Q. Why do DNA immigration testing? 

A. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) testing is today's way of confirming a family relationship - a father, a mother, a child, a grandparent. DNA testing provides you with a record or report of an individuals unique make up your individual genetic blueprint. This blueprint can be used to identify heirs, family members, missing persons. It can be used to free or convict a person who has been accused of a crime. It is recognized globally as the most accurate method of proof of who you are, who you are related to, or who committed a crime.

DNA Connect offers more than just a lab result. We show you how to interpret the results. We also provide counseling that may take the stress out of testing for you and your family and provide you with that critical support in follow up.

Q. What type of testing will DNA Connect perform?  

A. DNA Connect performs DNA kinship analysis, which is genetic testing of biological samples (either blood or buccal swabs) collected from all family members to prove a genetic relationship between a petitioner and his/her beneficiary. DNA Connect does not perform testing for infectious disease.

Q. If I'm in a hurry, can my test be expedited?  

A. If you have a deadline with an Embassy/Consulate or Homeland Security INS, you have the option to pay a $200 non-refundable fee to rush your case. DNA Connect. cannot guarantee to meet specific deadlines; however, rushing the case can significantly reduce testing time.

Q. What does the sample collection kit shipping fee cover?  

A. Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, and Liberia: The sample collection kit-shipping fee only covers the shipping of the kit one-way, from DNA Connect to its destination. Any fees to ship the specimens to DNA Connect,
must be paid by the beneficiary(ies) in that country.
All other countries outside the United States (U.S.) except Ghana: The petitioner must pay the kit shipping fee to send the sample collection kit to the country in which their beneficiary(ies) resides. They also have the option to pay for return shipping of the samples to the U.S. if they want or have been instructed to do so.
Ghana: There is no shipping fee to send the sample collection kit to Ghana.

Q. What do I need to bring for my sample collection appointment?  

A. You must have proper identification (valid-passport, alien card, naturalization certificate, employee authorization card, asylum ID or drivers license) in order to have your sample collected. Also, bring any paperwork that the Embassy/Consulate or Homeland Security INS has sent you, requesting that testing be performed.
Payment must be made in full at the time of sample collection. DNA Connect will accept payments in the form of Visa/Mastercard, money order, or personal check. (Personal checks can only be accepted if presented with a valid driver's license that matches the address on the check.)
Payments made at one of DNA Connect affiliated sample collection centers must be money orders only made payable to DNA Connect Please bring contact information for your beneficiary(ies). For all countries: Please provide date of birth, phone number and any case numbers assigned by Embassy/Consulate or Homeland Security INS such as ACC#, HCM# and EAC# for beneficiary(ies).

Q. Who will test my beneficiary(ies) samples?  

A. After samples have been collected from the beneficiary(ies), the samples will be shipped to DNA Connect in the U.S., where the genetic comparison between beneficiary and petitioner is performed.

Q. Will my beneficiary(ies) be expected to pay any thing? 

A. Your beneficiary(ies) will be required to pay a sample collection fee to the Embassy/Consulate or its' designated representative for collecting their samples. It is your responsibility to contact the Embassy/Consulate or designated representative to find out what the fees are.
Also, the beneficiary(ies) may be required to pay the Embassy/Consulate or its' designated representative any shipping fees to have the samples returned to DNA Connect unless return shipping has already been paid for in the U.S.

Q. How will I know that the sample collection kit has been shipped for my beneficiary(ies)?  

A. DNA Connect can provide you with DHL tracking information, so that you may track the sample collection kit. Once you have confirmed that your sample collection kit has been delivered, contact your beneficiary(ies) and have them make an appointment with the Embassy/Consulate or its' designated representative to have their samples collected.

Q. How can my beneficiary(ies) schedule an appointment for sample collection?  

A. You must instruct your beneficiary(ies) to contact the Embassy/Consulate or its' designated representative to schedule an appointment for sample collection. Ghana is the only country for which DNA Connect can provide appointment information for the beneficiary(ies).

Q. How long does the testing take?  

A. Testing takes approximately 2-3 weeks to be completed from the time we receive samples from all parties. In rare cases, extended testing may be required, which may take an additional 2-4 weeks. When testing is completed, a report will be generated and mailed to the appropriate agency.

Q. Where and how are test results sent?  

A. Upon completion of testing, DNA Connect will send test results by 1st Class Mail to the Embassy/Consulate and appropriate Homeland Security INS office. A copy of the test results can be sent to the petitioner and other addresses indicated by the petitioner upon request.
If you would like to have your results sent by courier, the fees are:
Overnight to U.S. Homeland Security INS Office: $20 (U.S.$)
Courier to Embassy/Consulate: $30-$75 (U.S.$) depending on country

Q. Who can I speak to if I have questions about my testing or the results? 

A. If you would like to discuss the status of your kinship testing, you may contact us at DNA Connect (1.877.DNA.9933) for access to the immigration menu. Please have your kinship receipt/laboratory number available, so that we may quickly retrieve your file.

Q. Is it my responsibility to pursue my individual case? 

A. Yes, it is your responsibility. It is not the responsibility of DNA Connect to make sure your beneficiary(ies) have their samples collected.