Being sealed to my biological aunt and her husband

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TheIronRod
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2025 8:20 am

Being sealed to my biological aunt and her husband

Post by TheIronRod »

I have heard of people being sealed in certain situations to non-adoptive and non-biological parents, but am looking for anyone of this knowledge for help in finding information and if possible, being put in contact with those who firsthand have gone through this.

The short version of my situation is that I wish to be sealed to my biological aunt and her husband. My aunt has heard of this happening and her and her husband wish to be sealed to me as their son. I started the process in my last ward, but I relocatef out of state and now am trying to do it here. I have the most awesome bishop, but I've hit a roadblock as he can't find an official way to go through a standard avenue to do this and won't proceed as he believes it is just not possible.

As mentioned, I know it is possible and this is such a sacred and beyond important thing for me and my mom and dad(aunt and uncle). We don't have any need for them to adopt me, but we have such a personal need to be sealed.

Does anyone have any help they can offer with specific examples and specific people to speak with or processes to use?
russellhltn
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Location: U.S.

Re: Being sealed to my biological aunt and her husband

Post by russellhltn »

You did not state what your status is. I'm assuming you are an adult.

Excerpts from the Handbook (38.4.2.3):
Living children who are born in the covenant or have been sealed to parents cannot be sealed to any other parents without First Presidency approval.
...
First Presidency approval is needed for a living member to be sealed to foster parents. This requirement applies even if the natural parents of the foster child are unknown. Such requests are made by the stake president using LCR.
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BrianEdwards
Senior Member
Posts: 1452
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2016 10:42 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: Being sealed to my biological aunt and her husband

Post by BrianEdwards »

TheIronRod wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 8:32 am.....
We don't have any need for them to adopt me, but we have such a personal need to be sealed
.....
Based off this, perhaps you're a minor?

As @russellhltn shared, the Handbook refers to being sealed to parents (natural/adoptive/foster). It may be that the cases you have heard about were children being sealed to an aunt/uncle who formally adopted them (assuming they worked through whatever the Church policy was at the time).

Regardless, I doubt you'll find anything official beyond what's found in the Handbook, and I think it would be helpful to read through the entire section GHB 38.4.2. You could ask your Bishop if he has counseled with the Stake President about your situation (per GHB 38.4.2). Part of that process could potentially include you also speaking with your Stake President, so I'd talk with your Bishop about that possibility.

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