Ancestry is primarily a digital subscription service, so the key policy topics are cancellation timing, refund eligibility, and what happens to access after cancellation. Refund outcomes can vary based on the subscription type (monthly vs. longer terms billed upfront), whether the subscription began with a free or paid trial, and whether the purchase was made on the website versus through an app store. Refunds, when issued, are typically credited back to the original payment method used for the order.
For subscriptions billed monthly, cancellation is generally allowed at any time, but monthly subscriptions are typically not eligible for a refund. When a monthly plan is canceled, access usually continues through the remainder of the paid billing period, and renewal should stop as long as cancellation is completed before the stated cutoff prior to the next renewal. Because renewals can process automatically, cancellation should be completed ahead of the renewal date to avoid an additional charge.
For subscriptions longer than a month that are billed upfront and sold through Ancestry, a limited refund window may apply for a first subscription term that did not begin with a trial. In that scenario, cancellation during the first 14 days may allow a full refund if the subscription is canceled immediately, which typically ends access right away. Alternatively, cancellation can be set to take effect at the end of the current term with no refund, allowing continued access through the paid period. After renewal, refunds are generally not available, and refunds are not based on usage.
Free or paid trials have their own timing rules. Trials can usually be canceled before the cutoff near the end of the trial to avoid being charged. Once a trial ends and the paid subscription charge occurs, refunds are generally not issued except where specific terms or local laws provide otherwise. If the subscription was purchased through the Ancestry mobile app, refunds and cancellations are handled by the platform provider (such as Apple, Google, or Amazon), and the applicable store policies control eligibility and processing.
For billing disputes or unexpected charges, the practical approach is to first confirm the account’s subscription status, renewal date, and purchase channel (website vs. app store). Then, cancel renewal if continued billing is not desired, and contact support with the order details, charge date, and payment method used. If a refund is approved, it is typically returned to the original payment method. If cancellation is completed outside any refund window, access commonly remains active until the end of the paid term, and the subscription should not renew again.
