One of the most common questions couples ask is whether they need to pay for two separate subscriptions to research their family history together. The short answer is: You cannot share a single login, but there are official ways to link your accounts, share one family tree, and even save money with a Family Plan.
If you have just purchased a test for your spouse and are unsure how to set it up, it is vital that you understand how accounts work before you activate the AncestryDNA kit to ensure the results are attached to the correct person.
The 3 Best Ways to Use Ancestry as a Couple
1. The “Editor” Method (Best for Single Subscriptions)
If you only want to pay for one subscription but both want to work on the tree, you do not need to share a password.
- How it works: The wife (for example) holds the paid subscription. She invites the husband’s free “Guest” account to view her tree.
- The Trick: In the tree settings, she must assign him the role of “Editor.”
- Result: Both can add people, photos, and stories to the same tree, but you only pay for one membership.
2. The Ancestry Family Plan (Best for Full Access)
Previously, every user needed a separate paid account. However, Ancestry now offers a Family Plan.
- How it works: One person pays a slightly higher monthly fee but can invite up to 4 other people (like a spouse and children) to have full “All Access” memberships.
- Benefit: Both the husband and wife get their own private logins and full access to historical records, without needing to share a password.
- (Note: If you are currently paying for two individual subscriptions, you should check if switching to a Family Plan is cheaper. If so, you may want to cancel your existing individual subscriptions before upgrading.)
3. Managing DNA for a Spouse
A husband and wife can have their DNA results on the same account.
- Manager Role: When activating a kit, you can choose to be the “Manager” of that test. This means a wife can log into her account and toggle between her DNA results and her husband’s results without logging out.
- Requirement: The husband must provide consent during the activation process for his DNA to be managed by another account.
Why You Should Never Share a Single Login (Risks)
While it might seem easier to just share one email and password, this causes technical issues:
- DNA Confusion: An account can only be linked to one biological person’s self-test.
- Algorithm Errors: Ancestry’s “Hints” engine tracks your search history. If two people are searching for different lineages on the same login, the automated hints will become irrelevant and messy.
- Security Lockouts: Logging in from different devices simultaneously can flag security protocols, forcing you to reset your Ancestry password frequently to regain access.
Sharing a Password vs. Sharing Tree Access
| Feature | Sharing One Password (Not Recommended) | Inviting Spouse as “Editor” (Recommended) |
| Cost | 1 Subscription | 1 Subscription |
| Simultaneous Access | Risk of logout | Yes |
| Search History | Mixed/Messy | Separate/Clean |
| DNA Results | Confusing | Linked correctly |
| Tree Editing | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ancestry does not have a “merge” button. If you and your spouse started separate trees and now want to combine them, you must manually copy the information from one to the other.
No. Ancestry requires a unique email for every account. If you share an inbox, you will need to create a free Gmail or Outlook address to register the second account.
Go to your Tree Settings > Sharing > Invite People. Enter their email address and change the role from “Guest” to “Editor” so they can make changes.
Conclusion:
While a husband and wife cannot technically “share” an account due to privacy and data structure, they can absolutely collaborate. By using the Editor permission feature or upgrading to a Family Plan, you can build your family legacy together without compromising your data or breaking the bank.
Add Comment