Immigration DNA Test
In a family-based immigration petition, the applicants are required to submit primary documents such as birth certificate, school records, and other documents that help verify the claimed family relationships. When these initial or secondary documents are missing or have proved inconclusive, the U. S. immigration authorities such as USCIS or U. S. embassies overseas may request the petitioner and the beneficiaries to take a DNA test in order to determine the biological relationship scientifically and conclusively.
Typically, our laboratory performs DNA tests to prove paternity, maternity, siblingship or other kinship for immigration purposes. In our experience, most clients need these DNA tests under the following two circumstances:
The majority of our clients are requested to take a DNA test by USCIS after they file the petition or by the U. S. embassies after their interview because their primary documents do not satisfy the immigration authority to approve the petition. The request may come in a form of Request for Further Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). In this situation, the DNA test is completely voluntary and optional. However, because of the conclusive power of DNA family relationship testing, the testing results are regarded as a piece of critical evidence that the immigration agencies use to make the final decision of approval or denial.
When primary documents to prove family ties are not available, some immigration applicants choose to initiate a DNA test without the official request of the immigration authorities. Knowing there is no valid paperwork, many immigration attorneys may also suggest their clients take this preemptive measure so that they will at least have some type of document to prove their claimed family relationship. Neither USCIS nor the U. S. embassies encourage the applicants to take the DNA test in this situation. They will not be able to schedule specimen collection appointment for overseas tested parties as they do when they request the test. If the clients insist taking this measure,
