Request a ceremonial proclamation, greeting or letter

On January 15, 2025, a new governor will take office. Ceremonial requests and requests for Governor Inslee to attend meetings and events after January 15 will be denied. Once the governor-elect is sworn in on January 15, you can once again submit meeting and ceremonial requests but may experience a change in how requests are processed. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during this transition. If you have questions, please contact us at (360) 902-4111.

The governor welcomes invitations to recognize special occasions within Washington.

All requests must adhere to the following guidelines. Due to the volume received, not all requests may be fulfilled. Contact us at 360-902-4111 with questions.

To request a recorded video greeting, please submit your request on our events page.

Guidelines

  1. Submit requests at least 45 days before the desired delivery date.
  2. Requests must come from Washington residents. Even national, international, and out-of-state organizations must file a request through a resident.
  3. Please include draft language and background information in your request.
  4. We may approve or decline requests, even if similar requests were granted in the past.
  5. We may amend the wording of provided language.
  6. For recurring events, please file a new request each year.
  7. Ceremonial proclamations, greetings or letters do not imply an endorsement.
  8. Once issued by the Governor’s Office, a ceremonial message may not be altered.

On this page

Request a ceremonial proclamation

Ceremonial proclamations honor or highlight an issue of statewide significance. They generally recognize an honorary day, week, or month.

Proclamation Guidelines:

  1. We do not issue ceremonial proclamations intended to recognize individuals, organizations or businesses. In extremely rare circumstances, exceptions may be made for late individuals with historical significance or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Washington or the United States. A request to honor an individual, family, specific organization, or group of organizations will qualify as a request for a commendation, which may be requested here.
  2. No proclamation or portion of a proclamation may be used as part of a paid advertisement without written permission from the Governor’s Office.
  3. The Governor’s Office reserves the right to deny, without further comment, any proclamation request, regardless of whether a similar request was accommodated in previous years. A proclamation neither indicates nor implies the Governor’s support of any given issue or project.
  4. If your proclamation is of local significance, please direct the request  to local authorities such as county or city officials.
  5. The Governor’s Office issues proclamations on subjects of general interest to a broad group of residents. We want to recognize a subject in its broadest sense rather than a narrow interest within a larger movement.
  6. If you include statistics in a proclamation request, please include a link to a credible source that is supported by evidence. We may deny a proclamation request if references are not included. Include reference language such as, “according to …”
  7. You may not alter the text of the issued document in any way without the consent from the Governor’s Office.
  8. Please do not make announcements or plans for the proclamation until you have received confirmation from us. Additionally, if you feel the media may have an interest in your proclamation, it will be your responsibility to contact the media outlets.
  9. We review requests on a case-by-case basis and issue proclamations at the Governor's discretion. We do not automatically renew recurring proclamations, so make a new request each year. We reserve the right to edit all draft language. These documents are strictly ceremonial, not legally binding, and should not be interpreted as a political or policy endorsement of any kind.
  10. Proclamations should not take sides on matters of religious, ideological, or political debate, nor should they address personal or individual convictions. Proclamations also may not take a policy stance (e.g., need for increased funding, change in policy).
  11. Please use the online form on our website to request a proclamation. We will not accept requests by mail, fax, phone, email, or hand delivery.
  12. Proclamations are issued for one period of time only. For example, if “Washington Day” is proclaimed on January 1, then “Washington Week” and “Washington Month” will not be proclaimed in the same calendar year.
  13. If you request a proclamation similar to one already issued, we may supply you with the previously issued proclamation.
  14. Draft language must be in the ceremonial proclamation format, including the WHEREAS sentence structure (see example of ceremonial proclamation format).
  15. Ceremonial proclamations must fit on a single page and be in 12 point font, with room remaining for the signature of the Governor and the seal of the Governor’s Office.

Request a ceremonial proclamation here.

Request a greeting letter

Greeting letters recognize special events held in Washington. These include business and professional conferences, cultural festivals, nonprofit fundraisers, and more. Requests must adhere to the additional guidelines below:

  1. Event greetings are issued only for Washington organizations, or national and international organizations hosting events in Washington.
  2. Event greetings cannot be issued for personal events.

Request a greeting letter here. To request a recorded video greeting, submit an event invite.

Request a ceremonial letter

Ceremonial letters from the Governor are available for birthdays (100 years or older), milestone anniversaries, Scout awards, condolences, and commendations for other achievements.