Frequently Asked Questions about Immigration DNA Testing

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1. What type of testing will BRT Laboratories, Inc. perform?
   BRT Laboratories, Inc. performs immigration DNA testing and kinship analysis, which is genetic testing of biological samples (either blood or buccal swabs) collected from all family members to prove a genetic relationship between a petitioner and his/her beneficiary. BRT Laboratories, Inc. does not perform testing for infectious disease.
2. How much does the immigration DNA testing cost and what does my payment cover?
   The testing fee is $275 per person. The petitioner is responsible for making full payment for all family members being tested when his/her samples are collected. There is an additional fee to send the sample collection kit to the country in which the beneficiary(ies) resides. For some countries you may be required to pay for return shipping of the samples. The amount of the shipping fee depends on the country.
3. What does the sample collection kit shipping fee cover?
   In Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, and Liberia, the sample-collection-kit shipping fee covers the shipping of the kit one-way, from BRT Laboratories, Inc. to its destination. Any fees to ship the specimens to BRT Laboratories, Inc. must be paid by the beneficiary(ies) in that country.
   In Ghana, there is no shipping fee to send the sample collection kit from BRT Laboratories, Inc.
   In all other countries outside of the United States (U.S.), the petitioner must pay the kit shipping fee to send the sample collection kit to the country in which his/her beneficiary(ies) resides. He/she also has the option to pay for return shipping of the samples to the U.S. if desired or instructed to do so.
4. If I'm in a hurry, can my test be expedited?
   If you have a deadline with an Embassy/Consulate or with Homeland Security INS, you have the option to pay a $200 non-refundable fee to rush your case. BRT Laboratories, Inc. cannot guarantee to meet specific deadlines; however, rushing the case can significantly reduce testing time.
5. What do I need to bring for my sample collection appointment?
   You must have proper identification (valid passport, alien card, naturalization certificate, employee authorization card, asylum ID or driver's license) in order to have your sample collected. Also bring any paperwork that the Embassy/Consulate or Homeland Security INS has sent you requesting that testing be performed.
   Payment must be made in full at the time of sample collection. BRT Laboratories, Inc. will accept payments in the form of Visa/MasterCard, money order, or personal check. Personal checks can only be accepted if presented with a valid driver's license that matches the address on the check.
   Payments made at one of BRT Laboratories, Inc.'s affiliated sample collection centers must be in the form of a money order made payable to BRT Laboratories, Inc. Please bring contact information for your beneficiary(ies).
   In all countries, please provide date of birth, phone number, and any case numbers assigned by an Embassy/Consulate or Homeland Security INS such as ACC#, HCM# and EAC# for beneficiary(ies).
6. Who will test my beneficiary(ies) samples?
   After immigration DNA testing samples have been collected from the beneficiary(ies), the samples will be shipped to BRT Laboratories, Inc. in the U.S., where the genetic comparison between beneficiary and petitioner is performed.
7. Will my beneficiary(ies) be expected to pay any thing?
   Your beneficiary(ies) will be required to pay a sample collection fee to the Embassy/Consulate or its designated representative for collecting their samples. It is your responsibility to contact the Embassy/Consulate or designated representative to find out what the fees are.
   Also the beneficiary(ies) may be required to pay the Embassy/Consulate or its designated representative any shipping fees to have the samples returned to BRT Laboratories, Inc. unless return shipping has already been paid for in the U.S.
8. How will I know that the sample collection kit has been shipped for my beneficiary(ies)?
   BRT Laboratories, Inc. can provide you with DHL tracking information so that you may track the sample collection kit. Once you have confirmed that your sample collection kit has been delivered, contact your beneficiary(ies) and have them make an appointment with the Embassy/Consulate or its designated representative to have their samples collected.
9. How can my beneficiary(ies) schedule an appointment for sample collection?
   You must instruct your beneficiary(ies) to contact the Embassy/Consulate or its designated representative to schedule an appointment for sample collection. Ghana is the only country for which BRT Laboratories, Inc. can provide appointment information for the beneficiary(ies).
10. How long does the testing take?
    DNA immigration testing takes approximately 2-3 weeks from the time we receive samples from all parties. In rare cases, extended testing may be required, which may take an additional 2-4 weeks. When testing is completed, a report will be generated and mailed to the appropriate agency.
11. Where and how are test results sent?
    Upon completion of testing, BRT Laboratories, Inc. will send test results by First Class Mail to the Embassy/Consulate and appropriate Homeland Security INS office. A copy of the test results can be sent to the petitioner and other addresses indicated by the petitioner upon request.
    If you would like to have your results sent by courier, the fees are:
    Overnight to U.S. Homeland Security INS Office: $20
    Courier to Embassy/Consulate: $30-$75 depending on country
12. Who can I speak to if I have questions about my testing or the results?
    If you would like to discuss the status of your immigration DNA testing, you may contact BRT Laboratories, Inc. Customer Service at 1-800-765-5170; press or dial #1 from the greeting menu for access to the immigration DNA testing menu. Please have your kinship receipt/laboratory number available so that we may quickly retrieve your file.
13. Is it my responsibility to pursue my individual case?
    Yes, it is your responsibility. It is not the responsibility of BRT Laboratories, Inc. to make sure your beneficiary(ies) have their samples collected.

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DEFINITIONS:

Immigration DNA Testing or Kinship Analysis - genetic testing of biological samples (either blood or buccal swabs) collected from all family members to prove a genetic relationship between a petitioner and his/her beneficiary(ies).

Genetic Comparison - relation to another person by blood; kinship.

Petitioner - a person in the U.S. requesting (petitioning) to bring a blood relative living in another country into the U.S.

Beneficiary(ies) - an alleged blood relative generally residing in another country.

Rush Fee - an additional fee required to request expedition of test results.

Samples - either blood (finger stick) or buccal swab (mouth/cheek swab) samples collected from individuals for testing purposes.

Buccal Swab - a safe and painless method for collecting DNA from the inside of the mouth/cheek using a cotton-tip applicator stick.

Sample Collection Kit - includes supplies (paperwork and sample collection materials) used for sample collection and shipment of samples.

Homeland Security INS - the Immigration and Naturalization services division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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