Specimen Collection

1. Who Needs to be Tested?
2. What happens after I contact Orchid Cellmark to set up a case?
3. What types of samples are tested?
4. Where can it be collected?
5. How Are Samples Collected Overseas?
6. What do I need to bring to my specimen collection appointment?
7. How Is The Identity of Each Tested Party Assured?

1. Who Needs to be Tested?
The Petitioner and Beneficiary must be tested at a minimum. There may also be instances in a more complex kinship case when Orchid Cellmark will ask for additional individuals to be tested if it will increase the likelihood of a conclusive result.

2. What happens after I contact Orchid Cellmark to set up a case?
Orchid Cellmark will schedule specimen collection appointments for all parties who live in the US immediately upon receipt of our DNA immigration application form. At that time, we will also send a Specimen Collection Kit to the appropriate US Embassy abroad requesting an appointment for all overseas parties.

3. What types of samples are tested?
Orchid Cellmark collects cheek swab samples from all tested parties. These are painless and non-invasive and can be collected within a matter of minutes.

4. Where can it be collected?
If you reside in the US, your sample can be collected at one of our 5000 specimen collection sites. If you reside abroad, the closest US Consulate will contact you to set up your appointment. Please note that each US Consulate has its own procedures and time frames. Some overseas appointments will be scheduled within days and other appointments will be take longer.

5. How Are Samples Collected Overseas?
The overseas specimen collection procedure differs from country to country, depending on the resources at each US Embassy or Consulate. Usually the samples will be collected by a US Panel Physician or an approved clinical laboratory. In most instances, the overseas specimen collection procedure is witnessed by a US Embassy or Consulate official.

6. What do I need to bring to my specimen collection appointment?
If you reside in the US, you will need to bring government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. There is no fee for specimen collection. If you reside abroad, you need to follow the instructions of the US Embassy. They will tell you what types of identification are acceptable and will advise you of the fee for specimen collection.

7. How Is The Identity of Each Tested Party Assured?
Approved government-issued identification is collected from each tested party at the time of specimen collection. In addition, a fingerprint and two photos are collected. Each person is also required to sign a consent form and the back of the photos. Samples are then packaged in a tamper-proof bag for shipment via a secure international courier to Orchid Cellmark’s testing laboratory. Please click here for more information on all our Chain of Custody procedures