What do the different ordinance statuses mean?

Article Id: 1539
October 24, 2024
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The ordinance status on a record does not change when you merge duplicates unless one of the records reveals that the ordinances are complete.

Ordinance Status and Meaning

Request ordinance—You are related to the person and can prepare to take this ordinance to the temple.
Needs more information—You need more information about an individual before you can do the ordinance. For example:

  • Dates and places of birth, marriage, death, or other events.
  • Sex.
  • Names of family members, such as father, mother, spouse, or children.
  • Death or burial date and place if the individual was born within the last 110 years. If you do not know the exact death date and place, provide an approximate date.

In progress—This ordinance is being completed. For example: 

  • Another FamilySearch user printed a Family Ordinance Request or family name card for this ordinance.
  • A user shared the ordinance with the temple, and the temple work is in progress.

Not needed—The person was stillborn or died before age 8 and does not need this ordinance. If the individual was not stillborn, or did not die before age 8, and you are closely related, contact FamilySearch Support for more information.
Not ready—The person died less than 30 days ago. You can do ordinances after the waiting period. 
Reserved—Someone reserved the ordinance.
Waiting—This ordinance is on hold until the prior ordinances are complete.
Not available—This ordinance information is not available to the public. Here are common reasons:

  • Privacy concerns
  • The individual lived before A.D. 200. To find out if the ordinances are complete, take these steps:
    1. To look for other records for the person, view Possible Duplicates.
    2. If you find other records for the person, merge them. If the other records indicate that the ordinances are completed, the ordinance status changes.

"Not available" also appears if you are viewing the ordinances of a person who is not related to you, and the ordinances are incomplete.
Born in the covenant (BIC)—Children born after the parents are sealed do not need to be sealed to the parents and should not be sealed to any other parents. When temple ordinances show, a BIC status from a membership record takes priority over any later sealing to parents.

What do the different temple icons and statuses mean?
How do I view my ancestor's ordinances in Family Tree?

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