> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.archiveorder.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Order lifecycle

> Understand public statuses and the normal ArchiveOrder workflow.

An order represents a request to retrieve an archival document from a repository.

## Statuses

| Status             | Meaning                                                              |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `submitted`        | The order was accepted by the API.                                   |
| `open_for_offers`  | Researchers can review the order and submit offers.                  |
| `offers_received`  | One or more offers are available.                                    |
| `offer_selected`   | You selected an offer.                                               |
| `payment_required` | Payment must be initiated or completed before fulfillment continues. |
| `paid`             | Payment has been accepted or authorized.                             |
| `assigned`         | The order is assigned for fulfillment.                               |
| `in_progress`      | Fulfillment work has started.                                        |
| `delivered`        | One or more delivery documents are available.                        |
| `closed`           | The order is complete.                                               |
| `withdrawn`        | The client withdrew the order before fulfillment work started.       |
| `expired`          | The order or offer window expired.                                   |
| `cancelled`        | The order was cancelled.                                             |
| `unfulfillable`    | The order cannot be fulfilled.                                       |
| `refunded`         | A payment was refunded.                                              |

## Normal flow

```text theme={null}
submitted
open_for_offers
offers_received
offer_selected
payment_required
paid
assigned
in_progress
delivered
closed
```

Not every order visits every status. Fixed-price orders and account-specific workflows may skip offer or payment states.

## Withdrawal

Use `POST /orders/{orderId}/withdraw` when a customer no longer wants the document.

Withdrawals are only allowed before fulfillment work starts. Once the order is assigned or in progress, contact support.

## Delivered documents

`GET /orders/{orderId}/documents` returns an empty array until the order reaches `delivered`.

Document URLs are signed URLs and expire after a short period. Fetch and store the file promptly if your integration needs long-term access.