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If you live in, or have visited London, chances are you’ve seen one of the many blue plaques that are tacked onto walls around the city. Typically they commemorate famous Londoners who did something of note in the building the plaque is placed on, but how do they actually decide who gets one?
In fact, the people represented on London’s blue plaques are all nominated by the public. In 2025, famous Londoners who received plaques included Audrey Hepburn, Marc Bolan and Graham Sutherland.
How to nominate someone for a blue plaque
The commemorations might all be from public suggestions, but that doesn’t mean any old person can get one. Members of the public can make nominations by emailing English Heritage with a brief outline of the person and the building they want to nominated. It’s important to make sure they don’t already have a plaque, because only one is allowed per person.
After the initial suggestion English Heritage will be able to let you know if your candidate has already been nominated, or if they have already been turned down before. If they were rejected already, 10 years must pass for the person to be suggested again.
If successful, you’ll be invited to fill out a full application with as much detail as possible. The plaques are finally decided by a panel of experts who meet three times a year. Once a plaque is shortlisted it usually takes two to three years for it to be put up – this is because it must be rigorously researched, and the plaque itself is handmade.
What is the selection criteria?
This is the criteria according to English Heritage.
- At least 20 years must have passed since a candidate’s death.
- At least one building associated with the figure must survive within Greater London (but outside the City of London, which has its own scheme).
- The building must survive in a form that the commemorated person would have recognised, and be visible from a public highway.
- Buildings with many personal associations, such as churches, schools and theatres, are not normally considered for plaques.
- No more than two plaques are allowed on one building.
- Only one plaque is erected per person.
You can see all the information on blue plaques, including nomination forms, on the English Heritage website here.
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