ICSA
DNA MATCHING FOR BIRTH PARENTS
Please convince ALL birth parents who come forward to do a DNA test! If they are not your match, they could match another adoptee, and it would be very sad for them to lose the chance to find one another. There have been many matches now that happened only through DNA.
There are two options for DNA testing. The SNP test (also called autosomal), like 23mofang or 23andMe, uploaded to GEDmatch is best, but not always an option. The STR (also called paternity/CODIS) test is most commonly available in China, but it will only match parent to child. A SNP test provides matches to siblings, cousins and beyond and casts a much wider net. Both options are FREE to the birth family and available anywhere in China.
Go here for more information on the different types of DNA tests, and download a pdf of the following guide here.
SNP DNA Test [also called autosomal]
ADOPTEE does a SNP DNA test as offered through 23andMe, with the results uploaded to GEDmatch.
BIRTH PARENT does a SNP test by contacting one of these organizations who will arrange to collect DNA and upload it to GEDmatch:
DNAConnect.Org. They will collect and process SNP DNA for FREE for any birth family that is located anywhere in China.
Contact DNAConnect
Download Chinese DNAConnect flier
BRIAN STUY (English-speaking)
Phone: +1-801-766-1736
LAN STUY (说中文/English)
WeChat ID: LannieGirl
Please note that DNAConnect charges to release birth parent contact information to adoptees – $50 if you make a donation before a match and $299 if made after a match (fees waived in 2022 under a pilot program ending Dec 31). However, if you provide contact information for a birth family in China, any future match to you through DNAConnect will also be free of fees to you.
Nanchang Project. They will collect and process SNP DNA for FREE for any birth family that is located anywhere in China.
Contact Nanchang Project
ERIN VALENTINO (English-speaking)
Email: hello@nanchangproject.com
WeChat ID: ErinValentino
The Roots of Love. They will collect and process SNP DNA for FREE for any birth family that is located anywhere in China.
Contact The Roots of Love
Email: info@therootsoflove.org
CORINNE WILSON (English- and French-speaking)
WeChat ID: corinnewilson
HOLLI CHAN (basic Mandarin- and basic Cantonese-speaking)
WeChat ID: jt6936697
^ Can accept phone calls
If you're traveling to China for a search trip, you can also take test kits with you, either FamilyTree DNA or 23andMe. Although 23andMe has the greatest number of adoptees in it, they don’t sell tests in China; however many families still use 23andMe kits for birth parent DNA and upload the kits themselves. You can also purchase a 23mofang kit available in China.
STR DNA Test [also called paternity/CODIS]
ADOPTEE does a STR test with LabCorp or DDC or other compatible testing service. See the STR section of this page for information about where to get these tests.
BIRTH PARENT does a STR test in China paid for by the Nanchang Project or The Roots of Love. These FREE tests are being offered for potential birth parents anywhere in China.
Contact Nanchang Project
Contact the Nanchang Project and explain that you have a
birth parent who wants a DNA test and ask if they can pay for
the test. They will send the money to the lab in the birth parent's name.
ERIN VALENTINO (English-speaking)
Email: hello@nanchangproject.com
WeChat ID: ErinValentino
Contact The Roots of Love
Email: info@therootsoflove.org
CORINNE WILSON (English- and French-speaking)
WeChat ID: corinnewilson
HOLLI CHAN (basic Mandarin- and basic Cantonese-speaking)
WeChat ID: jt6936697
^ Can accept phone calls
If you test a birth family, it is very important that you or your searcher commit to remaining in touch so that contact information can be provided to an adoptee down the road. Please also add the birth family's information and photos to the ICSA birth parent database.