Any person who wishes to use Arms must petition for a Grant of Arms or - if they can trace their ancestry back to an ancestor who had a grant of Arms - a "matriculation" showing their place within the family. When a grant, or matriculation, of Arms is obtained, an illuminated parchment, narrating the pedigree as proved, is supplied to the Petitioner, and a duplicate is recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland.
UK and British Commonwealth. Anyone domiciled in Scotland, or those of Scottish ancestry domiciled in the Commonwealth, excepting Canada and South Africa which have their own heraldic authorities, can apply to the Lord Lyon King of Arms of Scotland for a grant of Arms. Those domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland should approach the College of Arms in London, while those domiciled in the Republic of Ireland should approach the Chief Herald of Ireland in Dublin.
Foreign Countries. Arms are not generally granted to non-British citizens (though those of Scottish ancestry can apply to the Lord Lyon King of Arms for cadet matriculations, as above described). Foreigners of Scottish descent can sometimes arrange for a cousin living in Scotland, or in the Commonwealth, to receive Arms from the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and thereafter themselves to obtain a cadet matriculation.
