The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Cancelling an Ancestry.com Subscription or Membership (ancestry)
By
Bella K.
|
Published
August 22, 2025
|
Updated
August 23, 2025
Ancestry.com helps people uncover their family history and build their family tree. They offer a subscription service that gives you access to a huge collection of historical records and DNA testing to trace your roots. If you sign up, your monthly or yearly subscription fee helps fund all the resources for finding and sharing your ancestry. You might see billing from them if you're using their services to explore your heritage!
Cancelling a subscription to Ancestry.com requires navigating their website, which can be somewhat confusing. However, the actual process is straightforward once the user finds the right section in their account settings.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes 10 minutes0010 minutes to cancel a Ancestry.com subscription.
How to Cancel Ancestry.com: Step by Step
If you purchased through Ancestry.com directly:
Log in to your Ancestry.com account.
Click on your username or profile icon in the top-right corner.
Select **Account Settings** from the dropdown menu.
Navigate to the **Subscription** tab.
Click on **Cancel Subscription**.
Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.
If you purchased through Apple App Store:
Open the **Settings** app on your iOS device.
Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
Select **Subscriptions**.
Find and tap on your Ancestry.com subscription.
Tap on **Cancel Subscription**.
Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
If you purchased through Google Play Store:
Open the **Google Play Store** app on your Android device.
Tap on the **profile icon** in the top right corner.
Select **Payments & subscriptions**.
Tap on **Subscriptions**.
Find and select your Ancestry.com subscription.
Tap on **Cancel subscription**.
Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the cancellation.
If you purchased through Amazon:
Go to the **Amazon website** and log in to your account.
Hover over **Accounts & Lists** and select **Your Subscriptions**.
Locate your Ancestry.com subscription.
Click on **Manage Subscription**.
Select **Cancel Subscription** and confirm your choice.
If you purchased through a third-party service (like a cable provider or similar):
Contact the third-party service’s customer support directly.
Provide them with your account details and request cancellation of the Ancestry.com subscription.
Follow any instructions they provide to complete the cancellation process.
How to Contact Ancestry.com
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with Ancestry.com's support team.
Call Customer Service: Directly calling can lead to quicker resolutions than using online chat or email.
Prepare Your Information: Have your account details, membership type, and last bill ready to speed up the process.
Be Polite but Firm: Use polite language, but clearly state you want to cancel and will not be swayed by offers.
Request a Supervisor: If the first representative is unhelpful, ask to speak to a supervisor for better handling.
Timing Matters: Try to call at off-peak hours (e.g., early morning) to reduce wait time.
Escalate if Necessary: If you're met with resistance, express your willingness to escalate the situation to a higher authority.
Use Cancellation Scripts: Look for scripting guides online that can provide effective phrases and approaches.
Leverage Trial Periods: If you’re within a trial period, mention that to emphasize your right to cancel.
Document Everything: Keep a record of names, times, and what was discussed during your interactions.
Email Confirmation: Request an email confirmation of the cancellation to ensure it is processed.
Monitor Charges: After cancellation, keep an eye on your statements to ensure no further charges occur.
Consider Social Media: If you encounter problems, sometimes posting on social media can prompt faster responses.
Why Do People Request Refunds from Ancestry.com
High monthly cost making it hard to justify the expense.
Lack of new records or updates on family trees.
Difficulty in using the website or software.
Limited access to specific records unless upgraded.
Not finding relevant information or family connections.
Better alternatives available for genealogy research.
Privacy concerns regarding personal data.
Infrequent usage makes the subscription feel unnecessary.
Change in personal interests leading to a focus on other hobbies.
Technical issues or glitches with the website.
Ancestry.com Refund Script
Script
Copy
Dear Ancestry.com, Support, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a refund due to a billing issue that arose recently. I noticed an accidental charge on my account that I do not recognize, and I believe it may have been a mistake. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in processing this refund at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Best regards,
Ancestry.com Refund Policy
Ancestry.com allows members to cancel their subscriptions at any time through their account settings. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the billing period, and users will not be charged for subsequent periods. Refunds for any unused time are generally not provided.
The Easiest Way to Get a Ancestry.com Refund
If you're frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from Ancestry.com—or if you didn't even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we'll take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ancestry.com typically allows you to cancel your subscription at any time, but be cautious of potential pitfalls. They may rely on tactics like offering discounts for reactivation or presenting a complex cancellation process, which can make it easy to overlook cancellation steps. Always check for any leftover charges or if you’re in a promotional period that might lead to unexpected fees if you cancel early.
High monthly cost making it hard to justify the expense.
Lack of new records or updates on family trees.
Difficulty in using the website or software.
Limited access to specific records unless upgraded.
Not finding relevant information or family connections.
Better alternatives available for genealogy research.
Privacy concerns regarding personal data.
Infrequent usage makes the subscription feel unnecessary.
Change in personal interests leading to a focus on other hobbies.
Technical issues or glitches with the website.
Account email address
Password
First and last name
Billing information
Subscription type
Account number
Date of last payment
Reason for cancellation
Confirmation of cancellation policy
Before canceling your Ancestry.com subscription, be aware that you'll lose access to your family trees, DNA matches, and historical records that help in your genealogical research. Additionally, any active hints and connections to your ancestors will become unavailable, potentially hindering your ability to build your family history further. Consider exporting or saving any important data or documents before cancellation, as you may not be able to retrieve them afterward. Lastly, check if you have any upcoming charges or trial periods ending that could affect your decision.
Ancestry.com allows members to cancel their subscriptions at any time through their account settings. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the billing period, and users will not be charged for subsequent periods. Refunds for any unused time are generally not provided.
Yes, you'll need your password to cancel your Ancestry.com subscription. If you can't remember it, you can easily reset it by visiting [this link](https://www.ancestry.com/cs/password). Once you have access, you can proceed with the cancellation process. If you need any help along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to their customer support!
The cancellation process typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. However, the actual time may vary depending on your account settings and whether you need to contact customer service. Most cancellations are processed immediately, but some may take up to 24 hours to take effect.
After canceling your Ancestry.com subscription, you'll typically have access to the service until the end of your current billing period. You won't be charged for the next billing cycle, and your account will be deactivated once the current period ends. Make sure to download any important data before cancellation.
Yes, you can usually reactivate your Ancestry.com account by logging back into your account and resubscribing. However, you may need to go through the sign-up process again and provide payment information. Some services may offer special reactivation deals for returning customers.
If you're unable to cancel Ancestry.com online, contact their customer service directly using the phone number, email, or website provided above. You can also use our refund script to help you communicate effectively with their support team. In some cases, you may need to provide additional verification or documentation.
Ancestry.com Ancestry Ancestry Subscription Ancestry DNA Ancestry Service Charge Ancestry Payments Ancestry Holdings Ancestry Membership Fee Ancestry.co.uk Ancestry.ca
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