DNA testing is increasingly being used to obtain citizenship in various countries as individuals use genetic ancestry results to support their applications. This trend is particularly evident in Europe, where people are using DNA evidence to trace their ancestry and gain access to new citizenship opportunities. Read more
In Europe, DNA testing is increasingly being used to gain citizenship of various countries, and since the introduction of genetic genealogy testing in 2000, over 40 million people worldwide have researched their ancestry through companies such as Ancestry, 23andMe and MyHeritagem.
As The Guardian reports, experts have noted a new trend of individuals using DNA test results to apply for citizenship. Professor Tuli King, director of the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, explained in the report that as more people discover their ancestry and biological connections, they are using this information to apply for citizenship in different countries.
She expects ancestry DNA testing to become a more common way for Britons to gain dual citizenship.
For example, people seeking Irish citizenship have begun using DNA evidence to support their applications, a practice confirmed by a spokesperson for the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, who said such evidence is now accepted for passport applications.
Richard Sayers, who appeared on the BBC show DNA Family Secrets, used DNA evidence to track down his biological father and successfully obtained an Irish passport, which allowed him to emigrate to Spain and fulfil his dream of living abroad.
Similarly, former Olympian Sara Claxton used DNA testing to connect with her American father and is now applying for US citizenship. Her case highlights how DNA testing is bridging the gap between personal identity and family ties.
As more people turn to DNA testing to trace their roots, legal experts like Louisa Gevaert are seeing an uptick in inquiries about renewing birth certificates and applying for citizenship.
Gevaert said the motivations for these applications were varied, including personal inheritances, claims of inheritance rights and, particularly in light of Brexit, the pursuit of EU citizenship.
