Immigration DNA Testing
When immigration officials need additional proof of a biological relationship, DNA Paternity Solutions can help coordinate a secure, legal DNA test for family members in the United States and abroad.
Call for pricing. Costs vary according to the relationship tested, destination country, overseas collection arrangements, and international FedEx shipping.
What Is Immigration DNA Testing?
Immigration DNA testing is a legal relationship test used when birth certificates or other documents do not provide enough evidence of a claimed biological family relationship. Testing may be recommended by USCIS, a U.S. embassy or consulate, a passport agency, or another immigration authority.
The collection is normally completed with a painless cheek swab. Strict identification, witnessed collection, shipping, and chain-of-custody procedures protect the integrity of the samples and results.
How Immigration DNA Testing Works
Call and Review Your Case
Tell us who needs to be tested, where each person is located, the country involved, and which agency requested the test. Please have your immigration letter, case number, and contact information available if they were provided.
Complete the Collections
We coordinate testing through an AABB-accredited relationship-testing laboratory. The person in the United States completes a witnessed legal collection. For a participant abroad, the kit is sent to the authorized embassy, consulate, or approved collection location—not to the family.
Official Results Are Delivered
After all samples arrive at the laboratory, they are tested and reviewed. The laboratory sends the official results directly to the requesting government office as required. The tested parties may also request their own copy from the laboratory.
Who Can Be Tested?
The appropriate test depends on the biological relationship the immigration authority needs to verify.
- Father and child — paternity testing
- Mother and child — maternity testing
- Full or half siblings — siblingship testing
- Grandparent and grandchild — grandparentage testing
- Aunt or uncle and niece or nephew — avuncular testing
Parent-child testing is generally the most direct option. More distant relationship tests may require additional relatives or evidence, depending on the case and the requesting authority.
Have You Received a DNA Request Letter?
Call us before ordering or collecting any samples. Immigration cases require a controlled process, and a home DNA test or privately handled kit is generally not acceptable for official use.
Please do not mail a test kit directly to your family member overseas. The accredited laboratory must ship it to the collection location designated for the case.
Speak With a DNA SpecialistImmigration DNA Testing FAQs
Does USCIS accept any DNA test?
No. For U.S. immigration purposes, the testing must be performed by an AABB-accredited relationship-testing laboratory and must follow the required legal chain-of-custody process. At-home or informational DNA tests are not appropriate for an immigration case.
Can I mail the DNA kit directly to my relative overseas?
No. For an official U.S. immigration, passport, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad case, the family should not receive or handle the overseas kit. The accredited laboratory sends the kit to the appropriate U.S. embassy, consulate, or authorized collection location.
Does my family member have to travel to the United States?
Usually not. One person can complete a witnessed collection in the United States while the relative abroad is collected at the authorized overseas location designated for the case.
Is the collection painful?
No. DNA samples are generally collected by gently rubbing a sterile swab inside the cheek. The process is quick, non-invasive, and suitable for adults and children.
How much does immigration DNA testing cost?
Please call for pricing. The total varies based on the relationship being tested, the number and location of participants, the destination country, overseas collection fees, and international FedEx shipping charges.
How long does the process take?
Timing varies by country and case. International delivery, embassy or consulate appointment availability, sample return shipping, and laboratory processing all affect the timeline. We will explain the expected steps when we review your case.
Will a positive DNA result guarantee approval?
No. DNA testing can provide evidence of a biological relationship, but it does not guarantee approval of a visa, immigration petition, passport, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The government agency makes the final decision.
Should I order a test before immigration officials request one?
It is usually best to wait until USCIS, a U.S. embassy or consulate, or another requesting agency provides instructions. If you already received a letter recommending DNA testing, call us and have the letter and case information available.
Need Immigration DNA Testing?
Call DNA Paternity Solutions. We’ll review your situation, explain the collection and shipping process, and provide pricing for your specific country and family relationship.