MAY 30, 2017

Immigration DNA Testing: Top 5 Questions Answered

Immigration DNA testing has made what was once a long and arduous process much simpler. In order to confirm a biological relationship, family members had to search for birth certificates or other records, and sometimes those documents were nowhere to be found, resulting in lots of stress! Now, a few painless cheek swabs may be all that’s needed to reunite families—it really is a wonderful use of DNA technology.

With DNA testing for immigration come lots of questions, so to help you make sense of what’s required and what to expect, here are some quick answers to top 5 questions.

1. How Much Does it Cost and What’s Included?

Cost is always a very important consideration for potential test participants. As a top DNA lab fully accredited by AABB to perform immigration DNA testing, we are completely transparent about costs from the very first phone call. You are quoted a single price, which includes:

• Shipping of testing materials to approved DNA-collection facilities for immigration testing, both here in the U.S. and abroad
• DNA-collection fees for participants in the U.S.
• Testing services, including processing, analysis, and results, at our in-house lab

2. Can Any DNA Lab Do Immigration DNA Testing?

No! The lab must be accredited specifically by the AABB organization in order to perform immigration testing. When a lab is accredited by the AABB, you can be absolutely sure that all DNA collection and testing processes follow the stringent rules set forth by international standards for this type of testing.

LEARN MORE ABOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMIGRATION DNA TESTING >

3. What Should I Do First?

A Consular Officer at the United States Embassy will generally make a request that you get a DNA test if he/she feels it is warranted. Once that happens, your first move is to call an AABB-accredited lab like DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC). From the first phone call, we’ll walk you through the process from start to finish, giving detailed instructions on what you and the overseas participant(s) need to do. We understand this process can seem a little daunting, but our experts know the system inside and out and will do everything in their power to ensure your test goes smoothly.

4. Who Needs to be Tested?

The Embassy requesting the DNA test or USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) will specify who needs to be tested. For a paternity or maternity test, it’s usually the child and one parent or the child and both parents. In the case of other relationship testing, additional biological relatives will be asked to test in order to obtain conclusive results.

5. How Long Does Testing Take?

In the United States: DNA collection is performed at an approved facility and the process only takes about an hour, including the paperwork completion (which is performed by the DNA collector, who also supervises all other aspects of collection, from start to finish).

Overseas: DNA collection is performed at a foreign country’s United States Embassy or at one of its approved affiliates. Our lab has no control over how long the overseas Embassy takes to collect and submit DNA, but we help to mitigate delays by providing instructions on how to prepare ahead of time and what to take to the appointment.

Once all samples have arrived from the collection facilities, results are posted in one (1) business day for paternity or maternity testing and five (5) business days for all other types of relationship testing (grandparent, aunt-uncle, sibling).

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.

About DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC)

DNA Diagnostic Center is the world leader in paternity and relationship testing. We serve healthcare professionals, government agencies, and individuals around the world to determine family relationships with trusted accuracy.

More Questions? Don’t hesitate to call us: we’re here to help!