You can recover a forgotten username or reset a forgotten password for your FamilySearch account using whichever option is directly linked to your account:
- Your mobile phone number
- Your email address
Note: The option to use a mobile phone number for account recovery may not be available in your area.
You can only recover a username or reset a password for an activated FamilySearch account. If you have signed up for a FamilySearch account and it is not yet activated, please contact FamilySearch Support.
Steps (website)
- In the upper-right corner of the FamilySearch website, click Sign In.
- Do one of the following, depending on whether you have forgotten your username only, your password only, or both:
- Username only: Click Forgot username or password beneath the Password field.
- Password only: Click Forgot username or password beneath the Password field.
- Both: Click Forgot username or password beneath the Password field. Then, on the next screen, click the checkbox by I do not remember my password.
- Select a recovery method based on the information that you provided during registration.
- Mobile: Enter your mobile number. A verification code goes to that number. Enter the verification code into the provided field at https://www.familysearch.org/identity/recovery/reset and click OK.
- Email: Enter your email address. An email with all the usernames associated with that email account comes to you. Open the email, and click the username that you want to use.
- What happens next depends on what you indicated that you forgot:
- Username only: The sign-in page reappears, with your username automatically filled in. You can now enter your password, and sign in. Or if you find you also forgot your password, click password to reset your password.
- Password only: The option to reset your password appears.
- Both: The option to reset your password appears. Your username appears on the screen.
- If necessary, reset your password:
- Enter a new password.
- Verify the new password.
- Click Reset.
Steps (mobile apps)
- Open either the Family Tree or Memories mobile app on your Android or Apple iOS mobile device.
Note: The option to use a mobile phone number for account recovery may not be available in your area. - Tap Sign In.
- Tap Continue with Username.
- Tap Need Help Signing In?
- Tap one of the options:
- You only forgot your username—tap Forgot username?
- You only forgot your password—tap Forgot password?
- You forgot both—tap Forgot username? Then, on the next screen, tap the checkbox next to I do not remember my password.
- Tap to choose a recovery method based on the information that you provided during registration. Enter the information and tap OK.
- Mobile Number: Enter your mobile number. A verification code goes to that number. Enter the verification code into the provided field at https://www.familysearch.org/identity/recovery/reset and tap OK.
- Email: Enter your email address. An email with all the usernames associated with that email account comes to you. Open the email. Click your Username. A pop-out appears allowing you to reset your password. Enter a password and follow the on-screen instructions.
- What happens next depends on what you indicated that you forgot:
- Username only: The sign-in page reappears, with your username automatically filled in. You can now enter your password and sign-in. Or if you find you also forgot your password, tap Forgot password.
- Password only: The option to reset your password appears.
- Both: The option to reset your password appears. Your username appears on the screen.
- If necessary, reset your password:
- Enter a new password.
- Verify the new password.
- Tap Reset.
Steps (Family Tree Lite)
- Go to Family Tree Lite.
- If you remember your username, enter it, and click Sign In. If you have forgotten your username, you can retrieve it:
- Click Forgot Username?
- Select a recovery method available for your account.
- Mobile: Enter your mobile number. A verification code comes to that number. Enter the verification code into the provided field at https://www.familysearch.org/identity/recovery/reset and click Continue.
- Email: Enter your email address. An email with all the usernames associated with that email account comes to you. Open the email. Click your Username, a pop-out appears allowing you to reset your password. Insert the new password and follow the on-screen instructions.
- If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it:
- Click Forgot password?
- Select either the mobile or email option. Enter the information and click the checkbox next to I do not remember my password.
- Click OK.
- A message comes to you with the option to reset your password. Open the message, and click Reset Password.
- Enter and confirm your new password.
- Click Reset.
Important Notes:
For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- A person can add a Church record number to only one account.
- A Church member can have a FamilySearch account with the Church record number, or one without, or both kinds of accounts.
Related articles
How do I request resend a verification code to activate my FamilySearch account?
How do I request that FamilySearch resend a verification email for my account?