What is the PAF file format?
A .paf file is a Personal Ancestral File database - the proprietary binary format used by Personal Ancestral File (PAF), a free genealogy application developed and distributed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through FamilySearch. PAF was first released in 1984 for the Apple II and later ported to Windows; PAF 5.x was the final major version.
.paf files store a relational genealogy database containing individuals, family relationships, life events (birth, marriage, death), source citations, and notes. The format is proprietary binary with no public specification ever released by FamilySearch or Intellectual Reserve, Inc. The internal structure differs between PAF 2.x and PAF 5.x files, so older databases may not open correctly in third-party viewers.
FamilySearch discontinued PAF on July 15, 2013, and the software is no longer available for download. The standard migration path is to export data from PAF as a GEDCOM (.ged) file and import it into a current genealogy application - RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, and Ancestral Quest are the most widely used alternatives. Ancestral Quest is the only currently maintained Windows genealogy application that claims direct .paf import support without requiring a GEDCOM export step first.
.paf files are Windows-only and have no practical use outside legacy genealogy archiving scenarios.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPAF files are genealogy data files with no executable code. Primary concern is privacy - PAF databases contain personal information about living relatives; handle with appropriate discretion. No malware risk from the format itself.
Format details
in a nutshell- PortableApps.com Format (PAF) - .paf is also the extension for PortableApps.com installer packages - a completely unrelated format for portable Windows applications.
Programs that open PAF files
Windows3 apps
RootsMagic
Freemium File → Import → select PAF file. RootsMagic can import PAF databases. Free RootsMagic Essentials available. 
Ancestral Quest
Freemium File → Open → browse to .paf file. Ancestral Quest is the only current software explicitly advertising full PAF file compatibility.
PAF (Personal Ancestral File)
Free Original program - discontinued July 15, 2013. No longer available from FamilySearch. Unofficial copies may still circulate.
FamilySearch.org
Free Upload a GEDCOM export from PAF: in PAF use File → Export GEDCOM, then upload to FamilySearch.org family tree. Free. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Proprietary binary relational genealogy database; no public format specification released |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Data stored | Individuals, family relationships, life events (birth/marriage/death), source citations, and notes |
| Version variants | PAF 2.x and PAF 5.x use different internal structures; not fully interchangeable between versions |
| Interoperability export | GEDCOM (`.ged`) is the standard export format for migrating data to other genealogy applications |
| Operating system | Windows only (PAF 5.x); earlier versions ran on Apple II and DOS |
| Software discontinuation | FamilySearch discontinued PAF on July 15, 2013; no longer distributed or supported |
| Direct import support | Ancestral Quest is the only currently maintained app claiming direct `.paf` import without GEDCOM conversion |
| Typical file size | 50 KB - 50 MB; average personal family database is 1-5 MB |
| Developer | Intellectual Reserve, Inc. / The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FamilySearch) |
| Released | 1984 (PAF 1.0 for Apple II); Windows version PAF 5.x, final version |
| Latest version | PAF 5.2.18.0 (last release before July 2013 discontinuation) |
PAF conversions
Community Q&A
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