Quick answer
Download your family tree and raw DNA data first. Then start Ancestry's account deletion, check the boxes, enter the code Ancestry emails you, and click Delete account. Your DNA results are deleted and your saliva sample is destroyed, and Ancestry says your data is removed within 30 days. You can also delete only your DNA results and keep the account.
Step 1: Download what you want to keep
Download your family tree, raw DNA data, and any photos or documents. After deletion you can't download them, and raw data can't be uploaded to a new account.
Step 2: Delete your account
- Sign in and start account deletion from your account settings. Make sure the email address shown works.
- Check the boxes confirming your subscriptions, trees, and DNA tests will be canceled or deleted, choose a reason, and continue.
- Keep that window open. Get the verification code from your email (it expires after 2 hours), enter it, and click Delete account.
Ancestry emails you that deletion has started and says it is completed within 30 days. It cannot be undone.
What gets deleted, and what doesn't
- All DNA results are deleted, including results from other kits on your account, and linked saliva samples are destroyed.
- If you joined Ancestry's research, your consent is withdrawn for future research only.
- Anything other members already copied from your tree stays in their trees.
- Separate accounts on Fold3, Newspapers.com, and Archives.com must be canceled on their own.
Just the DNA?
You can delete your DNA results and keep your account and trees, or stay hidden from matches. Those options are in your DNA settings. See also how to delete your 23andMe data.
Your legal right to deletion
If you live in a state with a consumer privacy law, such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, or Oregon, Ancestry generally has to honor your deletion request and respond within the deadline your state sets. See what your state's law requires.
Ancestry is probably not the only one
Most people have dozens of companies holding their information, from old shopping accounts to apps they've forgotten. DataTrail scans your inbox (read-only) to find them all, flags the ones with data breaches, and writes the deletion requests for you.
Become a testerSources: Ancestry Support: Deleting your Ancestry account. DataTrail isn't affiliated with Ancestry. Menus and policies change; if a step looks different, check Ancestry's help center. This guide is general information, not legal advice.