Home Office DNA testing

A DNA test for a Home Office visa application or a UK passport application might be needed if the client/applicant is applying to join family members who are already living in the UK as permanent residents, or if they are applying for a UK passport based on a familial relationship.

In this article, we discuss immigration DNA testing for the Home Office.

Learn more about our Immigration DNA Testing

When is a Home Office DNA test required?

A DNA test for a Home Office visa application or a UK passport application might be needed if the client/applicant is applying to join family members who are already living in the UK as permanent residents, or if they are applying for a UK passport based on a familial relationship.

A person submitting an immigration or passport application will usually be required to submit supporting documents such as birth or marriage certificates.

These documents are often enough to prove a relationship for an immigration application or a passport application.

However, where more evidence is required, or there are no official documents available (e.g. birth certificates), the applicant might choose to take a DNA test to prove a biological relationship to family members residing in the UK.

It’s important to note that the applicant must independently decide to submit DNA evidence, as they cannot be asked to do so by Home Office officials.

Learn more: When is DNA testing useful for immigration?

Which DNA test is best when submitting evidence to the Home Office?

The type of DNA test you need will depend on your client’s personal circumstances.

At AlphaBiolabs, we offer the following DNA relationship tests to support immigration, visa and passport applications:

• Paternity testing
• Maternity testing
• Sibling testing
• Aunt/uncle (avuncular) testing
• Grandparent testing
• Extended family testing – for distant relatives

Our DNA relationship testing is also the most powerful in the UK, analysing up to 45 DNA markers for an accurate and reliable result.

Get a quote for an Immigration DNA test

What samples are required for an immigration/Home Office DNA test?

If your client is looking for a DNA test to prove to the Home Office that there is a biological relationship to family members residing in the UK, they must use a DNA testing laboratory that:

• Holds ISO/IEC17025 accreditation
• Follows the Home Office collection process – this means you need an independent witness to take your sample, such as someone from the testing laboratory

This will help ensure DNA evidence is admissible to the Home Office.

AlphaBiolabs meets these requirements. We also have over 20 years’ experience providing DNA testing for specialist immigration solicitors and their clients.

A Home Office DNA test in support of UK immigration/passport applications simply requires cheek (buccal) swab DNA samples be collected from all parties taking part in the test. The samples are collected by rubbing a swab (like a cotton bud) on the inside of each donor’s cheek to collect cheek cells for analysis.

These samples are then analysed and compared in the DNA laboratory to identify matching DNA markers (loci) and verify a biological relationship between the donors.

If the individuals are related, they will share enough DNA markers to verify a biological relationship. If they are not related, this will not be the case.

There are also certain collection standards that must be met for DNA evidence to be admissible to the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration and HM Passport Office.

This includes ensuring the DNA samples are collected under strict chain of custody conditions. When samples are collected under chain of custody, a trained sample collector will obtain the DNA samples from each donor, and photographic identification must also be obtained, to ensure samples are collected from the right people.

How are DNA samples collected in the UK?

For immigration DNA testing, the DNA samples must be collected by a professional sample collector under chain of custody conditions, maintaining the integrity of the sample, and ensuring the results will be accepted by the Home Office.

Samples can be collected as follows:

• by one of AlphaBiolabs’ trained sample collectors at a time and location convenient to your client such as home, work, or another location.
• by an AlphaBiolabs sample collector at one of our UK-wide walk-in centres. Sample collection is FREE at our walk-in centres for legally-instructed DNA tests.
• at your client’s local GP or medical practice.

Once your case is registered with us, your dedicated Case Manager will work with you to schedule the sample collection appointments as appropriate for your client.

At the appointment, the person being tested will need to provide a form of photographic ID, and their photograph will also be taken to verify that the samples have been collected from the right person.

How are DNA samples collected abroad?

When collecting a DNA sample from a foreign location, a sample collection kit is sent to the required foreign location, and an appointment can be arranged via a local GP, medical practice, hospital, or another approved clinic in the applicant’s country.

The DNA samples are then collected under chain of custody, with the donor(s) required to provide a form of photographic ID, along with two passport-sized photographs that are signed by the collector at the time the samples are obtained.

AlphaBiolabs, is well-versed in collecting DNA samples from individuals living abroad.

We operate alongside a large international network of sample collectors, who work closely with immigration centres, consulates, and embassies worldwide to ensure a fast and efficient service, collecting samples from over 90 different countries worldwide.

Our DNA tests for immigration are accepted by the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, HM Passport Office, and UK courts.

How does the DNA testing process work?

Once the DNA samples arrive back at our laboratory, our geneticists extract the DNA from the cheek cell samples using one of the newest DNA extraction techniques available.

The high-quality DNA samples obtained during extraction are then subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR amplifies the DNA extracted from a person’s cheek cell sample, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence.

Our genetics lab can analyse DNA samples for up to 45 DNA Short Tandem Repeats (STR) markers – double the industry standard for relationship DNA testing – for a conclusive result.

STR markers are specific locations on a chromosome made up of sequences of repeated DNA. These STR markers are highly variable in length between individuals. Each individual has two copies of each STR marker, known as alleles: one is inherited from the father and the other from the mother.

The two alleles observed at each STR marker are compared between the tested individuals. The correspondence of alleles between tested individuals provides evidence of a relationship between them. Statistical calculations are then performed to determine the probability of the tested individuals sharing a relationship.

Learn more about our Immigration DNA Testing

When will the immigration DNA test results be available?

We understand that with immigration/passport applications and appeals, the need to meet deadlines is incredibly important.

That’s why we provide next-day* DNA test results as standard for immigration cases. We can also offer same-day* DNA test results if required.

*Business days from when the samples arrive at our laboratory before 10am.

How much does a Home Office DNA test cost?

The cost of a DNA test for immigration depends on several factors, including where the samples need to be collected from (e.g. foreign location) and which DNA relationship test is required (e.g. paternity, maternity, sibling, aunt/uncle or grandparent).

Depending on the circumstances, the applicant may be entitled to legal aid towards the cost of the DNA test.

The Legal Aid Agency has produced a wealth of information to assist individuals who want to check whether they are eligible for legal aid funding.

We recommend that anyone seeking an immigration DNA test uses the legal aid checker as a starting point before embarking on the complex process of applying for legal aid for an immigration or passport application.

We also offer a six-month interest-free payment option for private individuals seeking a DNA test for immigration/passport applications.

How can I get a quote for an immigration/Home Office DNA test?

It’s easy to get a quote for an immigration DNA test online now.

Simply complete out online legal quote form, and a member of our dedicated team will be in touch to discuss your client’s requirements.

Alternatively, call us on 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com for more information.

Please note: The Legal Aid Agency has produced a wealth of information to assist individuals who want to check whether their case is eligible for legal aid funding. We recommend using the legal aid checker as a starting point before applying for legal aid for an immigration, visa, or passport application.

All AlphaBiolabs’ pricing is within Legal Aid Agency rates.

If you are a member of the public/private individual looking for immigration DNA testing, click here.

Useful links related to Home Office DNA testing

• Gov.uk: If you’re giving DNA evidence to the Home Office
• Gov.uk: Check if you can get legal aid
• Gov.uk: Home Office DNA policy guidance – Version 4.0
• Citizens Advice: Immigration – all topics