St. Augustine City Seal Now Requires Official Permission

St. Augustine's official city seal, granted by King Philip V of Spain in 1715, now requires written permission from the city before anyone can display it.

The City Commission adopted the Coat of Arms as the official seal in December 1991 and made unauthorized use illegal. In July 2020, commissioners approved Resolution 2020-28, establishing a formal application process for seal use requests. Florida law also penalizes unauthorized use of city seals under sections 775.082 or 775.083.

The seal's history spans centuries. In 1715, St. Augustine residents asked King Philip V to grant the city a coat of arms. Research by Spain's Herald later revealed the king had approved the request on November 26, 1715, but documentation remained lost for 276 years. The city recovered official records on October 12, 1991.

The seal's design draws from Spanish and French heritage. A gold cross divides a 15th-century Spanish shield into four sections. The upper left displays a gold fleur-de-lis on blue, honoring King Philip V's French ancestry and representing generosity, courage, and perseverance. The upper right shows a gold castle with red details, symbolizing Castile's protection and defense. Below, a purple lion from León wears a gold crown and represents royalty and leadership. The final section depicts an armored arm holding a silver sword, commemorating the Spanish military garrison that once occupied the city.