Timeline
If you've returned your AncestryDNA® sample, here's what you can expect:
- Right away: If you haven't registered your DNA kit (entering the code from the kit into your account on Ancestry®), register it now. When the laboratory receives your kit, they'll only begin processing once it's been registered.
- Within 5 weeks: You’ll get an email saying we’ve received your sample. At this point, you can start tracking the status of your results from your DNA homepage.
- Within 6 weeks (of the date we receive your sample): In most cases, your results should be available on your DNA homepage. When they're ready, you’ll get an email letting you know.
Take me there
If you mailed your sample...
- more than 5 weeks ago and we haven't received your sample;
- or more than 6 weeks have passed after receiving an email confirming we received your sample and you can't find your results,
...make sure your kit is registered and you're signed in to the right Ancestry account. If you still have trouble, please contact us.
What to do while you’re waiting
Start a family tree. Having a tree on Ancestry can help you discover how you’re related to your DNA matches. The more people you add to your tree, the better. Once you have your DNA results, you can link your tree to your DNA results and begin connecting AncestryDNA® matches to your tree.
Check out the hints. Once you add a few people to your tree, you’ll start seeing leaves appear. Every leaf is a hint. Hints can lead to new discoveries in records and other people’s family trees.
Search our free databases. Find free records to help you build your family tree.
Start a free trial. You don’t need an Ancestry membership to view your DNA results, but a membership could help you make more discoveries. To learn more, see AncestryDNA® and Memberships.
Watch how-to videos from Ancestry Academy. Check out these brief informational videos to learn a wealth of information about family history research.
