DNA Testing Procedures

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION BELOW IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.  RUSSIAN LAW DOES NOT PERMIT DNA SAMPLES TO CROSS ITS BORDERS, AND THE EMBASSY CANNOT ASSIST WITH DNA TESTING OR ANSWER QUESTIONS.

DNA testing analyzes the genetic material present in human cells and has been found to be over 99 percent accurate in verifying family relationships such as: parent/child, brother/sister, etc. The testing is entirely voluntary and all costs and expenses associated with it must be borne entirely by the passport applicant and/or his or her family. The results are typically available within a month (this varies by lab).

Choose an Accredited Lab

You may use any DNA laboratory that is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and that conducts buccal swab testing.

Testing can be conducted in the United States or at a laboratory overseas. The laboratory conducting the tests should send the test results and an interpretation of the data to a U.S. Embassy directly. All expenses must be borne by you, including shipping costs, and must be paid in advance.

If you choose to have DNA test conducted in the United States, the drawing of the blood samples and the conduct of the tests must be in accordance with the joint AMA-ABA Guidelines and the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). The laboratory must be one on the Department of State’s list of accredited laboratories or otherwise present copies of its credentials to the Department for consideration. The list of laboratories in the United States accredited by the AABB is posted on its web site www.aabb.org.

If you decide to submit to DNA testing to be conducted by a foreign facility or a facility not on the enclosed list of laboratories, the laboratory must submit its credentials and testing criteria to a U.S. Embassy to ensure that it is comparable to the professional standards of the AABB and the joint AMA/ABA guidelines. Procedures for drawing and shipping the swab samples would be as described above, following specific instructions of the testing laboratory, under the auspices of a physician/technician selected by a U.S. Embassy.

Please ensure that the DNA laboratory you choose:

• Is willing to process the testing for the relationship under question (not all tests are for paternity);
• Is willing to handle international shipments including providing the necessary customs clearance forms; and
• Will forward the buccal swab test kit to an Embassy with a pre-paid return envelope.

Please DO NOT use a third party to select your U.S.-based lab, arrange appointments, or transport specimens, and at no time should the lab sent you a testing kit.

Fees

All fees, including return shipping charges, must be paid by the applicant BEFORE the lab sends the kit to the Embassy.