Last year, the first state decoration was awarded to distinguished fathers; 48 people received the decoration. The decoration is a medal of the First Class with a Gold Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland.
The medals awarded on Father's Day are awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves through exemplary work in raising children and young people and in promoting family life and parenting.
The application for Father's Day decorations for 2026 has now started. The President of the Republic will present the decorations awarded by the Orders on Father's Day on November 8, 2026, at a national celebration organized by the Finnish Population Association.
Citizens and organizations must submit their proposals for the recipient of the medal to the Licensing and Supervision Authority. Applying for the Father's Day Medal is free of charge, as are the medals awarded to fathers.
Who can receive the Father's Day Medal of Honor?
The minimum age for candidates is 40. The aim is for the fathers receiving the award to represent as many different groups as possible.
In addition to exemplary educational work and the promotion of family life and parenting, the justification for the badge can be the implementation of a broader shared responsibility educational task in, for example, child protection and family organizations, youth and sports organizations or other social organizations. However, a badge of honor is not awarded to a breeder.
Who can propose a Father's Day badge?
Your own children can make a nomination for the award. In that case, it must include at least two reliable, independent supporting statements from organizations or other entities that know the family in question well. If the Father's Day award is proposed for a father other than the biological father, e.g. a father in a foster, foster or support family, the nomination would also benefit from a letter of support from a child who knows the family well and has lived with the family.
Other relatives, acquaintances and neighbours can also take the initiative in proposing medals, but in this case the person proposing the medal must be an authority, organisation or other community. Relatives, acquaintances and neighbours must therefore be in contact with a party that could make the proposal.
What does the Licensing and Supervision Agency pay attention to in its proposal to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health?
Based on the proposals for medals we receive, we will make a proposal to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health about the recipients of the medal.
In our proposal to the ministry, we noted that the candidates for the award represent fathers equally in terms of age. The number of children is not a determining factor for the award. We also take into account equal regional distributions in our proposal for the award.
How do I apply for the Father's Day Medal?
Father's Day medal proposals must be submitted using the Order of the Order's medal proposal form and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health's appendix.
- Order of Orders formLink to another siteOpens in new tabOpens in new tab (ritarikunnat.fi)
- Ministry's attachment formLink to another siteOpens in a new tabOpens in a new tab (opens as a downloadable word file)
Proposals for the award of a badge of honour, together with their attachments, must be submitted in original, signed copies and in duplicate by post no later than 16 March 2026 to the registry of the Licensing and Supervision Authority. The address is:
Licensing and Supervision Agency
Registry Office
PL 20
13035 LVV
