Have you been adopted and recently located a possible biological aunt or uncle through an ancestry website? Perhaps an alleged father is deceased, unavailable, or unwilling to participate in DNA testing. Under these circumstances, an Avuncular DNA Test may help determine whether a biological relationship exists when the biological mother or biological father cannot be tested. An Avuncular DNA Test is a relationship DNA test used to determine whether an alleged aunt or uncle is biologically related to a niece or nephew. Adding the mother or alleged father when available may strengthen the laboratory’s analysis by providing additional genetic information for comparison.
Avuncular DNA Testing is commonly performed when biological parents, grandparents, or siblings are unavailable to participate in the testing process. This testing option may be used for adoption reunification, personal peace of mind, immigration matters, Social Security benefits, private life insurance claims and estate disputes. Legal and non-legal testing options are available.
All legal Avuncular DNA Testing services are performed through our partner AABB-accredited laboratory. AABB accreditation helps establish a strict chain of custody, allowing results to be recognized by courts, government agencies, immigration authorities, and U.S. passport agencies when required. IDTO DNA has over 22 years of experience providing relationship DNA testing services nationwide.
How much does an Avuncular Test cost?
Starting price at $299.99. Below are our aunt/uncle DNA testing options.
DNA Testing Options:
Home Testing Kit:
Pricing Starts at $299.99
At Home Avuncular Testing option is for peace of mind purposes only. Results cannot be used for legal purposes. Below are the contents of DNA test kit:
- 4-6 sterilized buccal swabs (2 swabs per person)
- Sample collection instructions
- Contact identification form
- Prepaid overnight FedEx return shipping
Please note:
In cases where one party resides in New York State, this testing option cannot be utilized due to the New York State Department of Health regulations. At‑home Peace of Mind Aunt/Uncle Testing cannot be performed within the state of New York.
What is a legal Avuncular DNA Testing
A legal Avuncular DNA test is commonly performed for the purposes of determining a biological relationship between an aunt/uncle with a niece or nephew legal purposes such as for immigration, adoption, or, estate cases.
All legal DNA testing services we offer are performed by our partner AABB-accredited DNA Testing Laboratory for the purpose of establishing a proper legal chain of custody for evidence submission. The accreditation ensures your results will be recognized by immigration agencies and state institutions like family court.
| Testing Options | Cost |
| Legal Avuncular DNA Test (Aunt/Uncle w/Niece or Nephew) w/o mother | $499.99 |
| Legal Avuncular DNA Test (Aunt/Uncle w/Niece or Nephew) w/ mother | $599.99 |
Where can go to schedule DNA testing appointment?
Scheduling an appointment is simple. Call 888-204-0583 to book an appointment with our customer support throughout the United States with one of our 3,000 plus collection sites we access to in our network nationwide.
DNA Testing Services By State
Please note: Once your case has been initiated you will be assigned a case manager that will answer you questions and guide you through your entire DNA testing process from beginning to end.
Can avuncular DNA testing be used for immigration purposes?
Yes. An avuncular DNA test may be used for immigration purposes to help support a claimed biological relationship between an alleged aunt or uncle and a niece or nephew. Immigration DNA testing is generally requested when primary evidence, such as birth certificates or other supporting documents, is considered insufficient by a U.S. immigration agency.
To perform an immigration avuncular DNA test, the petitioner or beneficiary should first receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), I-130 petition-related correspondence, or an official DNA testing request from USCIS, a U.S. Embassy, or a U.S. Passport Agency. This process helps ensure a proper immigration chain of custody is established through our partner AABB-accredited laboratory.
It is important to understand that immigration DNA testing is voluntary and used as secondary evidence. DNA testing does not guarantee visa approval, citizenship approval, or any immigration benefit determination by USCIS or another government agency. Learn more about our immigration DNA testing services here.
Please note: Avuncular DNA testing is seldom requested by USCIS, U.S. Embassies, or U.S. Passport Agencies. Most immigration DNA cases involve parent-child relationships, while sibling DNA testing is more commonly requested than avuncular testing.
Can I use an alternative DNA sample for DNA avuncular test?
Yes. Alternative forensic DNA samples can be used when an uncle, aunt or niece or nephew is unavailable to participate in the DNA testing process.
| Common Forensic DNA Samples | Legal Use |
| Blood Stain | Cannot be used for legal purposes |
| Hair Follicles | Can be used for legal purposes. If a chain of custody can be established. Commonly used for deceased relative cases. |
| Toothbrush | Cannot be used for legal purposes |
| Earwax | Cannot be used for legal purposes |
| Fingernails | Can be used for legal purposes. If a chain of custody can be established. Commonly used for deceased relative cases. |
| Used Kleenex | Cannot be used for legal purposes |
Please note, forensic samples listed above cannot be used for legal purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DNA Avuncular Testing results take?
The standard turnaround time for Avuncular DNA Test results is approximately 2–3 business days after the laboratory receives all DNA samples needed for testing.
Certain sample types, including hair, bone, or other forensic DNA specimens, may require additional laboratory processing time. Standard cheek swab avuncular DNA tests typically provide the fastest turnaround times.
Once your DNA analysis is complete, you will receive two copies of your results. One copy will be sent by email, and a second copy will be mailed directly to your home for your records.
Same-Day Aunt/Uncle DNA Test Results
Expedited same-day results may be available for select non-legal Avuncular DNA Testing cases for an additional fee.
Contact IDTO DNA today at 888-204-0583 to learn more about turnaround times, expedited testing options, and the Avuncular DNA Testing process.
Are Aunt/Uncle DNA test results accurate?
All legal avuncular tests are performed through our partner AABB-accredited laboratory. This accreditation helps ensure the DNA test results are recognized by judicial courts, for adoption peace of mind, immigration agencies, and government institutions nationwide.
Yes. Avuncular testing is accurate option when chain-of-custody procedures and accredited laboratory testing standards are followed. All DNA samples undergo a strict dual-analysis process to help ensure accurate and reliable results for claimed biological relationships.
Our partner laboratory analyzes between 18 and 22 genetic markers during the avuncular DNA testing process to determine the probability of a biological relationship. Inclusion results commonly produce a probability of relatedness of 99% or higher.
In exclusion cases, additional extended DNA analysis may be performed using up to 27 genetic markers to help determine whether the tested individuals are biologically unrelated.
It should be noted adding a mother or a father to this testing option is recommended.
Are my DNA results kept private?
Yes. IDTO DNA and its partner laboratory do not share any personal or genetic information with third-party companies.
All information provided to our partner laboratory is kept secure and will only be released to third parties with the explicit consent of the participants involved or by court order. Specimen samples on file are kept for an average of 3 months, then destroyed.
How much DNA do uncles and nephews share?
Uncles and nephews typically share approximately 25% of their DNA on average. The exact percentage may vary due to random genetic inheritance patterns, but 25% is the expected amount of shared DNA between these relatives.
The average 25% shared DNA occurs because:
- A child inherits 50% of their DNA from their mother and 50% from their father.
- Siblings share approximately 50% of their DNA with one another.
- An uncle shares approximately 50% of his DNA with the nephew’s parent.
- The nephew inherits approximately 50% of that parent’s DNA.
Therefore:
50% × 50% = 25%
As a result, an uncle and nephew are expected to share approximately 25% of their DNA, making avuncular DNA testing a useful option when a biological parent is unavailable for testing.
It is important to note, it may not be possible for the lab to reach a conclusive result because aunts and uncles share up to 25% of shared DNA. In cases where the percentage of shared DNA to low, a conclusive result may not be possible. The conclusion of your report will reflect the lab’s findings.
How to read an Avuncular DNA test?
Understanding your avuncular DNA test results is important when determining whether an alleged aunt or uncle is biologically related to a niece or nephew. Below is a general explanation of how to interpret an avuncular DNA test result.
Probability of Relatedness
The Probability of Relatedness indicates the likelihood that the tested individuals share the claimed biological relationship. For example, a result showing a 99.9% probability strongly supports the conclusion that the tested individuals are biologically related.
Comparison to Unrelated Individuals
The laboratory compares the DNA profiles of the tested individuals against statistical models for both related and unrelated people. This comparison helps determine whether the genetic similarities observed are more consistent with a biological relationship than with two unrelated individuals selected from the general population.
Positive and Negative Predictive Values
The Positive Predictive Value (PPV) measures the reliability of a positive result, while the Negative Predictive Value (NPV) measures the reliability of a negative result. High PPV and NPV percentages provide additional support for the laboratory’s conclusion.
Conclusion
A result showing a 99.9% probability of relatedness provides strong genetic evidence supporting the claimed biological relationship. The laboratory’s conclusion is based on the DNA profiles submitted for testing and the statistical analysis performed on those samples.
Why Choose Us IDTO DNA
IDTO DNA is a BBB accredited company who continue to serve thousands of families nationwide with their avuncular testing needs. Since 2004, we have been a trusted source for both legal and medical professionals seeking reliable DNA testing for their clients.
Our knowledgeable staff will guide you in selecting the right type of genetic test for your specific situation. This careful attention helps prevent ordering the wrong relationship test and avoids the need to pay for additional testing.
