Sealing to Step children

[eburd1]

My husband is a very recent member of the church after a year of investigating. He has two children from a previous marriage, ages 9 and 7. When we have our temple sealing for marriage, are his children sealed to me by proxy through him if they are sealed to him in a separate ceremony?

[Benjamin McGuire]

11 hours ago, eburd1 said:

My husband is a very recent member of the church after a year of investigating. He has two children from a previous marriage, ages 9 and 7. When we have our temple sealing for marriage, are his children sealed to me by proxy through him if they are sealed to him in a separate ceremony?

No.

Assuming that the requirements can be met (I'll provide those in a minute), they would be sealed to the two of you directly - there is no proxy involved. Children are never sealed to a single parent - they can only be sealed to married spouses. The requirements are outlines in the Church Handbook, 38.4.2.5:

Quote

 

Minor children and children who are not accountable. Living minor children and children who are not accountable due to intellectual disabilities may be sealed to one natural parent and a stepparent only if all the following conditions are met:

• The child was not born in the covenant or sealed previously.

• The child has not been adopted by another parent.

• The other natural parent has given a signed letter of consent for the sealing to take place. A court decree granting legal custody is not sufficient clearance for a sealing. The letter of consent should use wording similar to the following: “I, [name of natural parent], give permission for [name of child or children] to be sealed in the temple to [name of parents]. I understand that the sealing is a religious ceremony and does not have legal implications.” This letter is presented at the temple before the sealing.

If the other natural parent is deceased or if his or her parental rights have been fully terminated by legal process, no consent is required. Likewise, no consent is required if the child is considered an adult in the jurisdiction where he or she lives.

If the other natural parent cannot be located after thorough efforts to find him or her, no consent is required. In this case, the bishop and stake president certify in the verification process that thorough efforts to locate the missing parent have failed. If the other natural parent comes forward at a later date, the sealing will be subject to review.

 

If you cannot get consent (or meet any of the other conditions listed above), then as soon as they are legally considered adults, the sealing can occur.