1. The Embassy in my family member’s country or The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has suggested that I get a DNA test to prove the relationship with my family member. They live in another country. How can I get them tested, what is the process?

• You will make an appointment to come to our office.
•  You will be required to bring identification that includes: your U.S. Passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Green Card and a photo Driver’s License or photo work I.D.
•  We will fill out a document called a Chain- of-Custody, verify your identification, take your picture and take your DNA sample. Your DNA sample will be kept in the laboratory with the Chain-of-Custody document.
•  We will send a DNA Testing Kit to either:  the U.S. Embassy, Consulate or an Embassy Panel physician in the country where your family member lives. Your family member will have a DNA sample taken which will be forwarded to Clinical Testing and Research, Inc. for testing.
•  When the analysis is completed, we will forward the original report with the FULL Chain-of-Custody to the U.S. Embassy or to The Department of Homeland Security. You will receive a copy of the report via U.S. Mail.

2. I don’t live in New Jersey, why do I have to come to your office?

• In the previous question, a document called a Chain-of-Custody was mentioned. This document contains information regarding the date, time and person who has taken and handled your DNA sample. It will also include your photograph and copies of your identification.
• It is a requirement that a FULL and COMPLETE Chain-of-Custody be included with your final report. We want to see you in our office, where we will verify your identity; we are the people who will write your report.   There can be no question regarding the validity of your Chain-of-Custody.
• Travel to our office by bus, car or train is convenient and can be found here on the directions page.
• We are really not that far away. 

3. How long will this whole process take?

• When you visit our office, you should expect to be with us for about 30-45  minutes.
• We will then prepare the DNA Testing Kit and necessary documents for your family member and we will send them by FedEx or DHL to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Panel Physician abroad.
•  The amount of time it takes to get a DNA sample abroad varies. Each Embassy has different methods and requirements for setting up the appointment for a DNA sample. The wait can be 2 weeks to 2 months or more. If the kit is sent to the Embassy Panel Physician, your relative will call them directly to make the appointment. The wait depends on the Doctor’s schedule.
• When we receive the DNA Sample from your family member and provided your testing fees are paid in full, we will start the DNA Testing process. We will issue the report as soon as it is completed. 

 4. I am sponsoring my brother/sister in another country. Will DNA testing prove that we are siblings?

• There are several ways that using DNA testing can help to prove your relationship. 
• If you and your sibling share the same mother and father, and one or both of your parents are alive, it is best to test you, your sibling and one parent. The testing would show that you share a common parent and are siblings.
• There is a method of calculating your sibling relationship. Your DNA test results are compared and genetic frequency calculations are made to determine your relationship. This method is not always conclusive and we may have to try to reconstruct your parents using the DNA results from additional brothers or sisters.

5. I am sponsoring my half sister/ half brother, husband or wife. Will DNA testing help?

• Yes, DNA testing can help. These types of cases are quite complex and we request that you call our office. A trained geneticist will discuss the case with you.  

6.  I don’t understand my results. It says that I can not be excluded as the father / mother of my child and the probability is  99.99%. What does this mean?

• When the report states that you can not be excluded the father or mother, it means that you are the parent!

7. I don’t understand my results. It says that I am excluded as the father / mother of my child. What does this mean?

• When the report states that you are excluded as the father / mother, it means that your DNA did not match and you are not the parent. 

8. How accurate are my results?

• The DNA samples are handled under the strictest controls. Each sample is assigned a laboratory number and is tracked throughout the process. 
• An exclusion ( negative parentage report ) is processed twice to confirm the results.
• The State Department and The Department of Homeland Security / USCIS / INS  guidelines have a minimum parentage index of 99.50 % or better to be considered indicative of parentage.