DNA test....

[ronh 27]

My son got a letter from US embassy Manila today and they requested a DNA test. My son is 20 years old. I'm here in the US. How do we do the DNA test. There's  no instruction given on the letter. I'm so worried. Please share some ideas.

[HRQX 4,145]

32 minutes ago, ronh said:

There's  no instruction given on the letter. I'm so worried. Please share some ideas.

Ask them if they have specific instructions. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/US-Citizenship-DNA-Testing.html

DNA Testing Process

 

• You should only begin DNA testing after a recommendation from a U.S. embassy or consulate, or a domestic passport agency or center.
• Applicants and petitioners should follow the instructions provided by the U.S. embassy and consulate or domestic passport agency or center, and an AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) accredited lab.
• The applicant or petitioner must directly contact an AABB-accredited lab to begin the testing process.
• Do not use a third party to choose the lab or to make other arrangements.  
• To find an accredited laboratory, visit the AABB’s list of Accredited Facilities. The list of laboratories is based on the physical location of the lab’s headquarters.
• Applicants and petitioners should be able to choose from the full list of AABB laboratories that conduct DNA testing.
• Each lab will provide instructions for where to go for DNA sample collection.
• Most labs have collection partners and facilities throughout the United States. 

[top_secret 2,421]

Here's the Philippines specific instructions from the US Embassy Manila https://ph.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/DNA-Information-Sheet-Final-March-2018.pdf

[AKteacher 104]

Your son will have to go to USEM to be tested. Although the test is "voluntary" (they can't force him to take it), if he doesn't then he'll likely get a denial. You can choose a laboratory from the accredited list. The sample must be taken at USEM with their representatives watching. My son had this done, it was a simple cheek swab. This is to prevent fraud, especially since Philippines is considered a high-fraud country when it comes to documents and such...

[flicks1998 1,044]

I had to do the DNA test as part of my sons CRBA.  When it was done I was living in Manila with my sons mother and my son.  However, I ordered from a place in Missouri and they mailed and shipped everything.  Lab payments were done at SLEC and the test was done at USEM.  Results came in about a week.  The company I used was great.  It wasnt cheap, I think it cost around $750-$800 but I dont remember exactly.  My other option was to fly to the province and get photos out of storage (ultrasound, etc) but that was too much of a hassle.  The company I used I was great and I highly recommend them.  If you need the name I can post it.

 

We did a three way test (son, mother, me) and if you are all living apart, the DNA company can help coordinate everything.  The fee is a little bit higher but quite easy to do.  I think you go to a designated place near your hometown, she and the son can go to USEM. 

 

Dont sweat it.  Its quite easy, straightforward, and efficient. 

Edited January 13, 2021 by flicks1998

[ronh 27]

2 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

I had to do the DNA test as part of my sons CRBA.  When it was done I was living in Manila with my sons mother and my son.  However, I ordered from a place in Missouri and they mailed and shipped everything.  Lab payments were done at SLEC and the test was done at USEM.  Results came in about a week.  The company I used was great.  It wasnt cheap, I think it cost around $750-$800 but I dont remember exactly.  My other option was to fly to the province and get photos out of storage (ultrasound, etc) but that was too much of a hassle.  The company I used I was great and I highly recommend them.  If you need the name I can post it.

 

We did a three way test (son, mother, me) and if you are all living apart, the DNA company can help coordinate everything.  The fee is a little bit higher but quite easy to do.  I think you go to a designated place near your hometown, she and the son can go to USEM. 

 

Dont sweat it.  Its quite easy, straightforward, and efficient. 

I'm here in the US. Please give me the name of the company. Thank you very much. 

[ronh 27]

3 hours ago, ronh said:

I'm here in the US. Please give me the name of the company. Thank you very much. 

Do I pay it here or at St. Luke's for the DNA test kit?

[flicks1998 1,044]

3 hours ago, ronh said:

I'm here in the US. Please give me the name of the company. Thank you very much. 

https://www.ptclabs.com/

 

Double check though that they are still on the list of approved DNA testing centers by the Embassy otherwise youll waste your time and money.  If they are still on the list then I had excellent experience with them.  In fact, there were a few times I sent emails and I had replies within 5 minutes.  I also had a phone call with them on which type of test I needed to do and they were very helpful. 

[flicks1998 1,044]

9 minutes ago, ronh said:

Do I pay it here or at St. Luke's for the DNA test kit?

Youll pay the DNA company.  They will handle everything for you.  The only thing you will pay at St Lukes Extension Center is the Lab fee which is the fee for them to go to the embassy and do the test.  I cant remember what that cost.  Somewhere between 1-2K pesos I believe. 

[ronh 27]

1 hour ago, flicks1998 said:

https://www.ptclabs.com/

 

Double check though that they are still on the list of approved DNA testing centers by the Embassy otherwise youll waste your time and money.  If they are still on the list then I had excellent experience with them.  In fact, there were a few times I sent emails and I had replies within 5 minutes.  I also had a phone call with them on which type of test I needed to do and they were very helpful. 

Oh by the way, I'm from NC. PTC laboratories is MO. So it's okay to use this? 

1 hour ago, flicks1998 said:

Youll pay the DNA company.  They will handle everything for you.  The only thing you will pay at St Lukes Extension Center is the Lab fee which is the fee for them to go to the embassy and do the test.  I cant remember what that cost.  Somewhere between 1-2K pesos I believe. 

Thank you so much for all the info. I really appreciated, 

[flicks1998 1,044]

5 hours ago, ronh said:

Oh by the way, I'm from NC. PTC laboratories is MO. So it's okay to use this? 

Thank you so much for all the info. I really appreciated, 

It doesnt matter the state.  I was a resident of the Philippines and not of any US state at the time I used their services.  Just make sure that company is still in the list of "approved" places to use by the Embassy.  If its in the list, then no issues.

[ronh 27]

On 1/13/2021 at 2:36 AM, flicks1998 said:

I had to do the DNA test as part of my sons CRBA.  When it was done I was living in Manila with my sons mother and my son.  However, I ordered from a place in Missouri and they mailed and shipped everything.  Lab payments were done at SLEC and the test was done at USEM.  Results came in about a week.  The company I used was great.  It wasnt cheap, I think it cost around $750-$800 but I dont remember exactly.  My other option was to fly to the province and get photos out of storage (ultrasound, etc) but that was too much of a hassle.  The company I used I was great and I highly recommend them.  If you need the name I can post it.

 

We did a three way test (son, mother, me) and if you are all living apart, the DNA company can help coordinate everything.  The fee is a little bit higher but quite easy to do.  I think you go to a designated place near your hometown, she and the son can go to USEM. 

 

Dont sweat it.  Its quite easy, straightforward, and efficient. 

Hi, ptc lab is awesome. The embassy received the DNA test kit for my son on 1/19/21 but the embassy has not contacted my son yet. Do I have to contact the embassy and schedule the DNA testing?  Thank you 

[flicks1998 1,044]

3 hours ago, ronh said:

Hi, ptc lab is awesome. The embassy received the DNA test kit for my son on 1/19/21 but the embassy has not contacted my son yet. Do I have to contact the embassy and schedule the DNA testing?  Thank you 

Unfortunately I cant remember all of the details from when we did the DNA test with the embassy, and it will be much different as of today due to COVID.  This is done on the American Citizen services side and they are only working on an appointment basis and very limited staff as well.  I would write to ACS at USEM and if no answer, contact the DNA company again as they may know or have a general idea.  COVID has changed the normal processes.

 

I believe the embassy contacted me for the DNA swab and this DNA testing was only done on Tuesdays and Thursdays at USEM.  On the day this was done, we first went to the embassy to complete some paperwork, then over to SLEC to pay for the swab fee (less than 2,000p) then in the afternoon we were back to the Embassy for the swab test.  It was all painless, but it made for a long day.  I was living in Manila when this was done so we all just did the testing in a room in the Embassy.  For you, they may direct you a place closest to you for the swab.  

 

Expect the embassy to be slow though as they are still working on very limited staff.  It could very well take a month for a reply. 

[ronh 27]

3 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

Unfortunately I cant remember all of the details from when we did the DNA test with the embassy, and it will be much different as of today due to COVID.  This is done on the American Citizen services side and they are only working on an appointment basis and very limited staff as well.  I would write to ACS at USEM and if no answer, contact the DNA company again as they may know or have a general idea.  COVID has changed the normal processes.

 

I believe the embassy contacted me for the DNA swab and this DNA testing was only done on Tuesdays and Thursdays at USEM.  On the day this was done, we first went to the embassy to complete some paperwork, then over to SLEC to pay for the swab fee (less than 2,000p) then in the afternoon we were back to the Embassy for the swab test.  It was all painless, but it made for a long day.  I was living in Manila when this was done so we all just did the testing in a room in the Embassy.  For you, they may direct you a place closest to you for the swab.  

 

Expect the embassy to be slow though as they are still working on very limited staff.  It could very well take a month for a reply. 

Thank you for the quick reply. I really  appreciate you for giving me so much information regarding this issue. My DNA sample was collected on 1/15/21. Thank you once again and God bless.