DNA test info sent to us by embassy

Here is a the email series and handout emailed to us about DNA testing from the embassy. They are very responsive with emails, and setting up our online appointment for CRBA was easy. Just print out the confirmation. Then once you have mailed the DNA kit in advance just email to let them know it is coming, and then they will email you when it is recieved and set up the DNA collection appt. They knew from my email I'd requested to do it the same day as the embassy appointment, so when it was received they set it up automatically for us.

 

 

Dear Mrs. Grover:

Good morning!  Thank you for your e-mail.  I am sending you some information regarding surrogacy in India; this is our standard introductory informational email.    But in short, yes, you can have your DNA appointment and your CRBA appointment on the same day.   However, DNA collection does have to be coordinated with several other sections as well as a hospital, so as long as we have enough advance notice, we should be fine.   I take it from your email you are planning to arrive at the Embassy on 27 September for your CRBA appointment – please let me know if this is not the case.   Read through all of the below information and let me know if you have any more specific questions.

The first and most important thing to be aware of right now is the citizenship transmission requirements.  In order to transmit U.S. citizenship to your baby at birth, the genetically related parent must be a U.S. citizen at the time of the baby’s birth.  If it is the father, must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years prior to the birth of the baby.  If the genetic parent is the mother, only one year is required.  If both parents are genetically related, the physical presence requirement doesn’t apply. 

When you come to the Embassy to complete the passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) paperwork, you will need to show evidence of that physical presence, if applicable.  This can be done through current and old passports, tax records, college transcripts or other educational documents, Social Security statements, etc.  When filling out the applications for the passport, CRBA and Social Security card, please provide only the information of the genetically related parent and leave the other places blank.  Please note that only the genetic parent’s name will appear on the CRBA.

In general, you should allow yourself approximately three weeks from the time the baby is discharged from the hospital to complete all of the paperwork required by the Embassy and the Indian government.  There are several factors that influence how long the process can take, including the availability of appointments, waiting for DNA results to come back as well as the time it takes to obtain an Indian exit visa. 

Surrogacy in India is an unregulated commercial business, so DNA testing is expected in all cases.   You are encouraged to pre-order DNA testing kits about a month prior to the baby’s due date.  We will hold the kits for you here until you come in for the sample collection.  Please remember to order one kit for each person to be tested.  The genetic parent(s) may choose to do their DNA testing in the United States prior to traveling to India.  In this case, please check with the lab regarding the process for doing this as well as how long they keep the DNA results. 

Instructions for ordering the DNA kits, and a link to the list of accredited labs, are below.  If possible, we will try to schedule your passport and CRBA appointment on the same day as the DNA collection to save you a trip to the Embassy.   

Please let us know once the baby is born and you have the birth certificate in hand so we can start scheduling the DNA appointment. We’re happy to help you be as prepared as possible, so please let us know you if have any questions along the way.

I am attaching some important links taken from our website.  The first gives more instructions on applying for the CRBA, passport and social security card and provides forms.  You can also make your online appointments directly from this site: (http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/service/reporting-births-nd-citizenship-questions.html )/ .  In addition, please read through all of the information regarding DNA by following this link:  http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/service/reporting-births-and-citizenship-questions/surrogacy-a.r.t.-and-dna-testing .  Finally, here is a link to the DNA testing lab sites:  http://www.aabb.org/sa/facilities/Pages/RTestAccrFac.aspx

You can contact the different labs and pick the one that seems to best suit your needs.  Be sure to let them know if you will want expedited services and confirm with them what that means.  Some labs consider a week or two to be expedited while others will do it in a few days.  You can also ask them to email us the results, but you generally must specify that.  Sometimes they ask for a case number, in which case just give them your name to use as the case identifier (there is no number).  Remember to order one kit for each person to be tested (i.e. one for the genetically related parent and one for the baby).  Please have the DNA kits mailed to the following address:

     American Citizen Services   
     Consular Section     
     U.S. Embassy    
     Shantipath, Chanakyapuri   
     New Delhi, 110021, India

The entire process from the time the baby is discharged from the hospital till you get the visas in the passport to leave generally takes at least three weeks, and if you have DNA done you should add about a week.  If the baby is premature and there are health concerns, we can issue emergency passports which will cut off a few days, but, unfortunately, we have no control over the Indian visa processing time.

Again, please do keep in touch with us, and feel free to contact me with any additional questions.

All the best,

Sara Emmert

Consular Associate

US Embassy New Delhi

American Citizen Services

Privacy/PII

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

To: NDBox Surrogacy; NDBox Services Inquiries American
Subject: DNA test being shipped in advance

My name is Emily Grover and we are shipping a DNA test kit from an approved and accredited US DNA lab listed on your website to your office. It should arrive by September 27th before our 10:30am appointment for our report of birth abroad for our twins born by surrogacy. My husband Vineet Grover and I will be present along with both babies, and he is the sole genetic donor as we used a donor egg from Akanksha IVF Clinic in Anand. Can we possibly set a DNA collection appointment the same day?  We were told because of egg donation a DNA test would be required, and we are buying and shipping the kit in advance so that we may expedite the process and reduce costs. Thank you in advance for your assistance,

Emily Grover

 

U.S Embassy, New Delhi
Genetic Testing Procedures for Visa and Passport Applicants

DNA testing analyzes the genetic material present in human cells and has been found to be over 99 percent accurate in verifying family relationships such as: parent/child, brother/sister, etc. The testing is entirely voluntary and all costs and expenses associated with it must be borne entirely by the visa or passport applicant and/or his or her family. The results are typically available within a month (this varies by lab).

The petitioner may choose to use any DNA laboratory that is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and that conducts buccal swab testing. A list of AABB-accredited testing labs can be found at: http://www.aabb.org/Content/Accreditation/Parentage_Testing_Accreditation_Program/AABB_Accredited_Parentage_Testing_Laboratories/aboutptlabs.htm

Any Internet search engine can be used to look up the contact information for the individual labs. Please ensure that the DNA laboratory you choose:

1. Can process buccal swabs; 
2. Is willing to process the testing for the relationship under question (not all tests are for paternity);
3. Is willing to handle international shipments including providing the necessary customs clearance forms; and
4. Will forward the buccal swab test kit to the Embassy with a pre-paid return envelope.

Unless you have a compelling reason to do otherwise, you should choose the lab closest to your home.

If you decide to proceed with a DNA test, the petitioner (in the case of immigrant visa applications) in the U.S. or family member (in the case of passport applicants) should make arrangements for the test with an AABB-accredited lab. The testing kit should be sent to the following address:

Fraud Prevention Unit Telephone: 91-11-24198000
Consular Section Ext: 4028/ 4283

U.S. Embassy Fax: 91-11-24198587

Shantipath, Chanakyapuri Email: NDFPU@state.gov

New Delhi, 110021, India

Please DO NOT use a third party to select your U.S.-based lab, arrange appointments, or transport specimens, and at no time should the lab send you a testing kit. If this happens, please inform the Consular Section immediately at NDFPU@state.gov.

The following is a list of documents that the beneficiary or applicant needs to bring to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy on the scheduled date of DNA collection:

For immigrant visa applicants:

1. Valid passport and one photocopy of the biographic information page for the applicant. If the applicant is a minor (17 and under), then the accompanying adult must also bring their passport and a copy of the biographic page.
2. Two recent passport-size photographs for the applicant. If the applicant is a minor, then the accompanying adult must also bring one passport photo.
3. The clinic charges Rs. 1600 per sample taken and applicants should pay by a bank draft at the time of sample collection. The draft should be made out to MAX Healthcare Institute Ltd.

For US passport applications:

1. Original birth certificate and a photocopy of the same for the child.
2. Original passport and a photocopy of the accompanying US/Indian citizen parent of the child.
3. Two photographs of the child and one of the accompanying US/Indian citizen parent(s).
4. The clinic charges Rs. 1600 per sample taken and applicants should pay by a bank draft at the time of sample collection. The draft should be made out to MAX Healthcare Institute Ltd.

U.S Embassy, New Delhi
Genetic Testing Procedures for Visa and Passport Applicants

(CONTINUED)

When the Embassy receives the testing kit, we will contact the beneficiary or applicant in writing or by telephone and schedule the appointment date for collection of the DNA sample. Appointments cannot be scheduled before a testing kit is received by the Embassy. The beneficiary or applicant should arrive at the Consular Section at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment. Please note that no photo ID cards will be accepted other than a valid passport. All fees, including return shipping charges, must be paid by the beneficiary or applicant BEFORE the lab sends the kit to the Embassy.

ON THE DAY OF THE DNA TEST, THE APPLICANT MUST NOT EAT ANYTHING OR DRINK ANYTHING OTHER THAN WATER FOR 1-HOUR PRIOR TO ARRIVING FOR THE DNA TEST. ALL WOMEN SHOULD NOT WEAR LIPSTICK ON THE DAY OF TESTING ALSO. FOOD, DRINK, AND LIPSTICK COULD INTERFERE WITH DNA TESTING.