DNA Testing

[RCCJ 1]

I am one of the recently evacuated Peace Corps volunteers and am now separated from my husband and two stepchildren in Liberia. My husband's spousal visa is still in progress and I am just starting the paperwork for my two stepchildren. Does anyone know how we go about getting DNA tests done for them in Monrovia? I'd love to do the tests sooner rather than later since I imagine it would delay things at the interview stage, etc. I'm thinking about submitting our I-130 documentation now and then getting the tests done when the lockdown is over in Monrovia. I imagine we could just send USCIS our results to be added as evidence to our case? Please let me know if anyone sees any issues with this. THANK YOU!

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

DNA test is only required if they seriously doubt your relationship, please don't do anything if not required.

[payxibka 10,045]

22 minutes ago, RCCJ said:

I am one of the recently evacuated Peace Corps volunteers and am now separated from my husband and two stepchildren in Liberia. My husband's spousal visa is still in progress and I am just starting the paperwork for my two stepchildren. Does anyone know how we go about getting DNA tests done for them in Monrovia? I'd love to do the tests sooner rather than later since I imagine it would delay things at the interview stage, etc. I'm thinking about submitting our I-130 documentation now and then getting the tests done when the lockdown is over in Monrovia. I imagine we could just send USCIS our results to be added as evidence to our case? Please let me know if anyone sees any issues with this. THANK YOU!

Any DNA testing for immigration purposes needs to he done at the direction of the consulate 

[RCCJ 1]

Ok, it's just that it asks for it when you apply online for the I-130 (but it optional) so I was thinking of just sending results a little later when everything opens up again. I imagine that Liberia does a lot of DNA testing because it is known for having a high rate of fraud. I've also read that you need extra evidence of relationship if you're basing it off the child's relationship with their father which is what's happening in our situation. But it's all confusing so I'm not sure.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Thread is moved from the K-3 Process forum to the CR-1 Process forum.

[pushbrk 12,883]

41 minutes ago, RCCJ said:

Ok, it's just that it asks for it when you apply online for the I-130 (but it optional) so I was thinking of just sending results a little later when everything opens up again. I imagine that Liberia does a lot of DNA testing because it is known for having a high rate of fraud. I've also read that you need extra evidence of relationship if you're basing it off the child's relationship with their father which is what's happening in our situation. But it's all confusing so I'm not sure.

There is no requirement to submit DNA tests when filing the I-130.  If you are the US Citizen, and these are your step children, you submit their birth certificates to document their blood relationship to your husband.  If there is a doubt later, the Consulate might request DNA tests.

 

What exactly, are you reading that makes you think you need DNA tests to submit an I-130 for a stepchild?

[RCCJ 1]

It's not required but it was an option under additional evidence when I was filling out the I-130 online. I read somewhere that you will need additional evidence of relationship if the parents of the child were never married and it's the father who is taking the child to the US. Maybe I assumed that meant DNA but maybe it's just other evidence. I feel like I've seen other people post about DNA in Liberia so I assumed it was common. 

 

I'll just wait to see if they ask for it then.

Thank you!

[Boiler 45,510]

Is the mother OK with the move?

[RCCJ 1]

Yes! She is ok with the move

[FamousJerry 47]

If they as for a DNA test it has to be done through a USA certified lab. If you dont use one of them they will not accept it and it will not be valid. we had to get one for our daughter because the nice lady at the consulate in chiang mai said our daughter looked to "chinky" to be mine. And mind you she was 4 weeks old when she saw her and she was sleeping. And yes it took everything i had not to lose my when she said that.

[RCCJ 1]

Wow FamousJerry I am so sorry you had to go through that!

 

Thank you for the information!

[pushbrk 12,883]

3 hours ago, FamousJerry said:

If they as for a DNA test it has to be done through a USA certified lab. If you dont use one of them they will not accept it and it will not be valid. we had to get one for our daughter because the nice lady at the consulate in chiang mai said our daughter looked to "chinky" to be mine. And mind you she was 4 weeks old when she saw her and she was sleeping. And yes it took everything i had not to lose my when she said that.

Not good, but note this would have been for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, for the natural child of a US Citizen.  Very different situation than a visa for step child.  DNA tests are actually pretty common in CRBA cases, depending on the circumstances.  Usually those circumstances don't have anything to do with how the child "looks" though.