Guide · Updated March 2026
How to Export a GEDCOM File from FamilySearch
FamilySearch is the world's largest free genealogy platform. Here's how to download your family tree as a GEDCOM file — completely free.
Good news: FamilySearch is 100% free. No subscription needed to export your tree.
Important: FamilySearch uses a shared tree
Unlike Ancestry or MyHeritage, FamilySearch has one shared treethat all users edit together. This means you're not exporting “your” tree — you're exporting a portion of the shared global tree centered on your ancestors.
Step-by-step export
- Go to FamilySearch.org and sign in with your free account.
- Navigate to the person you want as the starting point of your export.
- Click on their name to open their person page.
- Look for the “Export” or “Download GEDCOM” option.
- Choose how many generations to include (typically 4-8).
- Click Download. The .ged file saves to your Downloads folder.
Alternative: Use RootsMagic (free version available) which syncs directly with FamilySearch and can export GEDCOM files.
What's included?
- Individuals and relationships within selected generations
- Birth, death, and marriage dates and places
- Source citations
- Notes
🌳 Transform your FamilySearch tree
Upload your GEDCOM and get an interactive family website with tree, timeline, and migration map. Free preview — no signup needed.
Upload your GEDCOM →