Journey Genetic Testing 1-855-362-5224

How To Make Your Own DNA Kit

Let’s Get Started

Here are step-by-step instructions, and a list of what you need, to make your own DNA kit (MYOK). You don’t need special consent forms for us to be able to test your samples. Once you have everything done, and the test you want to do ordered, you can just send them to us.

Types Of Tests You Can Use The Make Your Own DNA Kit (MYOK) Option

Any of our DNA tests that are not going to be used in court can be done using the MYOK option. Paternity, sibling test, and grandparent DNA tests are the most common. Allow the swabs a MINIMUM of 1 hour to dry. Place the swab somewhere clean, ensuring that the end of the swab is not touching anything else (for e.g. standing upright in a glass with cotton-end in the air). When they are dry, place the swabs into the paper envelope.

Sometimes you may not want to wait for a kit to arrive in the mail, or don’t want anything coming to your home. That’s why we want you to know about this choice for DNA testing. This is also a great choice if you want to send in something different from a mouth swab to test. We can test toothbrushes, nail clippings, cigarette butts, and lots of other things. If you want to see a list of things we suggest, please click on Alternative DNA Samples.

Make Your Own DNA Kit Instructions

First, a couple of items to be aware of. We suggest not eating or smoking for about 30 minutes before you collect DNA. In order to get the best sample, a clean mouth is suggested – just rinse with water – but no toothpaste or mouthwash please. Finally, do NOT touch the tip of the swab at any time, even to see if it is dry.

Follow These Steps

  1. You will need 4 sterile cotton-tipped swabs for each person. Regular cotton swabs, like “Q-Tips”, work fine. You don’t need a special brand, and even the ones from a dollar store work great. If the swab has cotton at both ends, cut one of the ends off. This will leave the shaft and one cotton top. It is important not to touch the cotton end with your fingers.
  2. Next, you will also need a paper envelope for each person. This is where you will put the cotton swabs after samples have been collected.
  3. Write on the outside of the envelope the case number you were emailed after your order. Also write the name of the person whose DNA is going into the envelope. The name must match exactly what you listed on the order form. Finally, write the possible relationship we are going to test for: suspected father, child, sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle, twin, etc.
  4. Using one of the clean swabs, rub the cotton end of the swab along your cheek, gums, and behind your lips also. You should do this for about 20–30 seconds per person. Remember, you are collecting cheek cells and not saliva. It is best if you so rub against the inside of the cheek. Do this with 4 swabs for each person, two on the right cheek and two on the left cheek.
  5. Let the swabs dry. We want to avoid having a wet swab soaking through the paper envelope. When it’s dry, just put the swabs into the paper envelope.
  6. When you are done, just put all the envelopes with the swabs into a larger envelope. You can now send it to our lab for processing.