Deleting your Ancestry account removes all your DNA results, family trees, and messages from their servers
When you delete an Ancestry account, the company removes your DNA data, uploaded documents, family trees, messages, and account information from their active systems. This is permanent — you cannot recover a deleted account or its contents. Deletion takes a few days to process, and during that time your account remains visible to you but inaccessible to others.
Ancestry does not automatically delete your data when you stop using the site. If you want your information removed, you must request deletion through your account settings. Simply closing your browser or canceling a subscription does not delete anything.
Key Takeaways
- You delete an Ancestry account by going to Settings, selecting Account, and clicking the delete option — the process takes a few minutes to start.
- Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone; your DNA results, family trees, and all messages are removed from Ancestry's servers.
- The deletion request takes several days to fully process, during which your account is locked but still visible to you.
- If you share a DNA match with relatives, they will no longer see you in their match lists after deletion completes.
- Canceling a subscription does not delete your account or data; you must request deletion separately.
Steps to delete your account through Ancestry's website
Log into your Ancestry account on a computer or mobile browser. Go to the menu in the top right corner and select Settings. Click Account in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the option labeled Delete Account or Close Account — the exact wording varies by region.
Click that option. Ancestry will ask you to confirm your password and may ask why you are deleting the account. Answer the confirmation prompt. You will see a message stating that your deletion request has been submitted. At this point, your account is locked and no longer usable, but the data removal process has begun.
Do not close the page immediately after submitting the deletion request. Take a screenshot or note the confirmation number if one appears, in case you need to reference it later. Ancestry may send a confirmation email to your registered email address; check your inbox and spam folder.
What happens during the deletion waiting period
After you submit a deletion request, Ancestry typically takes three to seven business days to fully remove your data. During this time, you cannot log into your account, but the account still exists in their system. If you change your mind within this window, contact Ancestry customer service immediately and ask them to cancel the deletion request — this sometimes works if the deletion process has not yet begun.
Your relatives and DNA matches will not see you in their match lists during the waiting period, though the removal may not be instant. If someone tries to message you or view your profile, they will see an error or a message indicating the account no longer exists.
Differences between deleting and deactivating your account
Deletion removes all your data from Ancestry's servers permanently. Deactivation (sometimes called "pausing" or "suspending") hides your account from public view and stops DNA matches from seeing you, but your data remains stored on Ancestry's servers. You can reactivate a deactivated account at any time by logging back in.
If you think you might return to Ancestry later, deactivation is reversible. If you are certain you will not use the service again and want your information completely removed, deletion is the only permanent option. Ancestry does not offer a middle ground where your data is deleted but your account remains active.
What data is deleted and what may remain
Deletion removes your DNA results, family trees, uploaded documents, photos, messages, and account profile. It also removes you from any DNA matches and shared trees you were part of. Relatives who share DNA with you will no longer see you listed as a match.
Some information may persist in backups or archives that Ancestry maintains for legal or operational reasons, but this data is not accessible to you or the public. If you uploaded a family tree that other users have viewed or downloaded, those copies may remain in their accounts — deletion only removes your version from Ancestry's servers. Similarly, if you sent messages to relatives, those messages may remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
If you cannot access your account to delete it
If you forgot your password, use Ancestry's password reset tool on the login page. Enter your email address, and Ancestry will send a reset link. Follow the link, create a new password, and log in. Then proceed with the deletion steps above.
If you no longer have access to the email address associated with your account, contact Ancestry customer service. You will need to verify your identity using information from your account — such as your name, date of birth, or payment method. Ancestry can then reset your email address or help you delete the account directly. This process may take several business days.
If your account was hacked or compromised, change your password immediately and then request deletion. If you cannot regain access, report the account to Ancestry as compromised and ask them to delete it. Include any details you remember about the account in your report.
Deleting a family tree without deleting your entire account
If you want to keep your Ancestry account but remove a specific family tree, you do not need to delete the whole account. Log in, go to your family tree, click the menu icon (three dots or lines), and select Delete Tree or Remove Tree. Confirm the deletion. This removes only that tree and its associated data, leaving your account, DNA results, and other trees intact.
You can delete multiple trees one at a time using this method. Deleting a tree does not affect your DNA results or account settings. If you have shared the tree with relatives, they will lose access to it once you delete it, but the deletion does not affect their own trees or accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my account after deleting it?
No. Deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. Once the deletion process completes, your account, DNA results, family trees, and all associated data are gone. If you think you might want to use Ancestry again in the future, deactivate your account instead of deleting it.
Will my relatives still see my DNA matches after I delete my account?
No. Once your account is fully deleted, you will no longer appear in anyone's DNA match list. Relatives who previously saw you as a match will see that match disappear. However, if they downloaded or screenshotted your match information before deletion, they will still have that local copy.
What if I share a family tree with someone else?
When you delete your account, any family trees you created or owned are deleted. Relatives who have access to a shared tree will lose that access. If someone else created the tree and invited you to it, deleting your account removes you from that tree, but the tree itself remains in their account.
Does deleting my account cancel my subscription?
Deletion and subscription cancellation are separate actions. Deleting your account will stop any active subscriptions, but you should cancel your subscription separately to ensure you are not charged again. Check your payment method and Ancestry's billing page to confirm the subscription is canceled.
How do I know when my account is fully deleted?
Ancestry will send a confirmation email to your registered email address once the deletion is complete, typically within three to seven business days. If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact Ancestry customer service to verify the deletion status.