Foreign Grand Chapters

The Supreme Grand Chapter of England does not formally recognise other Grand Chapters: it accepts as regular the Companions of another Grand Chapter if it works with the approval of the Grand Lodge whose territory it shares, provided that the Grand Lodge is recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England. These recognised Grand Lodges can be found listed on the United Grand Lodge of England website.

To avoid any danger of becoming involved with irregular Royal Arch bodies, companions wishing to visit Chapter meetings abroad, should not attempt to make Masonic contact overseas without first checking (preferably in writing) with the Grand Scribe Ezra's Office at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ.

Companions should be aware that as with Craft Freemasonry the Masonic Convention is that communications between Grand Chapters be conducted by the Grand Scribes Ezra. They should therefore not attempt without permission to make direct contact with the Grand Scribe Ezra of another Constitution.

Once a Companion has received clearance to visit a Chapter abroad he should ensure that he takes with him his Grand Chapter Certificate and a Clearance Certificate from his Chapter(s).

English Constitution Chapters who wish to host a visit from a Companion from an overseas Chapter should also check with the Grand Scribe Ezra's Office to ensure that they are from an acceptable Constitution, and that the visitor has with him his Grand Chapter Certificate and a Clearance Certificate from his Chapter(s), or as an alternative, his Dues Card.

Our Chapters should also be aware that visitors from Constitutions that work the Swedish or Scandinavian Rite must have completed their sixth Degree in that system to be qualified to attend an English Royal Arch meeting.