• Once you receive the kit, create your account at status.africanancestry.com
• Activate your kit (using the unique activation code provided in your kit) so that we know it is yours.

• Follow the Instruction Card to swab the inside of your cheek.
• Mail the swabs back to our lab in the postage-paid packaging provided. International customers will need to replace the label with their own postage.
• You will receive your results via email typically within 8-12 weeks of the lab receiving your swabs. During the holiday season, please allow 10-12 weeks due to the high volume of samples we're processing. We'll also send you updates along the way!

You can track the progress of your sample online by logging into your account at status.africanancestry.com

Please visit https://africanancestry.com/how-it-works to learn more.

The U.S. Postal Service typically takes 5-7 business days to deliver your package to the lab. Due to Covid-19, the Postal Service has been experiencing significant delays of up to 14 days.

In rare cases (due to high volume, weather, or other delays) or from outside the lower 48 US states, the Postal Service can take longer than 14 days. Unfortunately, we cannot control this part of the process.

We encourage you to copy the tracking number from the label on your return envelope. That allows you to track its shipping.

You will receive an email update when the lab has received your swabs and you can track the process by logging into status.africanancestry.com

Please note that you can choose to return your swabs to the address on the packaging using the method of your choice, at your expense, like Priority Mail or Fedex.

If the USPS has lost your package, or you find it has been longer than 14 days since its tracking last updated, please let us know. We will send replacement swab to collect a new sample. If we happen to receive the original sample in the meantime, we will be sure to let you know. We are here to help.

Your Unique Activation Code is on the Activation Card that is enclosed in your kit (see image below).

Activating your kit is required. It is a crucial part of the process. It allows us to protect your identity and associate your information with your swabs. Because it is so important, we make it quick and easy to find your activation code. The activation information is on the opposite side of the Instruction Card. Both numbers are unique to you are required to activate your kit online at status.africanancestry.com

Important Note:

If you ordered multiple kits, you will have an activation code for each kit. We recommend completing the entire process from activation to swabbing for one kit before moving to the next kit. This can help you avoid switching the activation codes for the samples.

It's OK—you can still activate it! However, your swabs will not be processed by the lab until the kit is activated.

First, if you have the Activation Code (16 digits/letters), you can still activate the kit using the instructions on the card.

If you're unable to activate your kit or are having trouble doing so, please email us at info@africanancestry.com with all of the following information:

• The Activation Code – 16 digits/letters
• The Kit ID - it's 7 digits and starts with “10”
• Your Order Number

This will help us resolve your issue most quickly.

You received your kit tracking information in the confirmation email once your order shipped. Kits ordered within the U.S. should arrive within 7-14 days, depending on the shipping address location. If you feel that you have been waiting longer, please email us at info@africanancestry.com, and provide us with the following information:

• Your full name
• Your email address
• Your order number

Yes, once the kit has been activated, you can track your return shipment on your account on status.africanancestry.com. Once your swabs arrive at our lab, they will be scanned and you will be notified by email. When your analysis is completed and packaged, we will email the result to you.

International shipments will only display tracking information while they are within the U.S. Once they are picked up by the new carrier, tracking updates may vary. If your order does not arrive within 14-21 business days, please email us at info@africanancestry.com, and we will work to get additional information for you about your shipment.

African Ancestry Family Reunion Tours are 100% non-refundable. We must receive your cancellation notice in writing by email, fax or overnight courier, and your cancellation date will be the date on which we receive your notice.

If we receive your cancellation notice forty-five (45) days or more from the Tour departure date, we will credit eighty percent (80%) of the Tour price towards another Tour that takes place within 12 months.

If we receive your cancellation notice forty-four (44) days or fewer prior to the departure date, we will retain one hundred percent (100%) of the Tour price.

We'll keep you posted and send you updates as your swabs are processed and analyzed, and finally when the result is ready! You can always log in to your African Ancestry account to view the progress as well. On your profile, you will see what stage the sample is in.

Due to the current high volume, it may take 10-12 weeks to receive results once we receive your result at the lab.

We thoroughly check every result in our quality assurance pipeline. African Ancestry’s tests are the most specific genetic single lineage analyses commercially available for people of African descent. The full process to extract the DNA, identify your DNA markers, and analyze the markers against the extensive African Ancestry database is done in a very deliberate and careful manner.

We cannot guarantee an exact delivery date because we spend the necessary amount of time in order to provide you with the most specific information, and the best service.

We will email your results as soon as your analysis is complete and verified. Moreover, you can visit the dashboard in your account to see where your swabs are in their process.

If your test kit order has not shipped, you can receive a full refund.

If your test kit order has shipped, you can receive a refund of the purchase price, less shipping and handling. If you have already submitted your swabs, you cannot receive a refund.