Viewing your email address
To view the email address linked to your Ancestry® account:
- Go to Account settings.
- Under Account information, you’ll see your email address listed.
You can change this at any time. For help, skip to updating your email address.
Verifying your email address
When you create an account or add a new email address, we’ll ask you to verify the email address you entered. Verifying your email helps keep your account secure and ensures we can contact you for important updates, like password resets.
To verify your email address:
- Go to Account settings.
- Under Account information, click your email address.
- If your email isn’t verified, click Verify email, then Send verification email. Keep this page open.
- In a separate tab or window, check your inbox for the verification email.
Didn't get the verification email? - On the page you left open, enter the code and click Submit code.
Updating your email address
To change or update your email address on Ancestry:
- Go to Account settings.
- Under Account information, click your email address.
- Enter your new email and click Update Email. Keep this page open.
- In a separate tab or window, check your inbox for the verification email.
Didn't get the verification email? - On the page you left open, enter the code and click Submit code.
Your email address is now updated. An email confirming the change will be sent to the new email address.
More email help
Frequently asked questions
Select a question below to view the answer. Select the question again to hide it.
What should I do if I didn't get the verification email?
If you didn't get the verification email:
- Check your spam (junk) folder.
- Make sure the email address you entered is correct.
- Make sure your email inbox and storage aren’t full.
- Add us to your safe-senders list: *.ancestry.com (contact your email provider for help).
- Try using a different email address. If you don’t have one, consider creating an email address.
If you're still having trouble, contact your email provider for help. If they can’t resolve the issue, contact us.
Why do I need to verify my email address to update it?
We require email verification when updating your email address to make sure the new email is entered correctly, that you have access to it, and that you'll receive important updates from Ancestry.
Can the same email address be used for multiple accounts?
No, each email can only be used for one Ancestry account. If you share an email with someone, one of you will need a different email for Ancestry. You can create a free email address.
Why am I getting a message that says my "email address is already in use"?
This means the email you entered is linked to another Ancestry account. It could be a past account. Try using a different email address (you can create one for free) or contact us for help.
What is a "privaterelay.appleid.com" email, and why do I have one?
A "privaterelay.appleid.com" email (or Apple relay email) is created by Apple when you use "Sign up with Apple” and choose “Hide my Email.” It lets you receive emails without sharing your real email address. You can update your email address anytime.
Why am I being asked to verify my email?
We may ask you to verify your email if your email provider reports an email we sent couldn't be delivered or the email address is invalid or not found.
