Immigrant Visas

U.S Embassy, New Delhi
Genetic (DNA) Testing Procedures for Visa and Passport Applicants

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

If you decide to proceed with a DNA test, the petitioner (for immigrant visa applications) or family member (for passport applications) should arrange for testing with any one of the DNA laboratories accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) that meet the following criteria:

1. Can process buccal swabs; 
2. Is willing to process the testing for the type of family relationship under question (not all tests are for paternity);
3. Is willing to handle international shipments, including providing the necessary customs clearance forms; and 
4. Will forward the buccal swab test kit to the Embassy in New Delhi with a pre-paid return envelope.

Any Internet search engine can be used to find contact information for AABB accredited laboratories through the following website:  
http://www.aabb.org/Content/Accreditation/Parentage_Testing_Accreditation_Program/
AABB_Accredited_Parentage_Testing_Laboratories/aboutptlabs.htm

The laboratory you choose must send the testing kit to the Embassy at the address below, and must include the name and location of the office that requested the testing:

Fraud Prevention Unit               Telephone:  91-11-24198000 ext-4148/
Consular Section                        91-11-24198028/ 24198065
U.S. Embassy                          Fax:          91-11-2419-8587
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi, 110021, India

When the Embassy receives the testing kit, we will contact the test participants by letter or telephone and schedule an appointment date for the DNA test.  Appointments cannot be scheduled before a testing kit is received by the Embassy. A physician selected by the Embassy will collect a sample from the test participant(s) in the presence of a consular official.

The applicants should reach the clinic at the appointment time, and must bring the following items: 

For immigration visa applicants:

1. Valid Indian passport of the applicant and one photocopy of the biographic information in the passport;
2. One passport size photograph; and,
3. Rs. 1,200 in cash for each sample to be taken.

For passport applicants:

1. Original of the child's birth certificate and a photocopy of the certificate;
2. Valid passport of the U.S. citizen parent and one photocopy of the biographic information page in the passport, or a copy of a U.S. citizen parent's valid passport with a U.S. notarization;
3. One passport size photograph of the child and one of the U.S. citizen parent, and
4. Rs. 1,200 in cash for each sample to be taken.

Please note that only a valid passport will be accepted as photo identification, and that all fees, including shipping charges, must be paid before the laboratory will send the testing kit to the Embassy.