Temple Ordinance

Walt Teixeira

I have a member who has a friend who's mother died recently. Her friend has given her permission to do her temple work. When the member goes into FamilySearch to sign up for the baptism, etc., it asks if she has permission to do the work. She answers "Yes" and asks if she is a member and she answers "Yes" and it responds that FamilySearch could not find a relationship. How does she continue or get the the clearance for the ordinance?

nanaca

Can I request ordinances for a friend?

The First Presidency stated in a letter on February 29, 2012: "Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors. Those whose names are submitted for proxy temple ordinances should be related to the submitter." 

     

To request temple ordinances for a friend to whom you are unrelated, you need to first obtain and submit signed permission from the friend’s close living relative.

Note: A close living relative is an undivorced spouse (the spouse to whom the individual was married at the time of death), an adult child, a parent, a brother, or a sister. Please see the Church’s General Handbook: Serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 28.1.           

Before you start

Make sure that you have signed, written permission from one of your friend's close living relatives. We cannot accept signed, written permission from your deceased friend. The written permission needs to be worded as follows: 

I, (name of person giving permission), give (your name) permission to do temple work in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple, for (name of deceased), who is my (relationship to person giving permission).  (Signature of person giving permission)

If your deceased friend has no close living relatives that can provide written permission, then a request cannot be granted. 

Steps

1. Add your deceased friend to Family Tree.
2. Note your friend's ID number in Family Tree.
3. To request the ordinances, contact FamilySearch Support by email, phone, or chat. In your request, provide the following information: 1-866-406-1830

• Your friend's name and Family Tree ID number.
• The name of the person who granted permission and his or her relationship to the deceased individual.
• Your FamilySearch username.
• Your helper number. You can find this number in your FamilySearch Account settings.
• A scanned copy or photo of the signed permission form.
• Include the contact information for the person granting permission.

Related articles

How do I add an unconnected person to Family Tree?

What are ID numbers used for in Family Tree?

Individuals for whom I can request temple ordinances

I cannot find any close living relatives to grant permission for ordinances

Doing temple work for people not related to me

Thank you for the work you are doing in Family Tree and we wish you much success.