Start the Correct Immigration DNA Testing Process
Immigration DNA testing follows a controlled process when a U.S. government authority recommends DNA evidence to help establish a claimed biological relationship.
For U.S. visa, passport, and citizenship DNA cases, the official testing process must be initiated through an AABB-accredited Relationship Testing facility. A standard self-collected at-home DNA test does not meet the required identity verification, chain-of-custody, collection, and official reporting procedures.
My Forever DNA® can help you understand which testing pathway applies and provide direct access to our laboratory partner, Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab. UFC Lab is currently listed by AABB as an accredited Relationship Testing facility and manages the official immigration DNA case.
Key Takeaways
- Immigration DNA testing is generally used when existing evidence is not enough to establish a claimed biological relationship.
- U.S. visa, passport, and citizenship DNA cases require the appropriate AABB-accredited process.
- Do not order or collect a standard at-home DNA test first if DNA evidence is needed for an official immigration-related case.
- The accredited facility manages case setup, collection instructions, chain of custody, laboratory testing, and official result submission.
- DNA results can support a biological relationship claim, but they do not guarantee approval of a visa, passport, citizenship claim, or immigration benefit.
Begin Your Immigration DNA Case Directly With UFC Lab
If a U.S. authority has recommended DNA testing, use the secure UFC Lab referral form to begin the official case.
Universal Forensics Corporation will review your case information and provide the applicable pricing, required documents, payment instructions, collection arrangements, and next steps.
Important: Immigration DNA testing is case-specific and is not purchased through the normal My Forever DNA® at-home checkout.
Do Not Order a Regular At-Home DNA Test for Immigration
A privately collected home DNA test can answer a personal relationship question, but it does not create the documented identity, professional collection, chain of custody, and official reporting required for immigration DNA testing.
If DNA evidence has been recommended for your case:
- Do not collect samples before receiving instructions from the accredited facility.
- Do not order a standard paternity or relationship kit and expect it to be converted later.
- Do not privately send DNA samples to USCIS, an Embassy, Consulate, Passport Services, or another authority.
If your situation involves custody, child support, a birth certificate change, inheritance, or another non-immigration legal matter, review Legal DNA Testing instead.
What Is Immigration DNA Testing?
Immigration DNA testing is relationship DNA testing performed under specific government and laboratory procedures to help establish a claimed biological family relationship.
It may be suggested when birth certificates, civil records, or other evidence are unavailable, incomplete, inconsistent, or considered insufficient by the authority reviewing the case.
DNA testing is not required in every immigration, passport, or citizenship matter. The government authority handling the case determines whether DNA evidence is appropriate.
For a broader educational explanation, read Immigration DNA Testing: What It Is, When It's Required, and How the Process Works.
Why Does AABB Accreditation Matter for Immigration DNA Testing?
AABB accredits Relationship Testing facilities that meet standards for relationship testing, chain of custody, traceability, verification, and reporting.
For U.S. visa, passport, and citizenship cases, the official case must be initiated with an appropriately AABB-accredited facility.
Universal Forensics Corporation, UFC Lab, is currently listed in AABB's public directory of accredited Relationship Testing facilities.
Which Relationships Can Be Tested?
The appropriate relationship test depends on the government process and the biological relationship that needs to be established.
Paternity Testing
Paternity testing evaluates a claimed biological father-child relationship.
This is a direct relationship test and is commonly used when biological paternity must be supported with DNA evidence.
Maternity Testing
Maternity testing evaluates a claimed biological mother-child relationship.
Like paternity testing, it directly compares the claimed parent and child.
Full-Sibling and Half-Sibling Testing
Sibling DNA testing may be used when two people need to establish whether they share one or both biological parents.
The case must clearly identify whether the claimed relationship is full siblingship or half siblingship.
Aunt, Uncle, or Grandparent Testing in Certain Citizenship or Passport Cases
Some U.S. passport or citizenship cases may consider DNA testing involving an aunt, uncle, or grandparent when a parent cannot participate.
These relationships should not be assumed to apply to every immigration case.
For immigrant visa cases, Department of State guidance primarily identifies paternity, maternity, full-sibling, and half-sibling testing.
If your case involves a more distant relative, let the requesting authority and UFC Lab confirm the appropriate testing route before samples are collected.
How the Immigration DNA Testing Process Works
Receive the Agency's DNA Testing Recommendation
Follow the instructions from USCIS, a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, Passport Services, or the authority handling your case.
Keep the request, letter, or case information available because the accredited facility may need it when opening the case.
Initiate the Case With UFC Lab
Use the UFC Lab immigration referral form:
https://ufclab.forms-db.com/view.php?id=35397
UFC Lab reviews the case and confirms the appropriate relationship test, participants, documentation, collection arrangements, and reporting process.
Receive Pricing and Case Instructions
The laboratory provides the case-specific fees, forms, payment instructions, participant requirements, and collection information.
Do not collect samples before receiving these instructions.
U.S.-Based Participants Complete Professional Collection
Participants located in the United States follow the collection instructions arranged by the accredited facility.
Identity is verified, the DNA sample is professionally collected, and the required documentation and sample are returned through the controlled case process.
Participants can often be collected in different locations when necessary.
International Participants Follow Embassy or Consulate Procedures
When an applicant or beneficiary must be collected outside the United States, the accredited laboratory sends the required collection kit through the official Embassy or Consulate process when applicable.
The applicant or family does not privately receive or handle the kit.
The Embassy or Consulate arranges the collection appointment, and the completed sample is returned through the controlled process.
Chain of Custody Is Maintained
The official case documents who provided each sample and how the sample was collected, handled, transported, received, tested, and reported.
This is one of the main differences between immigration DNA testing and a self-collected at-home test.
The Laboratory Performs the Relationship Analysis
Once all required samples and documentation have arrived, the laboratory performs the appropriate relationship DNA analysis.
Some cases may require additional analysis depending on the relationship and the available genetic evidence.
Official Results Are Sent to the Required Authority
The laboratory sends the official report directly to the USCIS office, U.S. Embassy or Consulate, Passport Services, or other recipient required by the case.
How Much Does Immigration DNA Testing Cost?
There is no single price for every immigration DNA case.
The total cost can depend on:
- The relationship being tested
- The number of participants
- Where each participant is located
- Domestic or international collection requirements
- Embassy or Consulate coordination
- Whether additional laboratory analysis is needed
The petitioner and/or beneficiary is responsible for the testing and related case costs.
UFC Lab provides the current case-specific quote after reviewing the referral information.
How Long Does Immigration DNA Testing Take?
The laboratory testing time and the full immigration DNA process are not the same thing.
AABB notes that many relationship tests are reported within about a week after all required samples have been received, although extended testing can take longer.
The full case can take longer because of:
- Case setup and documentation
- Collection scheduling
- International shipping
- Embassy or Consulate appointment availability
- Sample return
- Additional testing requirements
- Government processing after the results are received
UFC Lab can provide a more relevant timeline after reviewing the specific case.
What Happens After the DNA Test Results Are Sent?
DNA testing answers the biological relationship question addressed by the laboratory.
It does not make the final immigration, visa, passport, citizenship, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad decision.
After the appropriate authority receives the official laboratory report, the government agency continues reviewing the full case.
For visa, passport, or citizenship cases, the applicant or petitioner may be contacted once the report has been received so processing can continue.
If the DNA result does not support the claimed biological relationship, the case may be affected. Questions about the legal or immigration consequences of an unexpected result should be discussed with the appropriate government authority or a qualified immigration attorney.
How My Forever DNA® Helps
My Forever DNA® can help you understand whether your situation calls for immigration DNA testing, ordinary legal testing, or an at-home relationship test.
For immigration DNA cases, My Forever DNA® provides access to the direct UFC Lab referral pathway. The official case, including pricing, collection instructions, chain of custody, laboratory testing, and result submission, is managed by Universal Forensics Corporation.
Immigration DNA Testing Resources
My Forever DNA® Resources
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration DNA Testing
Can I buy immigration DNA testing directly from the My Forever DNA® website?
No standard at-home DNA product should be purchased for an immigration case.
Use the direct UFC Lab referral form instead:
Do I need an official request before starting?
Follow the instructions from the government authority handling your case.
For visa, passport, and citizenship cases, DNA testing is generally used after the reviewing authority determines that additional biological relationship evidence is needed.
Is immigration DNA testing the same as an at-home paternity test?
No.
Immigration DNA testing uses verified identity, professional collection, documented chain of custody, an AABB-accredited facility, and official result submission.
What relationships can be tested?
Paternity, maternity, full-sibling, and half-sibling testing are common relationship types.
Some passport or citizenship cases may also consider aunt, uncle, or grandparent relationships. The correct test depends on the government process and case instructions.
Can one participant live outside the United States?
Yes.
International cases are common. When official overseas collection is required, the accredited facility coordinates the testing process with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
How much does immigration DNA testing cost?
Pricing varies by relationship type, participant count, collection locations, and case requirements.
UFC Lab provides the current quote after reviewing your referral.
How long does immigration DNA testing take?
Laboratory analysis may be relatively quick after every required sample arrives, but the full case can take longer because of collection scheduling, international coordination, documentation, and government processing.
Will the DNA test results be sent to me?
Official results are sent directly from the accredited facility to the government authority required by the case.
You can contact the laboratory about obtaining a personal copy when permitted by the case process.
Does DNA testing guarantee immigration, visa, passport, or citizenship approval?
No.
DNA testing provides evidence about a biological relationship. The government authority makes the final decision based on the full case.
Ready to Start Your Immigration DNA Case?
If a U.S. authority has recommended DNA testing, begin with the accredited laboratory process rather than ordering a standard home test.
UFC Lab will review your case, provide current pricing and collection instructions, coordinate the required testing process, and submit the official report according to the case requirements.
Important Compliance Notice
Immigration, visa, passport, and citizenship DNA testing must follow the instructions of the government authority handling the case and the procedures of the AABB-accredited Relationship Testing facility.
My Forever DNA® provides educational guidance and access to the UFC Lab referral pathway. Universal Forensics Corporation manages the official laboratory case.
DNA testing does not guarantee approval of a visa, passport, citizenship claim, immigration benefit, or other government decision.
