Ordering a Test

  1. How do I order a kit? faq id: 2102
  2. How do I pay for an order? faq id: 2103
  3. What is Family Tree DNA’s standard shipping method? faq id: 2105
  4. How much does standard shipping at Family Tree DNA cost? faq id: 2106
  5. Do you offer expedited shipping? How much does it cost? faq id: 2107
  6. I just placed my order. How long will it take the kit to reach me? faq id: 2109
  7. Does Family Tree DNA ship internationally? faq id: 2110
  8. How much does standard international shipping at Family Tree DNA cost? faq id: 2111
  9. What countries require special handling when Family Tree DNA ships a kit or kits to them? faq id: 2112
  10. What countries require special handling when customers return kits to Family Tree DNA? faq id: 2113
  11. Can I change my test before it is sent to the lab? faq id: 2114
  12. My kit was lost in the mail. What do I do? faq id: 2115
  13. I lost my kit. What do I do? faq id: 2116
  14. Is a certificate included with my test? faq id: 2117
  15. How do I order a certificate of the results? faq id: 2118
  16. I tested at another company, do I need to take a new test with Family Tree DNA? May I transfer in my results? faq id: 2119
  17. If I order multiple kits at the same time, will your combine the shipping costs? faq id: 2121
  18. When I order an upgrade, do you need a new sample? How will I know if you are sending a new kit? faq id: 2122
  19. What are weekly test batches? When do batches close? faq id: 2188

Questions and Answers

  1. How do I order a kit? faq id: 2102

    Once you have chosen a test, you can place your order through the Family Tree DNA website. You have the option of ordering directly or through one of our volunteer run projects.*

    To order through a project, go to the Family Tree DNA Project Index page, http://www.familytreedna.com/projects.aspx. The projects are listed by type and the first letter of the project name. If the group pre-screens members, you will have to submit a join request to the project administrator. The project administrator will then contact you with directions for ordering a kit through the project if you are accepted into the group.

    To order directly through our website, go to the Family Tree DNA Product page, http://www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx.

    *Although you do not have to join a project to test at Family Tree DNA, we provide a discount to those who do.

  2. How do I pay for an order? faq id: 2103

    We offer two options. You can pay by credit card or by invoice.* You may choose one during the order process.

    Invoices may be paid with US check, US money order, or credit card. Note though that we will process tests only after we receive payment.

    *Invoice ordering is not available to some international locations.

  3. What is Family Tree DNA’s standard shipping method? faq id: 2105

    For domestic orders, Family Tree DNA uses USPS first class shipping.

  4. How much does standard shipping at Family Tree DNA cost? faq id: 2106

    There is combined shipping and handling charge of $5.00 US for test kits within the United States.

  5. Do you offer expedited shipping? How much does it cost? faq id: 2107

    Yes, once you have placed your order, you may request that it be shipped to you by Federal Express with either next day or three day shipping. For domestic orders, next day shipping is $25 US and three day shipping is $15 US. International prices varry. To upgrade shipping, please use the feedback form to contact customer service. Include your kit number.*

    *Your kit number was included in the e-mail we sent you after you placed your on-line order.

  6. I just placed my order. How long will it take the kit to reach me? faq id: 2109

    Once you have ordered, we mail kits first class the next business day from our office in Houston, Texas. For orders within the United States, United States Postal Service transit time for first class mail is usually 3 to 5 business days. However, depending on your location, it may be as much as 10 business days. International orders can take several weeks to arrive.

  7. Does Family Tree DNA ship internationally? faq id: 2110

    Yes, we ship kits to most international locations. Standard shipping is by USPS First-Class Mail International. There are some countries where shipping requires special processing. These are Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. There are two countries whose customs restrictions prevent us from shipping to them. They are Sudan and Iran.

  8. How much does standard international shipping at Family Tree DNA cost? faq id: 2111

    The charge for standard shipping to most international locations is $7.00 US.

  9. What countries require special handling when Family Tree DNA ships a kit or kits to them? faq id: 2112

    The table below shows the countries where we know there are potential issues that require special handling. Please do not hesitate though to contact us before ordering to confirm that we have shipped successfully to your location.

    Country Customs Disclaimer Delays During Shipping Federal Express International Recommended Approximate Federal Express Price (Up to 4 Kits)
    Brazil Yes - - $45 US
    Mexico Sometimes Yes - -
    Japan Seldom Yes - -
    Russia Seldom Yes - $75 US
    Saudi Arabia Seldom Yes Yes $55 US

  10. What countries require special handling when customers return kits to Family Tree DNA? faq id: 2113

    We are aware that in some or all cases the following countries will at least part of the time require special handling when customers return kits.

    • Brazil
    • Mexico
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • Saudi Arabia

    We have prepared the forms and disclaimers you will need to return your kit. Please contact us for copies. If you discover that you need a special form or disclaimer related to returning your test kit from another location, please contact us.

  11. Can I change my test before it is sent to the lab? faq id: 2114

    Yes, please use our feedback form to contact customer service. They will need the kit number and test type to add/change.

    We will issue a refund if the original test was paid for and the new test amount is less than the original. We will send a new invoice or payment link if the new test price is greater than the original.

  12. My kit was lost in the mail. What do I do? faq id: 2115

    If your kit has been lost in the mail, please use our feedback form to contact customer service. Include your kit number* in the message. We will have a replacement kit sent to you the next business day.

    *Your kit number was included in the e-mail we sent you after you placed your on-line order.

  13. I lost my kit. What do I do? faq id: 2116

    Should you accidentally misplace or destroy your kit, please use our feedback form to contact customer service. Include your kit number,* and we will have a new kit sent to you the next business day.

    *Your kit number was included in the e-mail we sent you after you placed your on-line order.

  14. Is a certificate included with my test? faq id: 2117

    Yes, you can print a certificate from your myFTDNA account for FREE. If you want us to mail you a certificate, you may place the certificate order by logging into your myFTDNA account and selecting the Order Upgrades link in the menu bar.

    Each printed certificate order has a charge of $10 US for S&H. We only accept credit card payment for certificate orders.

  15. How do I order a certificate of the results? faq id: 2118

    You can print a certificate from your myFTDNA account for FREE. If, however, you would like us to ship you a certificate, we will do so. To order:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Order Upgrades on the myFTDNA Menu bar.
    3. Scroll to the Order Certificates button.
    4. Click it and follow the ordering instructions.

    Each certificate has a charge of $10 US for S&H. We only accept credit card payment for certificate orders.

  16. I tested at another company, do I need to take a new test with Family Tree DNA? May I transfer in my results? faq id: 2119

    Family Tree DNA currently offers the following retesting and transfer options:

    Note: Family Tree DNA does not at this time offer autosomal DNA Transfers for Ancestry.com's autosomal DNA test.

  17. If I order multiple kits at the same time, will your combine the shipping costs? faq id: 2121

    No, our shipping and handling cost covers the materials in the test kit, the time to prepare it, and the actual shipping fee whether domestic or international. Therefore, each kit has a standard Shipping and Handling fee added.

  18. When I order an upgrade, do you need a new sample? How will I know if you are sending a new kit? faq id: 2122

    Most of the time, the DNA extracted from your original test kit is enough for any upgrade you order. When you have paid in full for the upgrade and the weekly batch has closed, your order is added to the cue for lab processing. Should the lab discover that a new sample is needed, you will be sent a new kit.

  19. What are weekly test batches? When do batches close? faq id: 2188

    Family Tree DNA's Genomic Research Center lab in Houston, TX begins processes tests in weekly batches. Batches are numbered sequentially. Lab processing begins the next business day after a batch closes.

    If a test is your first at Family Tree DNA, the lab begins processing your kit the next business day after the batch closes. If you have ordered a new test or an upgrade, the lab begins processing that test the next business day after the batch closes. Usually, batches are closed on Wednesdays. However, we may close a batch early to accommodate lab staffing during sales and United States holidays.

    Note: Individual tests may take a greater or a lesser amount of time to complete than other tests in the same batch. You should check your myFTDNA account for an estimated time to completion date after we have batched your test.