Home Office Approved DNA Testing

The process of completing a Home Office application can be a very stressful and difficult time. This is increasingly so when the Home Office requests that applicants undertake a DNA test in order to prove their biological relationships to each other to support their application.

In cases such as these, the services of an experienced, trusted and reliable DNA testing company such as dadcheck® is essential!

We understand that the DNA testing process can be very daunting and you may have a lot of questions that need answering. Below we have answered a few of our frequently asked questions to help try and guide you through the process.

Can any laboratory undertake my DNA test?

No! You must use a lab that is accredited by the Ministry of Justice, otherwise the results may not be accepted and your application may be declined. All accredited labs undergo yearly inspections to ensure they work to the highest possible standard and provide the best DNA service possible! A list of all the accredited DNA laboratories can be found here.

How do I go about arranging my DNA test?

How to go about arranging your DNA test relies entirely upon whether you are doing it for a passport application or visa application.

For visa applications, you can arrange your DNA test independently of the immigration authorities. Doing this step before processing your application can significantly reduce the application process time. But don’t worry if you have already submitted your application, at dadcheck® we offer a rapid turnaround time to ensure you meet any deadlines set by the Home Office. All we need is the details of all the participants of the test and we will arrange everything for you.

For passport applications, Immigration officials must witness the collection of your samples at the HM Passport Office (if you’re based in the UK) or at the British High Commissions (if you are based overseas). We operate our own nationwide network of registered samplers in the UK, with great availability to get your sample collection booked at a time that suits you. Once your DNA test is complete, we can send your results directly to the Passport Office upon your request.

What relationships can you test for?

At dadcheck, we most commonly test for paternity (proof of fatherhood) and maternity (proof of motherhood), however we are also able to determine other biological relationships such as sibling (full, half or unrelated), grandparentage or avuncular (aunt/uncle) when the biological parents are not available for testing.

For passport applications, the Passport Office will state who needs to take part in the DNA test and what relationships need to be proven.

If you are unsure of what DNA test you need to undertake please contact us on 0191 543 6334 and one of our highly trained UK immigration experts will be happy to help you.

How long will my results take?

We understand the strict time deadlines that are often incurred with a DNA test requested by the Home Office so we offer a rapid turnaround time to make sure you meets these deadlines.

For applicants based in the UK, we operate our own network of nationwide registered samplers who can come and take your samples at a time and location that best suits you.

For applicants based overseas, we offer an express worldwide courier service to reduce the risk of time delays throughout the DNA testing process. We also arrange the shipment of the kit back to the UK once the samples have been collected.

Once we have received your samples back at our lab, we will have results for you within 5-7 working days.

If you have any further questions about DNA testing to support a Home Office application please call us today on 0191 543 6334 and speak to one of our highly trained immigration experts. At dadcheck®, our dedicated immigration advisors are experienced, informed and committed to assisting your clients through the DNA testing process!