Record series
Register of Letters Patent
VPRS 7586
1855 - present
Open
North Melbourne
Agencies
This record series was created by:
Chief Secretary's Department ( VA475 ): 1855 - 1979
Department of Premier and Cabinet ( VA1039 ): 1979 - 2023
Agencies responsible for this record series: Department of Premier and Cabinet ( VA 1039 ): 1982 - by 2023
Date Range
Series date range: 1855 - present
Series in custody:
1866 - 2014
Contents in custody:
1866 - 2014
Function / Content
This series consists of original Letters Patent conferred by the Crown on various individuals. A Letter Patent is an open letter from the British Sovereign conferring a particular right of title. These should not be confused with patents granted by the Crown for lands, commercial inventions, etc. Letters Patent are required for individuals appointed to such positions as Governor, Deputy Governor, Queen's Counsel, Executive Councillor, Minister, Supreme or County Court judge and Royal Commissioner.The Patent itself takes the form of a single page printed document addressed to the recipient setting out the particular commission. It is signed by the Governor and a Government representative, usually the Premier, Attorney-General or Chief Secretary.
How to use the records
Consult the record item list to determine the relevant volume number for the required date range.Recordkeeping system
The volumes in the series are arranged chronologically.The series in custody currently consists of two volumes covering the periods 1866-1870 and 1955-1963 with the number 13 and 33 emblazoned on the spine respectively, and as at 2024 a new consignment containing volumes 35-45 covering the period 1970 to 2014. The whereabouts of the earlier volumes in the series is subject to further research.
Patents have been placed in chronological order within the volume by the Under-Secretary of the Chief Secretary's Department. An alphabetical index inside the front cover lists either the name and/or the title of the recipient of the Patent and a page reference. Duplicate copies of Patents may be found in other Public Record Office series, most notably within the various file series of the Governor.
