Immigration to the United States is a dream for many, especially if they already have family members living in America. The process takes a lot of time and there are many hurdles that must be cleared before the move is approved. Fortunately, the part in the process that requires proof of a family relationship has become much simpler and manageable thanks to an immigration DNA test.

Today, you no longer need to find long-lost birth certificates or other legal paperwork to confirm relationships: instead, you just need science to help prove a close biological family connection with your petitioner. It only takes a phone call to an accredited laboratory to get started with an immigration DNA test, but it’s wise to do a little research and become knowledgeable about the process first. Here are some “must-know” basics.

Immigration DNA Test: What to Know Before You Begin

• The request for an immigration DNA test must come from the United States Embassy itself, and the embassy is the party that determines if it’s necessary
• The testing is completely voluntary—petitioners and beneficiaries do not have to test, but remember they must then provide other types of proof of relationship
• Agreeing to and performing a DNA test does not guarantee that the immigration request will be granted
• All costs for testing and any other related expenses (such as travel) are the responsibility of the petitioner and/or the beneficiary
• Every immigration DNA test must be what’s known as a “legal test:” All DNA collection and submission of the samples to the lab must be supervised by an approved witness. In other words, you can’t do an at-home DNA test and expect results to be accepted as proof of relationship for immigration—these types of results will not be accepted

Immigration DNA Test: How It Works

• For tested parties living in the United States, DNA samples are collected at an approved collection facility near their home. Once the embassy requests an immigration DNA test, an appointment for collection can be arranged by a client-support professional from an AABB-accredited laboratory like DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC): Accommodations are made to suit participants’ schedules, and advice is given for what is needed during the collection—this ensures the best possible testing experience
• Participants living outside the United States have their DNA test collection conducted at the United States Embassy or an affiliate thereof. NOTE: The lab in the U.S. has no control over how soon the overseas parties’ appointments are scheduled
• Once all parties’ samples have been collected, they are sent to the lab and the testing is performed
• When testing is complete, results are sent directly to the embassy

LEARN MORE ABOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR AN IMMIGRATION DNA TEST >

 Final Thoughts

If you’re considering becoming a petitioner or beneficiary of immigration DNA testing, no doubt you have many more questions. Our experts are ready to answer them, help you know where to go and what to do, then expedite the collections and testing process as much as possible. We understand the potentially life-changing consequences of immigration DNA testing results in the lives of all participants, and we take our part in your journey seriously.

Call us at 800-929-0847: We’re here to help.

Do you have questions or comments about immigration DNA testing? Share in the comments and we’ll answer.