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Immigration DNA Testing: Top 5 Questions Answered

May 30, 2017 | Immigration DNA Testing

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.

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.

 

14 Comments

  1. Phan

    I had my DNA test in Accra, Ghana since 2014 february. During myour interview in 2018, the consular said he doesn’t have my results. How do I trace my results?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Phan. You need to contact the place where you had your DNA collected in Accra…that’s the place to start.

      Reply
  2. Jay

    How much will it cost and I want to get it done in DC or the nearby suburbs

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Jay. The cost of immigration DNA testing varies depending on several factors. Please call us for a confidential consultation at 800-681-7162.

      Reply
  3. henos yonas

    hi am in addisababa,Ethiopia and i been told by the US embassy to take DNA test. what i want to know is how long will it take the test tool kit to reach the embassy and call me for my test? just give some rough guess. Thank you

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, according to our sales team: “It can be about 1-2 weeks for us to get you the kit and them contact for appointment in Ethiopia. For the entire process, we suggest a total time-frame estimate of 4-6 weeks.” You’re welcome to contact our international number to arrange for testing at 1-513-881-7800, M-F, during the hours of 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time U.S. Or, with your permission, I can have one of our immigration experts email you complete information.

      Reply
  4. Kofi

    I missed my dna appointment date with the us embassy what should i do now and when am I likely to be rescheduled

    Reply
    • DDC

      Scheduling the new appointment depends on where you live. Please contact your DNA test’s facilitator immediately to make that happen for you.

      Reply
  5. Nana

    I missed my DNA appointment date and I have rescheduled please how long will it take to get a new appointment date

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Nana. Give us a call as soon as you can at 800-831-1906

      Reply
  6. Kobina AFFUL

    The embassy ask me to do DNA test with my father who is in u s a,and my father sample have been collected on the 3rd november 2019.how long will it take for me to get my dna appointment.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Kobina. Those appointments are made through the embassy and not us. When it’s your turn, they’ll contact you. It usually takes 4-6 weeks for them to do so, or even a little longer. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  7. Yaw

    According to DDC the us embassy in Ghana has received the dna sampling kit over 2 months ago. Why haven’t they contacted me for an appointment? It’s taking so long so what should I do?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hello, Yaw. Every embassy is different when it comes to timing, and this has especially been true during COVID. You may want to call the embassy directly.

      Reply

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