How to access the account of someone who has passed away
Firstly, we’re sorry for your loss.
Please note that we don’t allow anyone access to a deceased member’s account without proper documentation showing that the requestor is legally entitled to take over the account.
In order to gain access to the account of a deceased member, collect as many of the documents listed below as possible, then contact us.
Documents Ancestry® will consider prior to providing access to deceased members’ accounts:
All legal documentation which confirms that you are the executor of the member’s estate, or if you are based outside the United States, the legal document required in your country of residence to confirm that you are legally entitled to act on behalf of the deceased member; or
Demonstrate that the executor of the estate has granted permission for you to assume control of the member’s account. If you are relying on a letter from the executor, you should demonstrate the executor’s right to write such letter, for example by providing a copy of the following:
A letter of appointment
A letter of administration
A letter of representation
A copy of the will
Letters testamentary; and/ or
A copy of the member’s death certificate; and/or
Proof of identification that verifies your authority to take over the relevant account; or
An email from the email address on file for the account or proof that you have access to the email account associated with the member’s Ancestry account (after the date of death)
Please note that you will be asked to produce the above documents (and potentially other documents, depending on the specific requirements in your country) in order to prove that you are entitled to take over the account.
How to request the deletion of a deceased member's Ancestry® account
Once you delete an account, you will lose access to the account and to all related data on that account. This is a particularly important decision when considering the deletion of a deceased member’s account, as the work they put into the account will not be able to be retrieved after deletion. You may wish to download the family tree, raw DNA data, or other notes or files from the account before deleting the account. Please see how you can download the tree data here.
You can request that an account be deleted in two ways:
If you have successfully demonstrated that you are the legal owner of the account on the death of a member, you are granted access to the member’s account and you are able to delete the account yourself in the account settings. Please see the support article on how to delete the account.
Please see How to access the account of someone who has passed away above in order to gain access to the account.
Alternatively, contact us to request that an account be deleted.
Please ensure that you have collected copies of these documents before contacting us, as it will ensure quick resolution of your query.
How to request content from the Ancestry® account of a deceased member
You are able to download the family trees, DNA Data, and other notes or files saved to the trees if you have access to the account or you are entitled to take over the account.
Once you have access to the account, please see how you can download the tree data here.
If you do not currently have access to the account, you may need to request that the account be transferred to your name. In order to gain access to the account, you will have to provide documentation to prove you are entitled to take over the account. Please see the How to access the account of someone who has passed away section above.
How to ask a question about a deceased member’s account on Ancestry®
If you have queries about a deceased member’s account, we are happy to assist you.
However, our customers’ privacy is important to us. We will not provide information or details about a member’s account unless you are entitled to access the account or to act on behalf of that individual.
In order to show that you are entitled to access the account, you will have to provide documentation to prove you are entitled to take over the account. Please see the How to access the account of someone who has passed away section above.