DNA testing answers depend on more than the collection kit you receive at home. The laboratory performing the analysis, the standards it follows, and the way the testing provider works with that laboratory all matter.
My Forever DNA® provides DNA sample collection options, customer guidance, and coordination for relationship DNA testing. The laboratory analysis itself is performed by Universal Forensics Corporation (UFC Lab), an independent U.S.-based laboratory partner.
Universal Forensics Corporation is currently listed by AABB as an AABB-accredited Relationship Testing facility. My Forever DNA® works with UFC so customers can access relationship DNA testing supported by established laboratory standards while still receiving direct guidance from the My Forever DNA® team.
Key Takeaways
- My Forever DNA® is not the laboratory performing the DNA analysis. It provides testing options, customer support, and coordination with its laboratory partner.
- Universal Forensics Corporation (UFC Lab) processes the relationship DNA testing.
- UFC Lab is currently listed by AABB as an accredited Relationship Testing facility.
- AABB accreditation is directly relevant to parentage and other biological relationship testing.
- Customers can independently verify UFC Lab through AABB's public accredited-facility directory.
Who Processes My Forever DNA® Tests?
Relationship DNA samples submitted through My Forever DNA® are sent for laboratory analysis through Universal Forensics Corporation, also known as UFC Lab.
UFC is based in Somerset, Pennsylvania and specializes in relationship DNA testing and related laboratory services. Its own laboratory information describes services for both informational and legal relationship testing. AABB also currently lists Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab, in its public directory of accredited Relationship Testing facilities.
This separation is important to understand:
My Forever DNA®
My Forever DNA® is the company you order from and contact for help with testing options, collection questions, and customer support.
Universal Forensics Corporation
Universal Forensics Corporation is the independent laboratory partner performing the DNA analysis.
My Forever DNA®'s Trust & Transparency Statement makes the same distinction, explaining that the collection kit does not perform analysis at home and that laboratory analysis takes place after samples are returned.
Is My Forever DNA® an AABB-Accredited Laboratory?
My Forever DNA® itself should not be described as the AABB-accredited laboratory.
The AABB-accredited entity performing the relationship testing is Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab.
That distinction helps customers verify the claim correctly. When a DNA testing company works with an independent laboratory partner, the laboratory name is the name you should look for in the relevant accreditation directory.
Verify the AABB Listing
AABB currently lists:
Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab
Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA
Review UFC Lab Directly
You can also review the laboratory's own website, services, and contact information.
What Does AABB Accreditation Mean for Relationship DNA Testing?
AABB maintains standards specifically for facilities performing relationship testing, including parentage and more complex biological relationship analysis.
Its Relationship Testing Accreditation Program assesses facilities against standards covering areas such as testing procedures, quality systems, relationship calculations, traceability, verification, and reporting.
That makes AABB particularly relevant when you are evaluating a laboratory for tests involving relationships such as paternity, maternity, sibling relationships, grandparent relationships, or other biological family connections.
For a deeper explanation of AABB, CAP, ISO, CLIA, and other credentials, use our dedicated educational guide: The Truth About DNA Testing and Accreditations.
Why Does the Laboratory Partner Matter for an At-Home DNA Test?
An at-home DNA test does not mean the DNA analysis happens at home.
For a standard My Forever DNA® relationship test, the home portion of the process is the sample collection. Once collected, the samples are returned for laboratory processing.
That means the quality of the laboratory still matters even when you are testing only for personal knowledge.
The laboratory is responsible for the scientific analysis used to evaluate the submitted relationship. My Forever DNA® remains the customer-facing point of contact for helping you understand which testing path to choose and how to complete the collection process.
How Are DNA Genetic Markers Used in Relationship Testing?
Relationship DNA testing compares genetic information between the people being tested to evaluate whether their DNA supports the biological relationship being investigated.
Different relationships do not always require exactly the same analytical approach. A direct parent-child comparison is different from evaluating a sibling, grandparent, or aunt-or-uncle relationship.
DNA Genetic Markers
Current My Forever DNA® testing information describes 24 DNA genetic markers for certain relationship tests.
DNA Genetic Markers
More complex relationship tests may use 46 DNA genetic markers, depending on the test selected.
The marker count is tied to the type of analysis rather than being one universal number for every test.
Marker count should not be treated as the only measure of test quality. Relationship interpretation also depends on the type of relationship, the people participating, the laboratory's procedures, the genetic information obtained, and the statistical analysis applied to the case.
If you want to know which test applies to your family situation, contact My Forever DNA® before ordering.
How Can You Verify the Laboratory Behind Your DNA Test?
You should be able to verify a laboratory claim without relying only on a badge or marketing statement.
For My Forever DNA® relationship testing, you can check the laboratory partner in two places.
Verify Universal Forensics Corporation With AABB
AABB maintains a public directory of facilities currently accredited for Relationship Testing activities.
Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab, is currently included in that directory.
Review Universal Forensics Corporation Directly
You can also review the laboratory's own website, services, and contact information.
UFC identifies itself as an AABB-accredited DNA laboratory and provides information about its relationship and legal DNA testing services.
What About CAP Laboratory Standards?
CAP, the College of American Pathologists, provides laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs that support laboratory quality and performance.
That is a different role from AABB's specific Relationship Testing accreditation program. AABB directly publishes standards and maintains an accredited-facility directory for laboratories performing relationship testing.
For this reason, this page uses UFC Lab's current AABB Relationship Testing accreditation as the primary independently verifiable accreditation reference.
If you want to understand how AABB and CAP differ, including where other credentials such as ISO and CLIA fit, read DNA Testing Accreditations Explained.
Does AABB Accreditation Make an At-Home Test a Legal DNA Test?
No.
The laboratory and the sample-collection process are separate parts of legal DNA testing.
A self-collected at-home test is generally intended for personal relationship information. If a result needs to be used for an official purpose, the case may require identity verification, witnessed collection, documented chain-of-custody, and other procedures required for legal testing.
AABB explains that its accredited relationship-testing facilities follow standards around relationship testing and chain of custody, and that U.S. immigration DNA cases require the appropriate AABB-accredited process.
If you may need your result for court, custody, child support, immigration, inheritance, or another official purpose, do not begin with a standard self-collected test.
Which Relationship DNA Tests Use Laboratory Analysis?
My Forever DNA® provides testing options for several types of biological relationship questions, including direct parent-child testing and more complex family relationships.
Depending on your situation, you may need:
This page does not determine which test you need. For that, use How to Choose the Right At-Home DNA Test or speak with the My Forever DNA® team.
Frequently Asked Questions About the My Forever DNA® Laboratory Partner
What laboratory does My Forever DNA® use?
My Forever DNA® works with Universal Forensics Corporation, also known as UFC Lab, for relationship DNA laboratory analysis.
Is Universal Forensics Corporation AABB accredited?
Yes. Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab, is currently listed in AABB's public directory of accredited Relationship Testing facilities.
Is My Forever DNA® itself the laboratory?
No. My Forever DNA® provides DNA collection options, customer support, and coordination. The laboratory analysis is performed through its independent laboratory partner.
Where is Universal Forensics Corporation located?
UFC Lab is listed by AABB in Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA.
Why should I check the laboratory name instead of only the DNA testing brand?
A DNA testing company may work with an independent accredited laboratory rather than own the laboratory itself. When that happens, accreditation should be verified using the name of the facility actually performing the relevant laboratory work.
Does an AABB-accredited laboratory automatically make my test court-admissible?
No. Legal usability also depends on completing the required legal collection and chain-of-custody process. A privately self-collected at-home sample is not automatically converted into a legal test simply because the laboratory is accredited.
Can I verify UFC Lab's accreditation myself?
Yes. Search for Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab in the AABB Accredited Relationship Testing Facilities directory.
Know Who Is Behind Your DNA Test
When you order relationship DNA testing, you should be able to understand who you are purchasing from, who performs the laboratory analysis, and how the laboratory's credentials can be checked.
My Forever DNA® provides the customer-facing testing experience and support. Universal Forensics Corporation provides the relationship DNA laboratory analysis, and UFC Lab is currently listed by AABB as an accredited Relationship Testing facility.
That gives customers a clear laboratory relationship they can verify independently before ordering.
Verify UFC Lab With AABB Explore At-Home DNA Tests Contact My Forever DNA®Important Testing Information
My Forever DNA® at-home relationship DNA testing products are intended for informational use unless an appropriate legal chain-of-custody test is specifically arranged.
Relationship DNA testing products are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or assess any medical condition.
Legal and immigration testing have additional collection, identity-verification, documentation, and chain-of-custody requirements. Contact My Forever DNA® before ordering if your results may need to be submitted to a court, government agency, embassy, consulate, or other official organization.
