DNA test
What is a DNA test?
Each person has unique characteristics. Our DNA contains these characteristics. Parents pass on part of these unique characteristics to their children. This means that children partially have the same DNA as their parents. During a DNA test, an expert takes a mouth swab from you and compares it with the mouth swabs of your family members. The outcome of the DNA test proves whether you are related to one another.
DNA sampling
The Dutch embassy will take DNA of you family members. They must make an appointment themselves. If their DNA has been taken, the embassy will inform the IND. After that, the IND invites you to have DNA taken at the DNA desk. You will receive a letter with information about your appointment. You cannot make an appointment yourself.
DNA test in steps and costs
The DNA test is free. These are the steps of the DNA test:
Step 1. At the DNA desk in Den Haag, a staff member establishes your identity.
Step 2. With a small cotton swab, a staff member takes some mucus from the inside of your cheek.
Step 3. An expert from the Netherlands Forensic Institute (in Dutch: Nederlands Forensisch Instituut or NFI) examines the this DNA material. This takes a few weeks.
Step 4. Outcome of the DNA test: you either are or are not related to the person for whom you want to come to the Netherlands for family reunification.
Find out more about the DNA test
See the 'Appendix Application for DNA test in case of family reunification' which is part of the family reunification application form.