A free FamilySearch account provides wider access to resources on the FamilySearch website.
Before you start
- Anyone over 13 years of age can create an account.
- With parental permission, children ages 8–12 can create accounts.
- We recommend that each person have a separate email address or mobile phone number. Doing so makes it easier to recover a username or reset a password.
- As you create an account, the username you choose could already be in use. If so, the system provides some variations you can choose from. Or you can enter a different username.
- You cannot use some characters in a username. Characters not accepted are: ^{}[\]?=:@#$^&%*;()<>|~,'"/]+$
- We recommend that you use something other than your email address as your username.
- If you use your email address as your username, please also include a mobile number for ease of account recovery.
- The first time you sign in to the website, you see a Begin Your Family Tree screen. Begin Your Family Tree has steps to follow as you enter information into Family Tree.
Steps (website or mobile - third party sign-ins)
You can create a FamilySearch account by signing in with your Facebook, Apple, Google, or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints account credentials.
Steps (website)
- Go to FamilySearch.org, and click Create Account.
- Enter the required information, and click Continue.
- Enter a username and password.
- Click the down arrow, and click a recovery option. If your country is not in the location list, you must use an email address for recovery.
- To agree to the terms, check the box. Click Create account.
- Activate your account. Look for a message in your email or a text message on your mobile phone.
Steps (mobile app)
- Open the FamilySearch Family Tree or Memories app on your mobile device.
- Tap Sign In. You can use an existing account or tap Create Free Account.
If you choose to use an existing account, tap one of the options.
- Continue with FamilySearch
- Continue with Facebook
- Continue with Google
- Continue with Apple
- Continue with Church Account
Steps (Family Tree Lite)
- Go to Family Tree Lite.
- Click Create a Free Account.
- Use the website instructions as you create your account.
Recommended next steps
Review your contact information and notification preferences in your FamilySearch settings.
On the mobile Tree or Memories app, tap the three lines (menu) icon and then tap Settings. Tap Account.
Get help
If you encounter problems, contact FamilySearch Support.
Solutions to common problems
Here are messages that mean you probably already have an account:
- "We believe that this account already exists."
- "The mobile phone number that you entered is already in use in an account."
- "This Church record number is already used in an account."
Notes for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- You probably have a Church account for the Church website or Church apps, such as Tools. You do not need a separate account for FamilySearch.org. On the website or mobile apps sign-in page, click Sign In with Church Account.
- To add your Church record number to an existing account, go to your Account Settings. (On the mobile Tree or Memories app, tap the 3 lines (menu) icon. Tap Settings and then Account.) At the bottom of the page, click Add Church Record Number.
- A member can attach the Church record number to only 1 account.
- A member can have a member account, a public account, or both.
Important notes
To create an account on FamilySearch.org, guests must have at least 1 of the following:
- An email address
- A mobile phone number capable of receiving text messages
"The "Begin Your Family Tree" screen displays if you try to view your pedigree and have not seen the screen before. It also shows when no sex or unknown sex shows for the account. If you do not see the screen, go to your ID and add or edit the information manually.
Troubleshooting tips
If you are unable to complete the registration process, use a different browser, or clear cookies, cache, and temporary files.
- Check to see that you are using the proper characters and have the minimum length for your password.
- If you enter information matching an existing account, the system redirects you to recover the username and password.
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