Relationship testing
The program focuses on tests used to evaluate biological relationships, such as parent-child, sibling, grandparent, or other family relationships.
AABB relationship testing guidance
Learn what AABB-related accreditation means and why it matters in formal DNA cases.
AABB accreditation applies specifically to relationship testing laboratories. It can be important when DNA evidence is requested for immigration, legal parentage, child support, custody, inheritance, citizenship, or another identity-sensitive matter.
This guide explains the difference between an informal at-home DNA test and a documented legal testing process, including laboratory selection, identity verification, professional sample collection, chain of custody, and local appointment planning.
Understand when formal collection may be needed
Compare legal and at-home DNA workflows
Get location-specific next-step guidance
Collection, documentation, and laboratory requirements depend on the case type and the authority requesting the test.
Scope explained clearly
AABB relationship-testing accreditation is not presented as covering every DNA product.
No blanket acceptance promises
Courts, agencies, and jurisdictions may apply their own procedural requirements.
Local collection guidance
Start with your state or city while recognizing that appointment availability can vary.
What does AABB accreditation mean for DNA testing?
AABB accredits facilities that perform relationship testing under defined quality and technical standards. The accreditation can be important for formal family-relationship cases, but it does not replace identity checks, documented sample handling, chain of custody, agency instructions, or local court requirements.
Understanding the accreditation
What AABB accreditation actually covers
The most important distinction is scope. AABB relationship-testing accreditation applies to laboratories performing biological relationship testing. It should not be used as a general claim about every health, wellness, ancestry, or pet DNA test.
Laboratory quality systems
Accredited facilities are assessed against standards covering testing procedures, quality management, reporting, records, and other relationship-testing activities.
Formal-case suitability
Accreditation can support the required laboratory pathway, but the complete case must still follow the procedures set by the requesting court, agency, attorney, or government department.
Verify the laboratory before beginning a formal case.
Accreditation lists can change. Confirm the facility in the current AABB-accredited relationship testing facility directory and ask for written confirmation of the laboratory handling your case.
Formal testing requirements
Why the laboratory is only one part of the process
A valid formal workflow depends on more than the laboratory name. The collection process must connect each sample to the correct participant and preserve a documented path from collection to testing.
- 1 Participant identification Government-issued identification, photographs, signatures, or other records may be required to document who provided each sample.
- 2 Neutral sample collection A qualified or authorized collector may need to collect the cheek-swab samples instead of allowing participants to collect their own.
- 3 Sealed sample handling The collector normally completes the documentation, seals the samples, and sends them through the approved route.
- 4 Controlled reporting Results may need to be sent directly to a court, attorney, agency, embassy, consulate, or other authorized recipient.
Common case types
When an AABB-accredited relationship test may be relevant
The correct route depends on why the test is being requested. Confirm the test purpose before purchasing a kit or collecting any samples.
Immigration and citizenship
A government agency may suggest DNA evidence when other documents do not sufficiently establish a claimed biological relationship.
- Family-based visa matters
- Passport or citizenship cases
- International family relationships
Legal family matters
Courts, attorneys, or government departments may require a documented relationship test for a family-law or estate-related matter.
- Parentage and child support
- Custody or visitation matters
- Inheritance and estate questions
Personal knowledge
An at-home relationship test may be appropriate when the result is only for private information and no court or government use is expected.
- Private family questions
- Self-collected cheek swabs
- No formal identity verification
Special notice for U.S. immigration, visa, passport, and citizenship cases
Wait for the requesting government authority to recommend DNA testing and follow its written instructions. The U.S. Department of State instructs applicants to use an AABB-accredited laboratory and to work directly through the required laboratory process rather than independently purchasing an informal kit. Review the official DNA relationship testing procedures before beginning.
Choose the correct workflow
At-home DNA testing compared with legal DNA testing
Both workflows may analyze cheek-swab samples, but the documentation and sample-control requirements are different.
| Comparison point | At-home relationship test | Legal or official relationship test |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Private knowledge and personal decision-making. | Potential submission to a court, agency, attorney, embassy, consulate, or other authorized body. |
| Sample collection | Participants generally collect their own cheek-swab samples. | Samples are generally collected by a neutral, qualified, or authorized collector. |
| Identity verification | Formal identity documentation is usually not part of the process. | Identification, photographs, signatures, and case documents may be recorded. |
| Chain of custody | No formal third-party chain of custody. | The sample route is documented from collection through laboratory receipt and reporting. |
| Laboratory requirement | Depends on the product and intended personal use. | An AABB-accredited relationship testing laboratory may be required by the requesting authority. |
| Result acceptance | Not designed for formal legal or government submission. | Acceptance depends on the complete process and the rules of the requesting authority or jurisdiction. |
| Best first step | Confirm that the result is only for personal knowledge. | Obtain written requirements before paying for testing or collecting samples. |
Typical case workflow
How formal relationship testing usually works
The exact order can vary, especially for international and government-requested cases. These steps provide a practical planning overview.
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Confirm the intended use
Identify the court, agency, attorney, or other organization that will receive or review the result.
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Get the written requirements
Determine the required relationship, participants, documents, laboratory standard, and reporting route.
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Arrange collection
Schedule an appropriate collection appointment near each participant when self-collection is not permitted.
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Complete documentation
The collector verifies identity, obtains the samples, completes the records, and seals the package.
-
Receive or submit results
The laboratory reports through the authorized channel required for that particular case.
Local planning
Finding DNA sample collection near you
The accredited laboratory handling the analysis may be headquartered in another city or state while an approved sample collection appointment is arranged closer to each participant.
Availability can differ by ZIP code, participant age, relationship type, international shipping requirements, and case deadline.
A location page is a starting point, not confirmation that a particular collector, laboratory, or appointment is currently available.
New York
Explore testing and collection guidance for New York residents.
Florida
Review DNA testing considerations for communities across Florida.
Texas
Start planning a relationship-testing workflow within Texas.
Ohio
Find practical DNA testing guidance for Ohio-based participants.
Oregon
Learn how location and case type can affect collection planning.
DNA testing near me
See what to check when searching by city, state, or ZIP code.
Prepare before contacting support
Information that helps identify the correct next step
Sharing the right details at the beginning reduces delays and helps prevent an informal product from being selected for a formal matter.
Details to have ready
- The exact reason the DNA test is being requested
- The biological relationship that needs to be evaluated
- The city, state, or country of each participant
- Any written court, agency, attorney, embassy, or consulate instructions
- The case number, deadline, and required recipient when applicable
What uDNA guidance can clarify
- The difference between personal and formal relationship testing
- Whether professional collection may be part of the required workflow
- Which questions to ask before selecting a test or laboratory route
- How sample locations and international participants can affect planning
- What result security, reporting, and timing topics to confirm
Accuracy-first guidance
uDNA can provide general testing guidance but cannot decide whether evidence will be accepted, provide legal advice, override official instructions, or guarantee the outcome of a court, immigration, citizenship, or administrative case. Review the legal disclaimer when planning a formal test.
Related guidance
Review these topics before ordering
These resources explain sample collection, privacy, result timing, accuracy, and common testing questions.
AABB DNA testing FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Start with these practical answers, then confirm the specific requirements of the organization requesting your test.
Does every DNA test need to use an AABB-accredited laboratory?
No. AABB accreditation is specifically associated with relationship testing and is commonly relevant to formal legal or immigration workflows. Health, wellness, ancestry, and pet DNA tests follow different laboratory and quality requirements.
Is an AABB-accredited test automatically accepted in court?
Not automatically. Laboratory accreditation may be one requirement, but acceptance can also depend on jurisdiction, court orders, participant identification, collector qualifications, chain-of-custody records, test type, and reporting procedures.
Can I use an at-home DNA kit for a legal case?
A self-collected at-home kit is generally intended for personal knowledge. Formal cases commonly require a neutral collector, identity documentation, sealed sample handling, and a documented chain of custody from collection to the laboratory.
Can an at-home result be converted into a legal result later?
Usually, a new collection is needed because the original self-collected samples did not follow the required identity-verification and chain-of-custody process. Confirm the intended use before collecting samples to avoid paying twice.
How do I find an AABB-accredited DNA laboratory near me?
Begin with the current AABB directory and confirm the laboratory directly. The laboratory may arrange a collection appointment near you even when its headquarters is located in another city or state.
What should I do first for an immigration DNA case?
Wait until the appropriate government authority recommends DNA testing, carefully follow its written instructions, and use the required AABB-accredited laboratory process. Do not begin with an informal at-home kit.
How long does a formal relationship test take?
Timing varies according to participant locations, appointment availability, document requirements, international shipping, laboratory processing, and the agency reporting route. Request a case-specific estimate before beginning.
Choose the correct path first
Need help deciding whether your case requires formal DNA collection?
Tell uDNA why the test is needed, where each participant is located, and whether a court, attorney, agency, embassy, consulate, or other organization provided instructions. The goal is to identify the appropriate next step before samples are collected.
Do not purchase an at-home product for a formal case until the required collection and laboratory process has been confirmed.
