Explore Your Family History with an Ancestry DNA Test Kit
DNA testing can answer many different kinds of questions. Some people want to explore where their ancestors came from, learn more about ethnicity estimates, build a family tree, or connect with possible genetic relatives. Others need a DNA test to answer a more specific biological relationship question, such as paternity, maternity, sibling, grandparent, or aunt and uncle testing.
Understanding the difference matters. An ancestry DNA test and a relationship DNA test are not the same thing, and choosing the wrong test can leave you with results that do not answer your real question.
My Forever DNA® does not currently process ancestry DNA testing directly. However, we are proud to help customers understand the difference between ancestry testing and relationship DNA testing, and we may recommend trusted affiliate options when ancestry testing is a better fit for your goals.
Affiliate disclosure: My Forever DNA® may earn a commission if you purchase through certain AncestryDNA links or ads on this page. This does not change the price you pay, and we only recommend options we believe may be helpful for customers looking for family history and ancestry insights.
What Is Ancestry DNA Testing?
Ancestry DNA testing is designed to help you explore your broader family history. Instead of answering one specific relationship question, an ancestry DNA test looks at patterns in your DNA that may connect to regions, populations, migration history, and possible genetic relatives.
AncestryDNA may help you learn more about your ancestral origins, discover possible DNA matches, explore family migration stories, and connect your DNA results with genealogy tools such as family trees and historical records.
AncestryDNA is best understood as a family history and genealogy tool. It is not designed to replace a paternity DNA test, sibling DNA test, grandparent DNA test, legal DNA test, or any other relationship-specific test.
Explore AncestryDNA test kits and current offers
What AncestryDNA May Help You Discover
AncestryDNA can be helpful if your goal is to learn more about your family story rather than confirm one specific biological relationship. Depending on the kit, account settings, subscription access, available records, and DNA matches, AncestryDNA may help you explore:
- Ancestral origins: Learn more about the regions, populations, and communities your DNA may connect to.
- DNA matches: View possible genetic relatives who have also tested and chosen to participate in DNA matching.
- Migration stories: Explore how ancestors may have moved across regions, countries, or communities over time.
- Family tree research: Combine DNA results with family trees, historical records, and genealogy research tools.
- Family history clues: Use DNA results as a starting point for deeper research into your family’s past.
Learn more about family history research with Ancestry
Ancestry DNA Testing vs. Relationship DNA Testing
Before ordering any DNA test, ask yourself one important question: what do I need this test to tell me?
If your goal is to explore family history, ethnicity, genealogy, and possible DNA relatives, AncestryDNA may be the right fit. If your goal is to confirm whether two people share a specific biological relationship, you need a relationship DNA test instead.
Ancestry DNA Testing Is Usually Used For
- Exploring ethnicity estimates and ancestral origins
- Learning about family migration patterns
- Finding possible DNA relatives through matching tools
- Building or expanding a family tree
- Researching genealogy and historical records
Relationship DNA Testing Is Usually Used For
- Confirming whether an alleged father is the biological father of a child
- Determining whether two people may be full siblings, half siblings, or unrelated
- Establishing a possible grandparent-grandchild relationship
- Confirming maternity or biological motherhood
- Testing an aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew relationship
- Using discreet or alternative DNA samples when a cheek swab is not available
- Completing legal chain-of-custody DNA testing when court-admissible results are needed
If you need relationship testing instead of ancestry testing, explore our private at-home DNA test kits.
Can AncestryDNA Prove Paternity?
No. AncestryDNA is not the right test if you need to determine whether a man is the biological father of a child.
AncestryDNA may show possible DNA matches between people who have tested and opted into matching, but it is not designed to provide a formal paternity conclusion, probability of paternity, legal chain-of-custody documentation, or a court-admissible relationship result.
If you need to confirm paternity for personal knowledge, a paternity DNA test is the better option. If you need results for court, child support, custody, immigration, or a birth certificate change, you need legal chain-of-custody DNA testing.
Who AncestryDNA May Be Best For
AncestryDNA may be a good fit if your goal is to explore your family story rather than confirm a specific relationship for personal or legal clarity.
- You want to learn more about your ethnic origins.
- You are interested in genealogy or building a family tree.
- You want to explore possible DNA matches through Ancestry’s matching tools.
- You are researching family migration, ancestral communities, or historical records.
- You want an ancestry-focused DNA test rather than a paternity or family relationship DNA test.
Explore Ancestry family history research tools
When My Forever DNA® May Be the Better Fit
If your question is about paternity, maternity, siblingship, grandparentage, aunt or uncle relationships, discreet sample testing, or legal chain-of-custody DNA testing, AncestryDNA is not the right type of test.
My Forever DNA® specializes in private DNA testing options for real family situations where clarity, privacy, accuracy, and real human support matter. Our team helps customers understand which DNA testing option may best fit their needs before they move forward.
- At-home paternity DNA testing
- Sibling DNA testing
- Grandparent DNA testing
- Maternity DNA testing
- Discreet DNA testing using alternative samples
- Legal chain-of-custody DNA testing
How the AncestryDNA Process Usually Works
AncestryDNA is typically completed through a saliva collection kit. After ordering, customers follow Ancestry’s instructions to activate the kit, collect the saliva sample, mail it back, and wait for results to be processed.
- Order the kit: Purchase an AncestryDNA kit from Ancestry or an authorized offer page.
- Activate the kit: Register the kit with Ancestry so the sample can be connected to the correct account.
- Collect the sample: Follow the saliva collection instructions included with the kit.
- Mail the sample: Return the sample according to Ancestry’s instructions.
- Review results: Results may include ancestry insights, DNA matches, and genealogy tools depending on account settings and available features.
Processing times can vary. Always review Ancestry’s current kit instructions, processing timeline, privacy information, and subscription details before purchasing.
Review AncestryDNA processing time information
Privacy Matters with Any DNA Test
DNA information is deeply personal. Before purchasing any DNA test, take time to review how the company handles your sample, results, privacy settings, data controls, matching features, account deletion options, and any optional research participation.
AncestryDNA and My Forever DNA® are different companies with different services, systems, and privacy practices. Reviewing the privacy policy before ordering helps you make a more informed decision.
You can review Ancestry’s current privacy information here: Ancestry Privacy Statement.
You can also review My Forever DNA® privacy information here: My Forever DNA® Privacy Policy.
Need Help Choosing the Right DNA Test?
If you are not sure whether you need ancestry testing or relationship DNA testing, My Forever DNA® can help you understand the difference before you order.
AncestryDNA is generally used for family history, ethnicity, genealogy, and DNA relative matching. My Forever DNA® at-home testing options are designed for paternity, maternity, sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle, discreet, and other relationship testing needs.
You can also visit our DNA Testing Glossary or DNA Testing Resources page for more helpful education.
Contact My Forever DNA® for help choosing the right DNA test
Ancestry DNA Test Kit FAQ
Does My Forever DNA® offer ancestry DNA testing?
My Forever DNA® does not currently process ancestry DNA testing directly. We may recommend AncestryDNA through affiliate links or ads for customers who are specifically looking for genealogy, ethnicity, and family history DNA testing.
Is AncestryDNA the same as a paternity test?
No. AncestryDNA is designed for ancestry, ethnicity, genealogy, and DNA relative matching. A paternity DNA test is specifically designed to help determine whether an alleged father is the biological father of a child.
Can AncestryDNA prove a sibling, grandparent, or aunt and uncle relationship?
AncestryDNA may show possible DNA matches if both people have tested and matching is available, but it is not designed to provide the same type of relationship-specific conclusion as a sibling, grandparent, or aunt and uncle DNA test. If you need to answer a specific relationship question, choose a relationship DNA test.
Can AncestryDNA be used in court?
No. AncestryDNA is not intended for legal paternity, custody, child support, immigration, birth certificate changes, or court-admissible relationship testing. Legal DNA testing requires proper chain-of-custody collection.
Can AncestryDNA connect me with relatives?
AncestryDNA may identify possible DNA matches if both users have tested, matching is available, and the relevant privacy settings allow matching. Results and match availability may vary.
How long does AncestryDNA take?
Processing times can vary. Ancestry currently states that DNA processing usually takes several weeks after the saliva sample is received. Review Ancestry’s current timing and kit instructions before purchasing, especially during high-demand periods.
Do I need an Ancestry subscription?
Some AncestryDNA features, records, family tree tools, or enhanced research options may require an Ancestry membership or subscription. Review the current offer details before purchasing so you understand what is included with the kit and what may require a separate subscription.
What if I need a paternity, sibling, or grandparent DNA test instead?
If you need to answer a specific biological relationship question, My Forever DNA® may be the better fit. Visit our at-home DNA test collection to compare private testing options.
Start with the Right DNA Test for Your Question
If your goal is to explore ancestry, ethnicity, genealogy, and possible family connections, AncestryDNA may be a helpful place to begin.
View current AncestryDNA kit deals
If your goal is to confirm a biological relationship, compare My Forever DNA® private at-home DNA testing options or contact a DNA Specialist for guidance.
Important DNA Testing Disclaimer
AncestryDNA is a third-party ancestry and genealogy DNA testing service and is not processed by My Forever DNA®. My Forever DNA® may receive compensation when customers purchase through certain affiliate links or ads on this page.
Ancestry DNA testing is not intended for court-admissible paternity testing, custody, child support, immigration, birth certificate changes, Social Security claims, inheritance claims, or other legal purposes. Legal DNA testing requires proper chain-of-custody collection.
DNA testing products are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or assess any medical condition. Always review the privacy policy, terms, current pricing, kit instructions, subscription details, and result limitations before purchasing any DNA test.
