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DNA Testing
 

DNA Testing Information for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)/Passport applicants

DNA testing may be recommended to prove a parent-child biological relationship in conjunction with a U.S. citizenship application. DNA analyzes the genetic material in human cells and has been found to be over 99% accurate in verifying parent/child relationships. The testing is entirely voluntary and all costs and expenses must be paid entirely by the visa or passport applicant and/or family.  Test results are usually available within a month. 

If you decide to proceed with a DNA test, you may arrange for testing with any DNA laboratories accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). 

List of AABB-accredited laboratories

Please ensure that the lab you select can process buccal (saliva) swabs, will test for the type of family relationship under question, and is willing to handle international shipments, including providing customs clearance forms and mailing of kits, samples, and results via pre-paid return envelopes.

The laboratory must send the testing kit to the address below:          

American Consulate General
Fraud Prevention Unit
C-49, G Block Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East)
Mumbai 400 051
Telephone +91-22-2672-4000
Email: mumbaif@state.gov

We will contact you when an appointment is made for DNA collection. DNA is done on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  A certified medical professional will collect samples from the test participant(s) in the presence of a consular official at the Consulate. We cannot schedule an appointment before a testing kit is received at the Consulate or before a Consular Report of Birth has been submitted to the Consulate. On the day of the appointment, a collection fee of Rs. 300/person must be paid to Lilavati Hospital, A-791, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra West, Mumbai 400 050. Please note that the cash counter at the hospital is open only from 8.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.  DNA testing cannot be conducted on the same day as application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad and U.S. passport. 

The laboratory and mailing fees should be paid directly to the testing laboratory.

On the day of the appointment, all persons to be tested must appear at the Consulate with the following documents: 

  1. Original of the child's birth certificate and a photocopy of the certificate;
  2. Valid passport of the U.S. citizen parent and one photocopy of the biographic information page in the passport, or a notarized copy of a U.S. citizen parent's valid passport.
  3. One passport size photograph of the child and one of the U.S. citizen parent, and
  4. Receipt for payment of collection fee from Lilavati Hospital.

All test results must be sent directly by the processing laboratory to the Consulate; we cannot accept faxes, emails, or scanned copies of test results. You will be contacted when the results have been received at the Consulate.