To transmit U.S. citizenship at birth to a child born abroad, the U.S. citizen parent or parents must establish a biological relationship with the child. Genetic testing helps verify a biological – but not gestational – relationship in the absence of sufficient evidence to establish such a relationship. Relationships that may be used to establish paternity or maternity in citizenship claims arising from birth abroad to a U.S. citizen father or mother include: father-child, mother-child, child and full brother or sister, child and half brother or sister, and relationships between a child and a paternal aunt, uncle, or grandparent.

DNA testing is the only biological testing method we accept to establish a biological relationship. Due to high costs, complexity, and logistical delays, genetic testing is generally used only in the absence of sufficient evidence (documentation, photos, etc.) establishing the biological relationship.

When we need additional evidence of a biological relationship, we may suggest that applicants for a U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), or immigrant visa do DNA testing to establish the relationship(s). DNA testing is voluntary and the applicant must pay all costs for testing and related expenses to the testing facility or laboratory in advance. In addition, DNA sample collection and testing does not guarantee issuance of a U.S. passport, CRBA, or immigrant visa.

What Type of DNA Sample Method is Used?

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing is the most accurate and widely available technology to test a biological relationship. The preferred specimen collection technique for DNA testing is by buccal (cheek or mouth cavity) swab. When buccal swabs are taken, cells are collected from the inside cheek or mouth using a long cotton swab. While there are different types of DNA tests, buccal cheek swabs are used rather than blood samples because they are easier to collect, non-invasive, painless, and easier to ship.

Accuracy of DNA Testing

DNA paternity and maternity (father-child/mother-child) testing reliability has advanced to the industry-accepted standard of 99.99 percent. The accuracy of a DNA test conducted with a cheek swab is equivalent to a test conducted using a blood test. Consular officers may only accept test results reporting a 99.99percent or greater degree of certainty with respect to paternity/maternity as sufficient to support a biological relationship between a parent and child in passport and CRBA cases. When testing more distant relatives, a lower degree of probability of relationship to a U.S. citizen parent may be achieved, but it must also meet the requisite evidentiary standard in order to establish the claimed relationship to a U.S. citizen parent.