Cancel Find My Past the easy way

Core service

Findmypast is a subscription research service focused on historical records, newspapers and census data that helps users trace family history and build family trees. The service offers tiered plans with access to British, Irish and global records, plus special records such as the 1921 Census and old newspapers.

Who uses it

The typical user is a UK-based family history researcher or someone wanting to find ancestors and historic records. Subscribers include hobby genealogists and people researching family events such as births, marriages and deaths.

Company facts

For official company filings see the Companies House record at Findmypast Limited filings.

Web cancellation (recommended)

1. Open the Findmypast website and log in to your account.
2. Go to My Account then select My subscription.
3. Choose Manage Subscription and select Cancel subscription.
4. Confirm the cancellation when prompted; a confirmation message appears on screen.
5. Check your email for a confirmation message from Findmypast.
6. Keep the confirmation email until your subscription period ends.
7. For official company records see Companies House filings.

iOS (Apple) cancellation

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name.
2. Tap Subscriptions, find Findmypast and tap Cancel Subscription.
3. Follow Apple prompts; Apple handles billing and receipts.
4. Uninstalling the app does not cancel the subscription.

Android (Google Play) cancellation

1. Open the Google Play Store with the account that purchased the subscription.
2. Tap your profile, then Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
3. Select Findmypast and tap Cancel subscription.
4. Google handles refunds and receipts for App purchases.

Phone cancellation

1. Findmypast does not publish a direct phone number for cancellations publicly.
2. If you have a published phone contact from previous communications use it and request a cancellation reference number.
3. If no phone number is available, use the web or post methods.

Email and post cancellation

1. Email: send your request to theFindmypast customer support email if you have it; request a confirmation and keep the reply.
2. Post: send a signed, dated cancellation letter by registered post to Find My Past, One London Wall, EC2Y 5EA London, United Kingdom. Keep proof of postage and signed delivery.
3. Include account email, subscription plan, and last four digits of the payment card (if needed) in all communications.

Moving abroad

If you move abroad and your subscription is still active you can cancel via your Findmypast account as described. Findmypast does not publish a special rule for relocation refunds. Provide evidence of new residence only if you request a pro rata refund and Findmypast requests proof. No published company-specific relocation refund policy is available.

Price increase

Findmypast does not publish a dedicated price increase cancellation clause in the public help pages provided in the research. Under UK law, a significant unilateral change in contract price may be challenged under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 if it amounts to an unfair term. Refer to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 when disputing an increase with Findmypast.

Death of the subscriber

Findmypast does not publish a specific death policy in the available research. To request account closure for deceased subscribers, contact customer support and be prepared to provide a death certificate or probate documents. The research does not provide a direct support email for this process.

Legitimate grounds accepted by Findmypast

The research identifies express consent to start access to records as a Findmypast policy point. If you provided express consent for immediate access to digital records during the 14-day cooling-off period, Findmypast states that a refund is not obligatory once access has begun. Other specific legitimate grounds accepted by Findmypast are not published in the research.

End of commitment or fixed 12-month agreements

If you have a 12-month agreement billed monthly, cancelling online will stop automatic renewal after the 12-month term ends. You will continue to pay monthly until the end of the 12-month term. To end a 12-month agreement before the fixed term expires, you must contact Customer Support. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Cooling-off period (14 days)

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give a 14-day cooling-off period for most online purchases. Findmypast confirms that if a consumer cancels within the cooling-off period, all monies paid for that contract will be refunded, unless the consumer expressly requested immediate access to records and supply has begun. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Before cancelling: negotiate

Findmypast publishes a loyalty discount for annual 'Everything' subscribers - a 15% loyalty discount on renewal for annual Everything plans. Promotional offers such as temporary percentage discounts have been used historically. The research does not list specific retention offers issued at cancellation, so request the renewal discount or a promotional code when you contact customer support.

What cancelling saves you - exact yearly math

Examples using published prices:

• Starter Monthly: £9.99 x 12 = £119.88 per year. Starter Annual: £74.99 per year. Savings switching to annual: 119.88 - 74.99 = £44.89.
• Plus Monthly: £12.99 x 12 = £155.88 per year. Plus Annual: £119.99 per year. Savings switching to annual: 155.88 - 119.99 = £35.89.
• Pro Monthly: £16.99 x 12 = £203.88 per year. Pro Annual: £159.99 per year. Savings switching to annual: 203.88 - 159.99 = £43.89.
• Everything Monthly: £24.95 x 12 = £299.40 per year. Everything Annual: £199.99 per year. Savings switching to annual: 299.40 - 199.99 = £99.41.

Cheapest clear alternative for basic research needs: FamilySearch is free (£0) for many basic records and can reduce annual spend to £0 if it meets your needs.

Relevant UK law and regulator

Key laws: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Regulator: Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Cooling-off and digital content

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide a 14-day cooling-off right for online contracts. An exception exists for digital content if the consumer expressly consents to immediate supply and acknowledges loss of the cancellation right. Findmypast applies this exception where a user gives express consent to access records during the cooling-off period.

Escalation steps

1. Complain first to Findmypast using the account contact methods or registered post to the address below. 2. If unresolved, get assistance from Citizens Advice. 3. For qualifying card payments, consider Section 75 or a bank chargeback. 4. If you suspect unfair contract terms or hard-to-cancel subscriptions, report to the CMA.

For company filings see Companies House filings.

Access after cancellation

After cancellation you retain access to records and features until your current subscription expires. Once the subscription expires you lose access to premium records and previously viewed premium records, except for free-to-view records.

Data and family trees

Export important family tree data and save copies of records you need before the subscription expires. If you want to keep a digital copy, download or export GEDCOM files from your account before expiry.

Final billing and reactivation

Cancellation stops automatic renewal. If you change your mind before expiry, you can select 'Reactive Subscription' before the expiry date to restart the same subscription. Refunds depend on cooling-off rules and whether you gave express consent to access records during the cooling-off period.

Follow this checklist to make sure cancellation is complete and you keep records you need.

• Log in to your Findmypast account and cancel via My Account > My subscription > Manage Subscription > Cancel.
• Save the on-screen confirmation and keep the confirmation email.
• Export your family tree as a GEDCOM file.
• Download or save copies of any records you want to keep before subscription expiry.
• If you paid via Apple or Google Play, cancel the subscription in your Apple ID or Google Play account and keep receipts.
• If you have a 12-month agreement billed monthly and want to end early, contact Customer Support and request steps for early termination.
• If you want a refund within 14 days, check whether you gave express consent for immediate access to records - if you did, a refund may not be obligatory.