If you received AncestryDNA® as a gift, congratulations! You're on your way to learning the unique story of your DNA. To learn what your results will entail, see What to Expect from AncestryDNA®.
Follow the steps below to get started.
- Create a free Ancestry® account or sign in: Each adult must register their kit on their own account. If you don’t have an Ancestry account, you can create one for free. You don't need an Ancestry® membership to see your AncestryDNA results, but a membership could help you make more discoveries. To learn more, see AncestryDNA® and Memberships.
- Register your kit: The test tube in your DNA kit has a 15-digit code printed on it. This code is how we connect your sample to your Ancestry account. Before (or shortly after) returning your saliva sample, register your DNA kit using this code.
- Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum or tobacco for thirty minutes before collecting your sample. Fill the tube to the black line. Bubbles in saliva can extend above the line, but the bottom of the bubbles should be at the line. Twist the cap on tightly, making sure the blue stabilizing liquid in the cap drops into the saliva. Shake the tube for a few seconds to mix the blue liquid and saliva together.
- Return your sample: Put the tube in the storage bag, put the bag in the return mailer, and put the mailer in the mail. Return postage was included in the original purchase. If you registered your kit, you'll receive an email within 3 weeks confirming that the laboratory has received your kit.
- View your results: In most cases, within 6 weeks of the date we receive your sample, your results should appear under the DNA tab of your Ancestry account. You won’t receive test results in the mail.
- Share your results: Share your results with anyone you’d like, or invite someone to manage your test. When you share your results or assign a manager, your results will appear on both your Ancestry account and theirs.
For information about giving the gift of AncestryDNA®, see Gifting a DNA Kit.
