Mission Application Form

The mission application form, or the “Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation,” is the official Church paperwork you will need to fill out when applying to go on a mission. (Note: you may want to read my earlier post on Mission Papers, which talks about the process of starting and submitting your paperwork from a high-level perspective, and a previous post on the Mission Application Timeline which talks about more details of the application process with particular emphasis on the timing of when to begin each step.)

You can get the “Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation” from your bishop or branch president. They will give you all the paperwork and help you through the application process. Whether you fill out the physical paperwork, or complete the application online, the form has eight major sections:

1. Missionary Recommendation
2. Priesthood Leaders’ Comments and Suggestions
3. Education and Service of Missionary Candidate
4. Unit Information for Missionary Candidate
5. Personal Health History of Missionary Candidate
6. Physician’s Health Evaluation
7. Dental Evaluation for Missionary Candidate
8. Personal Insurance Information of Missionary Candidate

1. Missionary Recommendation

The first section of the mission application form is called the Missionary Recommendation.  This is where you fill out your name, address, and other contact information. In this section you attach a photograph of yourself, dressed according to missionary dress standards. You will fill in your birth date, confirmation date, and any criminal record you might have.  This part of the application asks for your citizenship information, and residency documents, if applicable. You will need to provide the name, occupation, and contact information of your parents, or caregiver if you live with someone other than your parents.

2. Priesthood Leaders’ Comments and Suggestions

The priesthood leader section has two parts. First is the Bishop’s or Branch President’s Recommendation.  Once you have completed all your paperwork, your bishop will review it and give you a worthiness interview.  He will ask about your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and make sure you are worthy, willing, and able to serve a mission.  Then he will write a few comments on your application on what he thinks of your leadership potential, interests, talents, or limitations that should be considered in determining the mission assignment. A similar interview and written assessment will then also be done by your stake president, or mission president if you live in an area where no stake is organized.

3. Education and Service of Missionary Candidate

On this part of the mission application form, you are asked your native language and other languages you speak or have studied.  You will then describe your education, including seminary and institute, work experience, and military service.  Here you also specify any extracurricular activities, special skills, accomplishments, previous Church callings, and other leadership experience. This is also the section where you will outline how you will be financing your mission. You will be asked to describe your source of funds, indicating how much money will be contributed from yourself, your family, your ward or branch, and other sources.  You are also given the opportunity in this section to explain any special circumstances that the Brethren should consider when making your mission call.

4. Unit Information for Missionary Candidate

Most of the information that needs to be filled out in this section will be provided by someone in your ward or branch such as the clerk.  This information includes: your membership record number, your home ward or branch unit number, the name of your bishop or branch president, and the name of your stake president.

5. Personal Health History of Missionary Candidate

This is a section that you will fill out yourself or with the help of your parents.  You are asked here to specify whether have currently, have had previously, or have never had about 50 different medical conditions, including: serious injuries, various diseases, allergies, seizures, asthma, diabetes, tattoos, skin conditions, severe headaches, insomnia, tumors, cancers, learning disabilities, emotional instability, been a victim of abuse, used illegal drugs, etc. You will need to answer all of the questions completely and honestly.

6. Physician’s Health Evaluation

This section of the mission application form will be filled out by your medical doctor.  The Doctor will note your height, weight, and blood pressure.  He or she will do a urinalysis and various tests: blood tests, a tuberculosis test, etc. The doctor will fill in your immunization dates (MMR, Polio, Hepatitis A and B), and give an overall missionary fitness report (the doctor’s assessment of your ability to serve) and note any physical or medical limitations.  This part of the form is concluded with the physician’s signature, name, address, and other contact information.

7. Dental Evaluation for Missionary Candidate

Every missionary candidate needs to have a complete oral examination and corresponding form sections filled out by your dentist. All dental treatment, including active orthodontic treatment (braces), must be completed before a prospective missionary begins to serve. (Wearing a retainer appliance is not considered active treatment.) Have your dental examination early, perhaps as early as 6 months before you plan to go on your mission, to allow plenty of time to complete all dental treatment or your application may be delayed. The dentist will need to certify that you will be free of dental problems during the next two years (assuming proper oral hygiene is practiced). For many missionaries this means having wisdom teeth removed before going on a mission.

8. Personal Insurance Information of Missionary Candidate

The final section of the mission application form is several pages of authorizations, releases of information, and medical privacy notices that you and your parents will need to sign.  Health insurance is not required, but if you have health insurance coverage, please do not cancel it.  You will need to provide information about your health care policy so the Church can properly process your medical expenses for events that may happen on your mission. If you become sick or injured during the mission, the Church will provide initial payment for medical expenses, but that is not intended to replace your personal insurance. Health care expenses paid by the Church on your mission are made from the general funds of the Church and are thus sacred in nature and should be treated as such.

Mission Paperwork Complete

Once the paperwork is complete, you will need to make an appointment with your bishop and stake president. You will hand over the forms for them to review and ultimately submit to Church headquarters in Salt Lake.

P.S. If you are looking for the actual forms to download, I’m sorry but the Church just does not make them available that way. You can try doing a Google search for Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation, and sometimes you’ll find people have posted them.