valkaisupaperit

Valkaisupaperit is a Finnish term that historically referred to documents connected with investiture or inauguration of a public official. The word is primarily found in historical or archival contexts rather than in modern official language, and its precise use varies by institution. The term is formed from val- (investiture/election) and paperit (papers).

Usage and contents: In archival descriptions, valkaisupaperit describe the bundle of papers issued when a person assumed office—such as a newly elected or appointed governor, mayor, minister, or other public official. Typical contents included the official appointment decree, the oath of office or declaration, and the record of the oath, as well as any seals, certificates of appointment, or notes on terms of service. The collection functioned as both proof of authority and a historical record of the transition.

Context and current practice: In modern Finland, the formal administrative process is still carried out, but the label valkaisupaperit is rarely used in current procedures. Instead, digital records and standard instruments of appointment and oath are employed. The term persists mainly in archival catalogs and historical studies of governance.

Significance: Valkaisupaperit help establish the provenance of officeholders and provide a traceable record of governmental transitions and constitutional procedures.

See also: Oath of office; Inauguration; Appointment letter.