How do I unreserve or release family names from my temple list?

Article Id: 890
January 28, 2025
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Unreserving an ancestor's ordinances removes the name from your family names list. When names are unreserved, even in error, you will need to manually search for each name and request the ordinances again. FamilySearch does not have automated tools to restore ordinances that were unreserved by accident.

Unreserved ordinances become available for other people to reserve. You can bless people who want to perform temple ordinances for their ancestors.

Steps (website)

  1. While signed in to FamilySearch, click Temple.
  2. From the drop-down menu, click My Reservations.
  3. Find the ancestor whose ordinances you want to unreserve. Click the check box next to the name.
    • You can select up to 50 names at one time. A counter at the top of the list tracks how many names you have selected.
    • The list could continue for more than one page. At the bottom of the list, use the Page options and move to the other pages. Your selections stay selected as you go from page to page.
    • If the check box is not available, one of the following has occurred:
      • You have shared the ordinance with the temple, and the temple has already printed it for another temple patron to do.
      • The ordinance has been shared with a family group, and a group member has reserved it.
      • The ordinance has already been given to someone through Ordinances Ready.
      • Family Tree had duplicate records about this person. Someone else reserved the ordinances for the duplicate record. After the duplicates were merged, the other member has the reservation.
  4. (Optional) Use the filter to see the selected names:
    1. Click Filter.
    2. Click Selected.
  5. Click Unreserve.
  6. Review the list. A check box indicates ordinances to unreserve. If you change your mind, uncheck the box, or click Cancel.
  7. Click Unreserve.

After you have reserved a person's ordinances, you can also unreserve from within Family Tree:

  1. In Family Tree, display the person page of the person whose ordinances you want to unreserve.
  2. Click Ordinances.
  3. Click Unreserve.
    • If the check box is not available, one of the following has occurred:
      • You have shared the ordinance with the temple, and the temple has already printed it for another temple patron to do.
      • The ordinance has been shared with a family group, and a group member has reserved it.
      • The ordinance has already been given to someone through Ordinances Ready.
      • Family Tree had duplicate records about this person. Someone else reserved the ordinances for the duplicate record. After the duplicates were merged, the other member has the reservation.
  4. Review the list, and click the check box of any family name card that you want to keep.
  5. Click Unreserve.

Note: Instead of unreserving an ordinance, you could instead share it with the temple. The temple gives the name card to someone who comes to the temple without a family name.

Steps (mobile app)

  1. In the Family Tree mobile app, open the Temple page.
    • Android: In the upper left corner, tap the 3 lines, and then tap Temple.
    • Apple iOS: Along the bottom of your screen, tap Temple.
  2. To the right of each name you want to unreserve, tap the circle.
    • If the check box is not available, one of the following has occurred:
      • You have shared the ordinance with the temple, and the temple has already printed it for another temple patron to do.
      • The ordinance has been shared with a family group, and a group member has reserved it.
      • The ordinance has already been given to someone through Ordinances Ready.
      • Family Tree had duplicate records about this person. Someone else reserved the ordinances for the duplicate record. After the duplicates were merged, the other member has the reservation.
  3. Unreserve the ordinance:
    • Android: On the temple list, click the circle next to the person's name, and then click Unreserve at the bottom of the screen. Read the message, and tap OK.
    • Apple iOS: Below the temple list, tap Unreserve. Read the message, and tap OK.

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

  1. In Family Tree Lite (lite.fs.org), click Temple.
  2. Find the family name that you want to unreserve, and click its Unreserve link.
    • You will not see the unreserve option if you shared the ordinance with the temple and the temple printed a card. Similarly, if you shared the ordinance and someone reserved it through Ordinances Ready, you cannot unreserve it.
  3. Confirm that you want to unreserve it, and click Unreserve again.

Can I unreserve family names if I have already printed them?

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