The Bulgarian Order of Cvil Merit was established on either 2 or 14 August 1891 by then Prince Ferdinand, and was founded with six classes and a Grand Cross grade.

The Orders design was made up of a white-enamelled urdy cross, with a central disc bearing the royal monogram of Ferdinand I.

This continued until 1946 and the abolition of the monarchy, where briefly the cross hung from an un-enamelled wreath until finally being dissolved by the communists in 1946.

The Grand Officer's class consisted of the same badge, but suspended from a neck ribbon, while the star was smaller and also slightly different in design, taking on more of a diamond shape.

The new reverse no longer depicts the royal monogram of Ferdinand I, and instead a rotated tricolour of the Bulgarian flag.