FamilySearch Opt-Out: Remove Your Info (2026)
FamilySearch is a genealogy platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that collects, indexes, and publishes family tree data, birth and death records, and historical documents. While the platform focuses primarily on historical genealogy, it can also include records for living individuals that you may want removed or restricted. This guide explains how to request deletion or restriction of your data on FamilySearch.
The reality of data brokers. Niche and regional people-search sites feed the larger broker ecosystem. One unaddressed listing can re-seed dozens of others within weeks. Priwall by mePrism watches the long tail of brokers — including smaller sites most consumers never think to check — and removes your data continuously.
Why opt out of FamilySearch?
FamilySearch presents privacy risks that differ from typical people-search sites. First, the platform allows any registered user to add or edit family tree entries, which means your birth details, family relationships, and location data may have been added by a relative without your knowledge or consent. Second, FamilySearch indexes historical records that can reveal sensitive details — including adoption, birthplace, or parentage — that living individuals may prefer to keep private. Third, because FamilySearch is widely trusted as a genealogy resource, data appearing there is often treated as authoritative and may be picked up by other genealogy platforms and people-search aggregators.
Quick facts
| Type of site | Genealogy / family records platform |
|---|---|
| Data shown | Name, birth date/place, family relationships, historical records, family tree data |
| Opt-out method | Privacy settings in account; request removal via FamilySearch support |
| Typical removal time | 7–30 days |
How to opt out of FamilySearch
- Create or access your FamilySearch account. Go to familysearch.org and log in. If you do not have an account, you can register for free to manage your data.
- Locate your profile in the Family Tree. Search the Family Tree for your name. If a living person profile exists for you, it will be visible and editable.
- Edit or restrict your profile details. As a living person, your information should already be protected from public view by default. If details are visible, update the privacy settings associated with your profile.
- Request removal of specific records. If a historical record (such as a birth index or census entry) contains sensitive information you want removed, use the 'Discuss' or feedback option on the record page to flag it for review.
- Contact FamilySearch support for data deletion. For more comprehensive removal requests, contact FamilySearch through their Help Center. Submit a written request citing your privacy concerns and the specific records you want addressed.
- Follow up. FamilySearch support typically responds within a few business days. Follow their instructions to complete any verification required.
Steps current as of 2026; if the broker has changed their flow, see their current privacy or opt-out page.
One down. Hundreds to go.
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What to expect after opting out
FamilySearch protects living-person data by making those records non-searchable by the general public. However, records involving living people can sometimes surface through family tree connections added by other users. FamilySearch support is generally responsive to privacy requests, but complete removal of all associated records may take several weeks depending on the complexity of the request. Records contributed by third parties (other users) may require coordination with those users or FamilySearch's privacy team.
Frequently asked questions
Does FamilySearch make living people's data public?
By policy, FamilySearch marks living individuals as private and restricts their records from public search. However, data can sometimes leak through family tree connections or user contributions that contain living-person details.
Can I request deletion of a family tree entry added by someone else?
Yes. Contact FamilySearch support with the specific record details. FamilySearch can review and restrict entries that inappropriately expose living individuals.
How do I find my own record on FamilySearch?
Log in to familysearch.org, go to the Family Tree section, and search for your name and birth details. You can also use the 'Find' tool to locate records associated with your identity.
What records does FamilySearch publish for living people?
FamilySearch's policy is to keep living-person records private. However, user-submitted family tree entries or records indexed from partially available public documents may occasionally contain living-person data.
Is FamilySearch subject to CCPA or GDPR?
As a US-based nonprofit, FamilySearch is subject to applicable US privacy laws for California residents and may comply with GDPR requests for EU/UK individuals on a case-by-case basis. Contact their privacy team for jurisdiction-specific guidance.
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