DNA Testing
When documentary evidence is insufficient to confirm a relationship that supports a claim to citizenship or visa eligibility, DNA testing is an option. DNA testing is voluntary; all expenses and risks are the responsibility of the parties involved. The Embassy will only accept the results of DNA tests done by a laboratory in the United States accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) . At this time, only the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Short Tandem Repeats (PCR-STR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) methods of DNA testing are accepted. The Embassy recommends using buccal swabs, for specimen collection, because they are easier to transport and less intrusive.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Petitioner/putative parent identifies a laboratory in the U.S accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. He/she contacts the laboratory to have his/her sample taken.
U.S laboratory sends instructions, a collection kit and a prepaid DHL or Federal Express airway bill directly to the panel physician in Guyana (listed below).
The applicant contacts the panel physician and confirms that the collection kit has been received. Once receipt is confirmed, the applicant will receive an appointment date from the panel physician to have his/her sample collected at the Embassy.
Representatives from the Embassy will be present to witness the sample collection and arrange for transfer of the sample to DHL or Federal Express for transport to the U.S. laboratory chosen by the petitioner/putative parent.
The applicant/s must present the following documents on the day of sample collection:
1. His/her passport with a photocopy of the biographical page.
2. A passport size photo for each applicant.
IF ANY OF THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE MISSING, THE SAMPLE/S WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.
Test Results: Please be aware that we do not accept DNA results from applicants or petitioners; only results received directly from the approved AABB laboratory and accompanied by full identity chain of custody documentation are acceptable.
Note: The requirement that all results be accompanied by full identity and chain of custody documents is new; some laboratories have been doing this all along, but many have not been providing this documentation with their results. Please inform the laboratory of your choice about this new requirement in order to preclude the possibility of additional delays in the processing of your case at the Embassy.
Accredited Blood/Genetic Testing Laboratories:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved more than fifty U.S. laboratories to perform genetic tests to establish family relationships for immigration purposes. A complete list of laboratories is available from the AABB home page: http://www.aabb.org/Content
Panel Physicians (Guyana)
Dr. Nainiappan Daniel
St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital
132 Parade Street
Kingston, Georgetown
Phone No. 225-4781, 227-2070-9
Dr. Arya Devi Karyampudi
St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital
132 Parade Street
Kingston, Georgetown
Phone No. 225-4781, 227-2070-9
Dr. Collin Roach
St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital
132 Parade Street
Kingstown, Georgetown
Phone No. 225-4781, 227-2070-9