General Registration/Grant: USD 200 2. Gold Book Registration/Grant: USD 700 3. Gold Book Registration/Grant with Supporters: USD 1000 4. Gold Book Registration/Grant with Mantle or Mantle and Pavilion: USD 1500 5. Gold Book Registration/Grant with Supporters and Mantle or Mantle and Pavilion: USD 2000 General Notes on Design Customs Arms begin with digitised line art to ensure consistency of style.  Once the design is fixed, colour is blocked in to ensure correctness.  After the colours are confirmed, digital hand painting and custom enhancements begin. Although there is a certain style of the Institute that is maintained, since the final product is digitally embellished by hand, each coat of arms design is unique.   Above: Sample completed rendering of a coat of arms. 1. Arms may be granted to gentlemen or ladies of good reputation at the discretion of the Imperial Chronicler King of Arms. 2. New coats of arms consistant with the traditions of heraldry and the Institute may be designed with the assistance of the Institute.  3. Supporters are typically only granted to nobles of the rank of Baron or higher. 4. A mantle is only granted to members of houses with baronial rank or higher. The royal mantle, i.e, the mantle with pavilion, is only granted to those sovereign houses above the rank of Duke and Prince. 5. Ecclesiastical arms for clerics are granted typically under the same provisions as their secular counterparts. Click here to Contact the Pontifical Roman-Ruthenian Institute of Heraldry DISCLAIMER All requests for grants, designs, and registrations are subject to approval by the Imperial Chronicler King of Arms for correctness according to relevant tradition, rules, and customs of its parent organization, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia. Coats of arms obtained from "family name stores" and the like that purport to be "the ancient arms" of a certain family are not registered here because they often are the heraldic property of someone else. The Imperial Chronicler King of Arms reserves the right to refuse registration, grant, or design services for any reason.