Remove Yourself from FamilySearch — Steps, Timeline & What Comes Back (2026)

Most relevant if this is you:Privacy for families

What is FamilySearch?

The world's largest genealogy organization, operated by the LDS Church as a non-profit service. Maintains billions of historical records (birth, marriage, death, census, immigration) and a collaborative family tree with over 1.5 billion ancestor profiles. Unlike traditional data brokers, FamilySearch does not sell data — it provides free access for family history research. However, living persons' information can appear in the collaborative family tree if added by other users.

FamilySearch's particular danger is the surfacing of information most people do not realize is publicly available. A single search reveals your home address, the names of your family members, and your approximate age. All without any verification of who is searching, or why.

What data FamilySearch has on you

A FamilySearch profile can include a surprisingly detailed picture of your life. Here is what they typically display:

• full name
• birth date and place
• death date and place
• marriage records
• parents and family relationships
• historical census data
• immigration and naturalization records
• military service records
• user-submitted family tree data

Not every profile contains all categories. Depth depends on what public records exist in your jurisdiction and how much commercial data has been linked to your identity. For most adults with any public record history, FamilySearch has enough to paint a detailed picture.

How to opt out of FamilySearch: step by step

1. If you have a FamilySearch account: log in and adjust your privacy settings to restrict visibility
2. To request removal of your information from the collaborative family tree or indexed records, email DataPrivacyOfficer@ChurchofJesusChrist.org
3. Include your full name, date of birth, and a clear description of what information you want removed
4. For indexed historical records about yourself or someone you are the legal guardian of, submit a Data Privacy Request form on familysearch.org
5. FamilySearch can make indexed records about living persons 'inaccessible' but cannot delete original historical records
6. Allow 30 days for processing

How long does FamilySearch removal take?

After you complete the opt-out, FamilySearch typically processes removals within Up to 30 days. By broker standards, that is about average — many sites take 7 to 45 days.

The catch: your data comes back

The most important thing to understand about FamilySearch removal: it is temporary.

FamilySearch is a collaborative platform — other users may re-add information to the family tree. Historical records cannot be deleted (only made inaccessible for indexed records of living persons). Living persons' profiles in the family tree are only visible to the account holder by default.

This is not unique to FamilySearch. Every data broker works this way. Your opt-out removes one listing. It does not stop the data pipeline. The only way to stay off permanently is to repeat the process every few months yourself, or use a service that detects re-listings and re-submits automatically.

What FamilySearch's opt-out does not cover

• Other brokers are not affected. Removing yourself from FamilySearch does nothing to Whitepages, BeenVerified, Radaris, or the dozens of other sites where your data is exposed. Each requires its own opt-out.
• Cached copies may persist. Google and other search engines may cache your FamilySearch profile for days or weeks after it is removed. Use Google's content removal tool to request de-indexing.
• Multiple profiles may exist. If you have lived in multiple states, changed your name, or have multiple phone numbers, FamilySearch may have built separate profiles for each variation. Search and opt out of each.

Tips for a successful opt-out

Use a dedicated email. Use an alias or a separate account for removal requests. Keeps your primary inbox out of FamilySearch's system and keeps confirmation emails organized.

Search every angle. Do not just search by name. Try phone number and email too. You may have more than one listing.

Document the request. Screenshot the confirmation page and save the confirmation email. Useful if you ever need to prove you requested removal.

Or skip the manual work entirely

FamilySearch is one of dozens of people-search sites with your information. Even if you complete this opt-out today, your data reappears over time — and every other broker requires its own separate process, its own verification, its own re-check schedule.

Delist scans for your personal information across the internet, handles removals automatically, and monitors for re-listings so you do not have to.

Frequently asked questions