If you’re looking to get your immigration paperwork through a little faster and you need to prove a biological relationship, consider making use of DNA testing. The USCIS (The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) recommends DNA testing to prove biological relationships and obtain the necessary documentation.
This article shall provide a brief overview of 5 basic steps necessary to get DNA testing for immigration purposes. Do keep in mind, however, that professional and official governmental advice is needed for this very important legal document.

Recommended Read:  DNA Testing : Introduction & Uses

The 5 basic steps are

• Visit official government websites and/or offices.
• Gather up the necessary related documentation requested.
• Fill out the DNA testing forms as directed.
• Show up for the test appointment and/or have the other party show up for the test.
• Wait for the results, then submit them to immigration officials.
• Read on for a detailed explanation of each of the aforementioned five steps.

Visit Official Web Sites

A DNA immigration test is a paternity, maternity or kinship test conducted at the request of the US Embassy or the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services official governmental website is https://www.uscis.gov/. From there, look for the Citizenship Resources tab, and go to that section of the website. You’ll find resources to help you understand the steps to citizenship. The information is available in many languages. If you don’t find information in your preferred and/or native language, or if you have trouble reading and writing, there are organizations that offer help with preparing documentation.

Gather Up Related Documentation

Many community organizations and social service providers offer citizenship classes and assistance with gathering the related documents for the naturalization process. These programs are often designed to provide additional support and referral services that help you and your family with other needs as you wait for your citizenship paperwork to be approved and you move forward with the process. If you can afford it, you can use the services of a licensed immigration attorney. These professionals understand the process and have experience working through the official system for immigration. They already know how DNA testing can help speed the process, and can likely walk you through having the testing appointments. They also can provide a resource for follow-up once the results have been obtained. Again, visit official government websites, and look for suggestions on finding local help there first. On the USCIS.gov site, review the ¨Legal Assistance¨ section so you can make the right decision about what kind of legal help you need.

Fill Out the DNA Testing Forms

The DNA test alone is not going to be all the documentation you need but can be an important part of all the documentation you must submit for immigration purposes. You will begin by selecting a laboratory where the DNA sample will be collected. It is very important that the laboratory you select and visit be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). AABB is considered a leader in standards development, accreditation, and implementation of quality systems in cellular therapies, including standards for DNA testing.
For immigration purposes, AABB has an unwavering focus on donor and patient safety, to ensure that the testing is done in a professional manner, and in a clean environment, to minimize the risk of error through lack of quality control. In other words, this organization, by providing a list of recognized providers, is interested in making sure that you get a test done correctly and professionally for best results. It should be noted if the testing facility you are considering for your test is not on the AABB approved facility list, then you not only run the risk of an inaccurate test, you also run the risk of your test not being accepted by the immigration office at all. To find the laboratory in the United States nearest you, visit their list of Accredited Facilities at aabb.org.

Keep the DNA Test Appointment

After you have located a facility it is your responsibility to both set an appointment and pays the required fees. Qualified companies (AABB approved) can make the DNA testing portion of the immigration process simple for clients. Some of these companies even have designated staff members just for working with immigration agencies, embassies, petitioners, and beneficiaries. Their experienced handling will make the process easier, as they are well aware of what official governmental agencies are going to expect, and are prepared to meet those procedure standards. The basic flow of the process includes scheduling of the petitioner appointment and collecting petitioner’s DNA sample. The company ships a DNA collection kit to the U.S. Embassy / USCIS office in the identified home country. Obviously, this process can take some time. The U.S. Embassy / USCIS office collects the beneficiary’s DNA sample. Then, the samples are shipped back, and the DNA testing results are sent directly to the requesting Immigration office.

Next, the facility you are using will send the legally defensible test results to the proper immigration authorities and the U.S. petitioner. There can be a lot of differences between facilities that offer DNA testing, so take the time to compare what each company offers. Cost for the test is only one consideration and prices will vary from location to location and from state to state in the U.S. Other important considerations are client confidentiality and test accuracy. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask them. Some facilities will test each sample twice for accuracy. Quality facilities and professional organizations should be happy to answer any questions you have about your test. The actual test itself is very easy. You don’t have to fast before the test and you don’t have to eat or drink anything during the test. There are two methods of collecting DNA samples for DNA testing – blood samples, and buccal (cheek) swabs . However, when analyzing DNA for relationship testing, the same test method is used for DNA samples acquired through cheek swabs and from blood samples.

Wait for Immigration Officials to Respond

This is going to be the hardest part. Having completed your DNA test, and having the other party conduct his/her test, and having all the test results sent to immigration officials, the wait begins. If you are the immediate relative of a US citizen, the wait just might be a little shorter. You may be able to secure a green card faster once your DNA testing is complete. If you are the spouse of a US citizen, a minor (under the age of 21) child of a US citizen, or the parent of a US citizen (who is over 21 years of age) you are considered an immediate relative.
Generally, if you fit into one of these categories, you can immigrate once the paperwork is completed. It will still require a waiting period, however, to get the paperwork completed. For example, the visa petition can take up to 8 months to be reviewed by the USCIS and being sent the paperwork can take another one to three months. Scheduling an interview can take two to four months. If the applicant is already in the US, the whole process can take up to one year, and this timeline may be longer for people applying from outside the US.
Now that your DNA testing is complete, be patient. Once you are approved, you will be notified and can move forward, the wait will be worth all the effort and challenges you went through to arrive.