For U.S. immigration and most legal proceedings, test results are accepted only when the case is initiated directly with an AABB-accredited relationship-testing facility. If you need to verify AABB lab status before submitting a DNA report to USCIS or a state court, the three steps below will confirm it in minutes.
Three immediate actions:
- Check the AABB public directory at www.aabb.org/dna and search for the facility by name or state.
- Confirm the scope listed on the directory entry: look for "relationship testing," "collection," or "verification/reporting" to determine what the facility is actually accredited to do.
- Request written proof from the lab: an official accreditation certificate or notice that specifies scope, effective date, and lab director.
For historical verification (confirming a lab's status on the date a report was issued), contact AABB directly at accreditation@aabb.org.
Key Takeaways
The fastest way to verify AABB lab accreditation is to search the AABB public directory, confirm the facility's scope covers relationship testing (not collection only), and request a written accreditation certificate before submitting any report to USCIS or a court.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Use the AABB directory first | Search www.aabb.org/dna by facility name and state to confirm current accreditation status. |
| Confirm scope, not just listing | A collection-only listing does not satisfy USCIS or court requirements for a full tested report. |
| Request a written certificate | Ask the lab for a dated accreditation certificate specifying scope and lab director name. |
| Verify historical status by email | Contact accreditation@aabb.org to confirm whether a facility was accredited on the report's issuance date. |
| Arrange a retest if verification fails | If a lab cannot provide proof, do not submit the report; schedule a new test with a confirmed AABB-accredited facility. |
Table of Contents
- How to verify an AABB lab: the step-by-step process
- Why AABB accreditation matters for immigration and legal cases
- Checklist and email template for requesting accreditation proof
- What to do when the lab is not listed or accreditation doesn't match the report date
- Red flags that suggest a lab's AABB claim may not be reliable
- How AABB, CAP, and ISO 17025 accreditation differ for legal and immigration tests
- A note from US Diagnostics Center
- Sources
- FAQ
How to verify an AABB lab: the step-by-step process
The AABB public directory is the authoritative starting point. The directory listing is provided as a courtesy and is subject to change at any time, which is why saving a timestamped screenshot and requesting a written certificate from the lab are both necessary steps.
Step 1: Search the AABB public directory
Go to www.aabb.org/dna and locate the facility by name or state. An alternate sortable view with facility phone numbers is available through the AABB accreditation list. Note the facility name exactly as it appears, the accreditation activity listed, and any notes such as "variance" or "limited conformance."
Step 2: Confirm the scope of accreditation
AABB defines three distinct activities for relationship-testing facilities:
- Collection: the controlled process of obtaining biological samples from participants.
- Testing: laboratory analysis and interpretation of genetic markers.
- Verification/Reporting: confirming that requirements are met before issuing a report.
A facility may be accredited for one, two, or all three of these activities. If a full tested report is required by USCIS or a court, the facility must be accredited for testing, not collection alone. Record the effective date and note whether the listing shows any variance or limited conformance status.
Step 3: Request written documentation from the lab
The directory listing alone is not always sufficient for a receiving authority. Ask the lab to provide:
- A copy of its current AABB accreditation certificate
- A written scope statement identifying which activities are covered
- The lab director's name and qualifications
- The chain-of-custody form used for the specific test
- The exact report issuance date
Pro Tip: Screenshot the directory entry with a visible timestamp, save the PDF of the accreditation certificate, and ask the lab to email an official notice on letterhead. Forward all three documents to USCIS or the court clerk as a package.
Why AABB accreditation matters for immigration and legal cases
AABB accreditation is voluntary under U.S. law, but USCIS and most state court systems treat it as a mandatory threshold for relationship-testing reports. The practical consequence of submitting a report from a non-accredited facility is rejection, followed by a requirement to retest through an accredited lab, which adds cost and delay to an already time-sensitive process.
The AABB DNA Relationship Testing FAQs state explicitly that immigration test results are accepted only when the case is initiated directly with an AABB-accredited facility. That language leaves no room for substitution: a lab that holds CAP accreditation, ISO 17025 certification, or state licensure but not AABB relationship-testing accreditation will not satisfy USCIS requirements.
Key consequences of non-accredited testing:
- USCIS may reject the report outright and require a new test.
- A state court may decline to admit the results as evidence.
- The retesting process restarts chain-of-custody documentation from the beginning.
Checklist and email template for requesting accreditation proof
Before submitting any DNA report for legal or immigration use, confirm you have each of the following documents in hand.
Document checklist:
- Timestamped screenshot of the AABB directory entry showing facility name, scope, and effective date
- Official AABB accreditation certificate or notice from the lab (on letterhead, with scope and dates)
- Written scope statement confirming the facility is accredited for testing (not collection only)
- Lab director's name and stated qualifications (AABB permits off-site directors who meet FBI forensic DNA quality assurance standards under certain conditions)
- Completed chain-of-custody form with participant IDs, collection date and time, and witness signatures
- Copy of the final report with the issuance date clearly printed
Chain-of-custody fields to verify: participant names and government-issued ID numbers, collection date and time, collector's name and signature, witness signature, and the facility's internal case number.
Sample email to the lab:
I am requesting written confirmation of your current AABB accreditation status for relationship testing. Please provide a copy of your accreditation certificate, a scope statement identifying which activities are covered, and the name and qualifications of your laboratory director. I need this documentation to submit alongside a DNA report to [USCIS / the court]. Please reply with a PDF of the certificate attached.
What to do when the lab is not listed or accreditation doesn't match the report date
If the lab does not appear in the AABB directory:
- Do not submit the report to USCIS or a court until the status is resolved.
- Contact the lab directly and ask for written proof of AABB accreditation for relationship testing.
- If the lab cannot provide a certificate, treat the report as non-accredited.
- Arrange a retest with a facility that appears in the AABB directory under the correct scope.
If the lab is listed but you need to confirm its status on the date the report was issued:
- Email accreditation@aabb.org with the facility name, state, and the specific report date.
- Request a written statement confirming whether the facility held accreditation on that date and under what scope.
- Retain the AABB response as part of your case documentation.
If the lab refuses to cooperate:
- Document all communications in writing (email is preferable to phone).
- Escalate to the receiving authority: notify the USCIS officer or court clerk that you are attempting to verify accreditation and provide the communications log.
- Schedule a new test with a confirmed AABB-accredited facility rather than waiting indefinitely for a non-responsive lab.
Short email template for contacting AABB:
Subject: Accreditation Status Verification Request I am writing to confirm whether [Facility Name], located in [City, State], held AABB accreditation for relationship testing on [Report Date]. Please provide a written statement I can include in an immigration or legal filing. My contact information is [Name / Email / Phone].
Red flags that suggest a lab's AABB claim may not be reliable
A logo on a website or a marketing claim is not proof of accreditation. The authoritative proof is a current directory listing combined with a dated certificate that specifies scope.
Watch for these warning signs:
- The lab references "AABB" in marketing materials but does not appear in the public directory.
- The lab displays an AABB logo with no accompanying certificate or scope statement.
- The directory lists the facility as accredited for transfusion medicine or blood banking only, not relationship testing.
- The accreditation certificate has no effective date, no expiration date, or no scope description.
- The facility is listed as collection-only but is issuing full tested reports.
- The lab is evasive or slow to respond when asked for a certificate PDF.
Immediate steps when a red flag appears:
- Capture screenshots of all marketing claims and the directory entry (or absence of one).
- Request the certificate PDF in writing and note the date of the request.
- Confirm the scope and report issuance date against the certificate.
- If answers remain unsatisfactory, contact accreditation@aabb.org before submitting any report.
Retain all communications and screenshots for at least the duration of the immigration or legal proceeding. Courts and USCIS may request this documentation as part of the evidentiary record.
How AABB, CAP, and ISO 17025 accreditation differ for legal and immigration tests
Not all laboratory accreditations carry the same weight for relationship testing submitted to USCIS or a state court. Understanding the difference prevents a costly assumption.
| Accreditation | Primary focus | Accepted for immigration relationship testing | Typical use cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| AABB | Parentage and complex relationship testing | Yes, per USCIS and most state courts | Paternity, maternity, sibling, grandparent, kinship |
| CAP | Pathology and clinical laboratory quality | Not for relationship testing | Clinical diagnostics, pathology, oncology panels |
| ISO 17025 | General testing and calibration competence | Not specifically for relationship testing | Environmental, forensic, industrial testing |
CAP accreditation signals strong laboratory quality management for clinical diagnostics, as detailed in CAP accreditation guidance, but it does not address the specific standards for parentage and kinship analysis that AABB's Relationship Testing Standards require. ISO 17025 establishes general competence in testing methodology but similarly does not cover the chain-of-custody, reporting, and interpretation requirements specific to relationship testing. For a deeper technical comparison of all three programs, the AABB vs. CAP vs. ISO 17025 comparison at US Diagnostics Center covers the distinctions in detail.
What to record from the AABB directory entry:
- Activity scope (collection, testing, verification, or a combination)
- Effective date of current accreditation
- Any notes on variance or limited conformance, which may restrict the types of cases the facility can handle
A note from US Diagnostics Center
The guidance in this article reflects AABB's own published standards and directory resources. If you have questions about the verification process, how to read a directory listing, or which type of DNA test fits your situation, US Diagnostics Center's team can provide general guidance.
For readers who have confirmed an AABB-accredited facility and need a personal-use or at-home DNA test, US Diagnostics Center's DNA test options cover paternity, maternity, sibling, grandparent, and avuncular testing with results in 7–10 business days. For court-admissible testing needs, the legal DNA testing collection is the appropriate starting point.
Sources
The following official resources should be consulted when verifying accreditation or escalating a disputed status.
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified lawyer. Consult a qualified legal professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.
FAQ
What does AABB accreditation mean for a DNA lab?
AABB accreditation means a relationship-testing laboratory has been evaluated against AABB's published standards for parentage and kinship testing and has met requirements for accuracy, chain-of-custody, and reporting. USCIS and most U.S. state courts accept relationship-testing results only from AABB-accredited facilities.
Is every DNA testing lab automatically AABB-accredited?
No. AABB accreditation is voluntary in the United States, and many labs that offer DNA testing are not accredited for relationship testing. Confirm a lab's status by searching the AABB public directory before ordering a test intended for legal or immigration use.
How do I verify a lab's AABB status for a report that was issued in the past?
Email accreditation@aabb.org with the facility name, state, and the date the report was issued. AABB's accreditation office can confirm whether the facility held accreditation on that specific date and provide a written statement you can include in your filing.
What if a lab claims AABB accreditation but is not in the directory?
Ask the lab for a copy of its accreditation certificate with scope and effective dates. If it cannot produce one, or if the certificate does not match a current directory listing, treat the report as non-accredited and arrange a retest with a facility that appears in the AABB directory under the correct scope.
Does a collection-only AABB listing satisfy USCIS requirements?
No. A collection-only accreditation means the facility is authorized to gather samples under controlled conditions, not to perform the laboratory analysis. USCIS requires that the case be initiated with a facility accredited for relationship testing, which includes the testing and reporting activities.
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