Collecting Your DNA Sample
In order to get the highest quality DNA sample possible, we highly recommend you swab first thing upon waking before eating, drinking, smoking, chewing/dipping tobacco, inserting your dentures, or brushing your teeth.
We also recommend the following precautions:
- If you cannot take your test first thing upon waking, do not eat, drink, smoke, chew/dip tobacco, or brush your teeth for at least one hour before taking the test.
- If you wear dentures or have a condition that causes excessive dry mouth, we highly recommend you swab before using any denture cream or cement or inserting your dentures.
- If you are feeling ill (flu, Covid 19, et cetera) we recommend waiting until you recover to take the test. This will help ensure a quality swab of cheek cells and not bacteria.
Following these tips will increase your chances of a high-quality swab for testing.
What Your DNA Test Kit Contains
Your DNA kit includes several important items, and it is important to understand what needs to be included when you mail your completed collection kit back to our lab. There are two types of DNA collection kits: swabs with vials and dry swabs.
Swabs with Vials Kit
If the kit you received contains two small vials in addition to two sterile swab sticks, you have the swabs with vials kit. Please use the Swabs with Vials Kit Instructions.
The Swabs with Vials Kit contains:
- Sterile Swabs - Two sterile inside-of-the-mouth cheek swabs for DNA sample collection.
- Lysis Buffer - Two orange-capped vials with liquid.
- Poly Bag - Mail sleeve the kit arrived in.
- Instructions for collecting your DNA sample - Available in many languages.
- DNA Processing Consent Form - Written consent to allow FamilyTreeDNA to process your DNA sample.
- Clear resealable plastic bag - Place the completed swab vials and DNA Processing Consent form in this bag.
- Self-addressed brown envelope - Use this return packaging to mail your completed collection kit to our lab.
Dry Swab Kit
If the kit you received contains two sterile swab sticks with swab pouches, you have a dry swab kit. Please use the Dry Swabs Kit Instructions.
The Dry Swabs Kit contains:
- Swabs - Two sample collection swab sticks in pouches.
- Swab Pouches - self-sterilization pouches containing one swab each. Completed swabs should be placed in these pouches when returning the collection kit.
- Poly Bag - Mail sleeve the kit arrived in.
- Instructions for collecting your DNA sample - Available in many languages.
- DNA Processing Consent Form - Written consent to allows FamilyTreeDNA to process your DNA sample.
- Self-addressed brown envelope - Use this return packaging to mail your completed collection kit to our lab.
The following is a list of countries whose customers receive the Dry Swab kit:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Iraq
- Mexico
- Pakistan
- Poland
- Turkey
Taking Your DNA Test
Follow the below instructions for the type of kit you have.
Swabs with Vials Kit Instructions
The FamilyTreeDNA swab with vials test kit consists of two sterile inside-of-the-mouth cheek swabs and two vials designed to be used by one individual. Each vial contains a fluid designed to arrest bacterial growth, so you can swab your cheek and return your kit in any type of weather (hot or cold). The freshness of your sample will remain intact for years.
Note: If you wear dentures or have a condition that causes excessive dry mouth, we highly recommend you swab first thing upon waking before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. Use one swab on one cheek and one swab on the other cheek with the above directions. This will increase your chances of a high-quality swab for testing.
To use the swabs with vials kit:
Step 1: Wait at least one hour after eating or drinking.
Step 2: Wash your hands.
Step 3: Remove the contents of the box or poly bag your collection kit arrived in. This includes two sterile swabs, two capped vials with liquid, one clear resealable plastic bag, one brown return envelope, and paper documentation.
NOTE: Each swab and vial is intended for one cheek only. The kit contains two swabs and two vials - one for each cheek.
Step 4: Remove one swab stick from the sterile packaging. DO NOT touch the swab end.
Step 5: Insert the swab tip end into your mouth while holding the opposite end. Hold it like a toothbrush.
Step 6: Rub the swab tip end inside of your cheek. Use the swab for one cheek only. You may rub up and down, back and forth, or in circles. You may change the direction you rub at any time. The goal is to collect as many tissue cells as possible from the inside of your cheek.
Step 7: Rub the inside of one cheek for 30-60 seconds. Once the minute is up, remove the swab from your mouth.
Step 8: Open one of the vials by twisting off the cap. Set it upright so that the liquid inside does not spill out.
Step 9: Insert the swab end of the stick into the vial.
Step 10: Align the small grooved black line on the swab stick with the edge of the open vial, and snap it off at the breakpoint leaving the swab end inside the liquid in the vial.
Step 11: Discard the remaining stick portion of the swab along with the sterile packaging it was sealed in.
Step 12: Twist the cap of the vial shut. Please be sure that it is shut tightly so that it will not leak.
Step 13: Repeat steps 4 through 12 using the second swab and second vial.
NOTE: Make sure you use the opposite cheek from the one you used the first swab on.
Step 14: Place the two vials with the collected DNA samples inside them in the clear resealable plastic bag.
Step 15: Place the signed DNA Processing Consent Form in the clear resealable plastic bag. You may fold this form to fit if needed.
Step 16: Seal the clear resealable plastic bag and place it in the self-addressed brown envelope.
Step 17: Seal the envelope and mail it with the postal carrier of your choice.
Dry Swab Kit Instructions
The FamilyTreeDNA dry swab test kit consists of two swabs in pouches. After taking your samples, make sure to air-dry your swabs for at least 30 minutes so that your sample stays intact on the swab.
Note: If you wear dentures or have a condition that causes excessive dry mouth, we highly recommend you swab first thing upon waking before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. Use one swab on one cheek and one swab on the other cheek with the above directions. This will increase your chances of a high-quality swab for testing.
To use the dry swab kit:
Step 1: Wait at least one hour after eating or drinking.
Step 2: Wash your hands.
Step 3: Remove the contents of the box or poly bag your collection kit arrived in. This includes two swabs in pouches, one brown return envelope, and paper documentation.
NOTE: Each swab and vial is intended for one cheek only. The kit contains two swabs in pouches - one for each cheek.
Step 4: On a clean surface, remove one swab from its pouch, and place the pouch to the side for future use.
NOTE: DO NOT touch the swab end.
Step 5: Insert the swab tip end into your mouth while holding the opposite end. Hold it like a toothbrush.
Step 6: Rub the swab end inside of your cheek. Use the swab for one cheek only. You may rub up and down, back and forth, or in circles. You may change the direction you rub at any time. The goal is to collect as many tissue cells as possible from the inside of your cheek.
Step 7: Rub the inside of one cheek for 30-60 seconds. Once the minute is up, remove the swab from your mouth.
Step 8: Place the swab on top of a clean paper towel or paper surface and allow it to air-dry for at least 30 minutes. For best results, samples must be completely dry prior to placing them back into their pouches.
Step 9: On the opposite cheek, repeat steps 4 through 8 using the second swab. Do not allow the two swabs to touch one another.
Step 10: Once the samples are dry, take each swab and place them back into their individual pouches. Then seal each pouch.
Step 11: Place the sealed pouches and the signed green consent form into the return envelope provided.
Step 12: Seal the envelope and mail it with the postal carrier of your choice.
Commonly Asked Questions
Where does the consent form go — in the bag with the tubes, or loose in the envelope?
This depends on whether you have a kit with vials, or a dry swab collection kit:
- If you have a swabs with vials kit (two vials) - Put both sealed vials and your signed consent form into the clear resealable plastic bag, and seal it. Put the sealed bag into the self-addressed brown envelope. Seal the envelope and send it.
- If you have a dry swab kit (two swabs, no vials) - A dry swab kit has no clear resealable plastic bag. Seal each dried swab back in its own swab pouch, then put both sealed swab pouches and your signed green consent form into the self-addressed brown envelope.
What is the clear plastic bag, specimen bag, or plastic baggie?
They are the same thing. It is the clear resealable plastic bag that came in your kit, and people call it the clear bag, the plastic bag, the plastic baggie, the specimen bag, or the Ziplock bag.
It keeps your vials and your signed consent form together so that nothing is separated or lost in transit. Both the vials and the form go inside it.
What is the bag my kit arrived in for?
That is the poly bag we ship the kit to you in. It is outbound packaging only and nothing goes back in it. Your sample and your signed consent form go in the clear resealable plastic bag, and that goes in the self-addressed brown envelope.
Do I need to fold or seal the consent form in anything?
Fold it if you need to so that it fits in the clear resealable plastic bag with your vials. It does not need its own bag, envelope or sleeve.
What is the bag that says Documents Enclosed for?
That is a customs sleeve, and it is only used on international shipments sent by our own shipping team. It carries customs paperwork on the outside of a package. It is not part of your test kit and your consent form does not go in it.
If you are returning a kit from outside the United States, follow the return instructions that came with your kit. Your consent form still goes in the clear resealable plastic bag with your sample.
What happens if I forget the consent form?
We cannot process your DNA sample without a signed consent form, so your kit will be held when it reaches the lab and we will contact you. If your form is missing or damaged before you post it, you can download and print a replacement — see DNA Processing Consent Form.