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Information on DNA Testing

To transfer U.S. citizenship to a child born in a foreign country, at least one parent must show a genetic or gestational relationship with the child.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing is the only method we accept to prove a genetic relationship if there is not enough evidence to show the relationship.  

Relationships to establish paternity or maternity using DNA testing include:

  • Father-child
  • Mother-child
  • Child and full brother or sister
  • Child and half brother or sister
  • Child and an aunt, uncle, or grandparent 

DNA testing is:

  • Voluntary
  • Offered for a fee
  • Not a guarantee that we will issue a U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), or immigrant visa
  • The most accurate and widely available way to prove a genetic relationship

When the father or mother is tested, we will only accept results reporting a 99.5 percent or greater degree of certainty of paternity or maternity. When a distant relative of the child is tested because the father or mother cannot be tested, we may ask for more tests or evidence. 

ALL / ALL /

Reminders for DNA Testing

 
Get DNA testing only after we recommend you get it. Follow the instructions we provide you and: 
  1. Use an American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) accredited lab. 
  2. Contact the lab to begin the testing process.
  3. Do not use a third party to choose the lab or make other arrangements.  
  4. Follow the instructions the lab provides for where to go for DNA sample collection. Most labs have facilities across the United States.
  • You cannot directly receive DNA test kits.
  • The AABB-accredited lab will tell you where to go. At the appointment, you will provide a swab and identification.
  • The AABB collection site or clinic must submit the DNA sample and copies of proof of identification to the lab for testing.
  • You must ask the lab to forward test results to the U.S. embassy or consulate, or passport agency or center.
  • We will only collect DNA tests for pending U.S. passport, CRBA, or immigrant visa cases.
  • For samples to be collected overseas outside an AABB-accredited lab, the lab must send the DNA test kit to the U.S. embassy or consulate. You cannot receive DNA test kits.  
  • Once the U.S. embassy or consulate receives a DNA kit from a lab, it will schedule an appointment for DNA sample collection. At the appointment with a physician or someone the physician designates, the applicant will submit a swab and identification.
  • The U.S. embassy or consulate will submit the test kit with the DNA sample and copies of proof of identification to the lab. We will not release the test kit to the applicant or family members.
  • The AABB-accredited lab must send the test results to the U.S. embassy or consulate, or domestic passport agency or center.
  • We will only accept test results the lab sends directly to us.
  • After receiving the test results, we will contact the applicant or the applicant's parents. We will continue processing the application.
  • An applicant or petitioner should contact the lab to receive copies of DNA test results.
Last Updated: October 28, 2024