Ask the Consul
DNA Paternity Testing
Under certain circumstances in the process of accessing
immigration and citizenship benefits, applicants may find it extremely useful to
use DNA paternity testing to demonstrate family relationships. When other
evidence of family relationship is lacking, DNA testing can prove a blood
relationship with near-perfect precision. The tests are painless and quick, but
the process for undergoing them can be confusing and expensive. If you want DNA
paternity testing to be taken into consideration your immigrant visa petition or
application to transmit United States citizenship, be sure to follow these
steps:
1. The first step involves choosing the laboratory. Only
tests performed by laboratories that have been accredited by the American
Association of Blood Banks will be considered valid by the United States
government. Yet all of these laboratories are independent institutions and
charge different fees. The U.S. government does not endorse any particular
laboratory and encourages visa applicants to contact various laboratories as
prices and sample-taking locations vary widely. The consular officer can
provide a list of accredited laboratories and telephone numbers, or you can use
the constantly updated list found on the
AABB website. There is one laboratory located in the Dominican Republic and
many throughout the United States, and most laboratories have branch offices to
take samples, so it is not always necessary to find a laboratory located near
the relative in the United States.
2. Once you have chosen the laboratory, you will need to
have samples taken. This is a painless process where the laboratory technician
rubs a cotton swab against the inside of your cheek. All samples taken in the
Dominican Republic must be taken by the
Panel Physician, the same doctor who handles the medical exams for immigrant
visa applications. If your relative in the United States will have the sample
taken there, contact the laboratory for instructions on where to go for the
procedure. There is no need for all the samples to be taken at the same time or
location.
3. The DNA laboratory will send the results directly to the
U.S. Embassy and we will contact you when we are ready to proceed with your
case. The whole process usually takes between six and twelve weeks. | 
