AncestryDNA® Test Processing Time
Once you’ve decided to learn more about your genetic roots, then you’re probably eager to know how long it might take to get your results.
It usually takes six to eight weeks for AncestryDNA® to process your DNA after your saliva sample is received. However, the DNA sample processing time can vary, especially during high-volume periods, like after the holidays, because many people may have received an AncestryDNA kit as a gift.
Steps to Take Before AncestryDNA Can Process Your DNA Sample:
- Create a free Ancestry® account if you don't already have one.
- Sign in to your Ancestry account.
- Register your DNA kit. This will connect the DNA sample you send in to your Ancestry account. If a sample is mailed in but is not connected to an account, we don't know who the sample belongs to, and we cannot process the test.
What to Do While Waiting for Your DNA Test Results
If you also have a current membership to Ancestry®, you can start to fill out—or expand upon—a family tree during the DNA processing time. This can provide you with more ThruLines® results and potential common ancestors to explore once you get your DNA test results. If you don’t have an Ancestry membership, you can still build a family tree and even explore the extensive collection of records on Ancestry with a free 14-day trial.
Ancestry has billions of historical records worldwide. And Ancestry members have created more than 131 million family trees, some of which are public and may contain information about your ancestors. So there's a lot you can potentially discover in searching for your family history and stories in the Ancestry record collections.
Checking the Status of Your AncestryDNA Test
After you’ve registered your test, you can check the status of your DNA test results on your DNA homepage. Simply click the “DNA” tab at the top of any page on Ancestry. You’ll then see a “Your Results Summary” option as well as options for “Origins” (your ethnicity estimates) and “Matches,” plus others.
You can also sign up for email and text notifications about the status of your test.
What You Can Expect from Your AncestryDNA® Test Results
Your DNA test results can provide you with an abundance of interesting information. See how you can learn to read your ethnicity estimate as well as how to understand your DNA matches.
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