All saliva samples are inspected and must pass certain tests to continue being processed. If a sample doesn’t pass the quality checks at any point, you may be offered a free replacement kit to submit a new sample. For tips on providing the best saliva sample, see collecting a saliva sample.

Common reasons a sample may fail

• Cap problems that result in a loss of saliva in transit. This can happen if the cap is installed incorrectly or not screwed on tightly enough.
• The blue stabilizing solution did not mix well enough with the saliva sample.
• Too much or too little saliva provided
• Contamination (something other than human saliva and stabilizing liquid in the collection tube), including:
  • bacteria
  • food particles
  • denture cream
  • toothpaste
  • chewing tobacco
  • hair
  • fingernail clippings
  • swabs
• A collection tube containing DNA from more than one person. This can happen if multiple people spit into the same tube or if the recipient of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant (if the donor is another person) submits a saliva sample. In the case of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, the results may be inconclusive or reflect the donor’s DNA instead of the participant’s DNA.
• Sub-optimal or highly degraded DNA

Occasionally, samples may also fail quality control during the testing stage at the laboratory due to issues unrelated to the sample collection.

FAQs

Non-saliva DNA samples
We only accept DNA samples in the form of saliva. We cannot extract DNA from swabs, blood, hair, urine, or anything besides saliva.

Difficulty producing enough saliva
If you have difficulty producing enough saliva in one try, add a little saliva into the tube and refrigerate it until you can add more. Repeat until your saliva reaches the line on the tube. For more tips on providing the best saliva sample, see collecting a saliva sample.

Shipping in hot or cold weather
Shipping the saliva sample back in extremely hot or cold temperatures should be fine, but if your sample fails at the laboratory for any reason, you may be offered a free replacement kit.

Stabilizing fluid doesn’t drain into the bottom of the tube
If you close the tube and the stabilizing fluid doesn’t release into the bottom, carefully try loosening and re-screwing the cap tighter until the stabilizing fluid drains into the bottom of the tube.

Old kit or sample
If you have an older kit you haven’t used yet, or if you mixed your sample with stabilizing fluid a while ago but haven’t sent it back, complete the steps to register your kit and return your sample. AncestryDNA® kits can last a long time, and the stabilizing fluid preserves your DNA, so your sample should be viable if your saliva is mixed with the stabilizing fluid. If we cannot extract enough DNA from your sample to meet our quality standards, we'll replace the kit at no cost.

What if I don’t want to submit another sample after my test fails?
Please contact us.