In the absence of comprehensive documentation such as valid birth certificates, prospective immigrants and their sponsors can prove biological relationship through immigration DNA testing. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency (USCIS), working with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy locations worldwide, developed rules to ensure that accredited DNA-testing laboratories like DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) maintain the highest standards for immigration DNA testing. Avoiding delays in the immigration process is an important component of due process on the part of test participants, so it’s important to be fully aware of testing requirements and recommendations.

Required: The DNA laboratory performing immigration test must maintain AABB accreditation

A pioneer in the DNA testing industry since 1995, DDC maintains AABB accreditation as well as accreditations for New York (NYSDOH) and ISO (LAB). You can locate us on the AABB list used by USCIS and the Department of State.

Required: The immigration DNA testing process must use chain-of-custody documentation

A qualified, third-party DNA collector verifies the photo ID or recent photograph of each person being tested, and witnesses the DNA sample collection. The collector seals the samples and ships them securely to DDC, where we carefully inspect the samples and the chain-of-custody documents when they arrive.

Required: The DNA testing laboratory must ship a sample collection kit directly to the U.S. Embassy or Embassy-approved collection site

DDC provides easy-to-use collection kits with clear instructions. The collector simply uses the kit, signs the documents, and ships samples back to our laboratory using the included prepaid courier mailer.

Required: The DNA testing laboratory must coordinate directly with the U.S. Embassy or USCIS center

DDC provides easy-to-understand, scientifically-sound, and legally-defensible DNA test results directly to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS Office. Petitioners can also access their results online with a username and password they provide. You can avoid delays in the immigration process by not trying to coordinate testing with the embassy yourself—remember that’s the responsibility of the DNA lab.

Recommended: DNA paternity test (or maternity test) results should produce a relationship probability of at least 99.9%

Many consular officers may only accept test results reporting a 99.99% or greater degree of certainty, although some may accept as low as 99.5%.  DDC only provides results probabilities of 99.99% or greater, using extended testing panels and additional testing as needed to meet or exceed the minimum probability. Sibling and half-sibling relationships are now accepted as proof of relationship, as long as the probability of relationship is 90% or higher.

 Recommended: USCIS prefers cheek (buccal) swab collection and PCR testing

The PCR process is the method that now acts as the gold standard for paternity and other relationship testing worldwide. The PCR process at DDC uses simple cheek swabs to collect DNA safely, effectively, and painlessly.

The Bottom Line

With thousands of qualified collectors in the United States, and a working relationship with the more than 200 U.S. Embassy offices worldwide, you can count on the professionals at DDC to follow all necessary steps and help you get the immigration DNA testing you need: all while doing everything possible for avoiding delays in the immigration process. DDC continues to reach or exceed the highest standards in paternity testing and immigration DNA testing so you can truly have peace of mind.

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

If you have a question about DNA immigration testing, leave a comment and we’ll answer.