[4][5] This Order was created to reward the civic virtues of civil servants serving the State, Province, or Municipality, as well as the extraordinary services performed by Spanish citizens for the benefit of the Nation.

In all cases, a file was drawn up demonstrating the justification for the reward, and the appointments and diplomas were issued by the Chancellery and Orders Section of the Ministry of State.

This high grade is reserved for decorating Sovereigns and Heads of State and, exceptionally, those of significant standing who already hold the Grand Cross of the Order.

Additionally, decorated ladies are allowed, for aesthetic and functional reasons (given the characteristics of their gala attire), to use a reduced version of the insignia and to wear them differently from men, as specified for each grade in the new Regulations.

Lastly, to enhance the prestige of the distinctions of this Order and ensure that each is duly justified, the current Regulations introduce a detailed exposition of the merits to be considered for its award, the formal requirements that the admission and promotion proposals in the Order must meet, indicating the authorities authorized to make them, and the informational procedures that can be instructed to determine the appropriateness of the award.

Furthermore, the Chancellery will report on the appropriate grade, evaluating the importance of the merits acquired, the professional category and seniority of the proposed person, the age, and the decorations they may possess; it will submit a resolution proposal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs through the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Chancellor of the Order, and proceed with the issuance of the titles of the granted decorations.

In its center, it has an oval of intense blue enamel, bordered with white fillet, with the gold-colored inscription "To Civil Merit".

Inside the oval, there is a die-cut in high relief, with the characteristic motif of the Order: a matron leaning on a column, with a sword in her right hand, tempered in the fire of sacrifice, as a symbol of civic virtues.

The Order of Civil Merit comes in seven classes, with the following insignia:[8] By Royal Decree 2396/1998, the former rank of Knight’s Cross (Caballero) was renamed as 'Cross' to accommodate female recipients.

Third, Knights and Dames receive an official diploma, issued on behalf of the Sovereign, certifying their appointment to the Order (cf.

Fourth, all Knights and Dames of the Order have the right to add the insignia of their rank to their coat of arms as a heraldic achievement.

The Collar and Grand Cross of the Order have been awarded to royalty, heads of state and their spouses, and distinguished members of society, including: Article 12 of the Royal Decree 2396/1998 establishes that upon the death of those awarded the rank of Collar, their heirs are obliged to promptly return the insignia to the Chancellery of the Order.

[2] Article 14 of the Royal Decree 2396/1998 establishes that the person decorated with any grade of the Order of Civil Merit who is convicted of a criminal act, by virtue of a final sentence, may be deprived of the title and the privileges and honors inherent to their status.