More people every day are discovering unexpected news about their parentage as a result of consumer DNA tests. As a licensed and certified genetic counselor specializing in ancestry testing, I have more and more people reach out to me wondering could it be true my dad’s not my dad? If so, then who IS?

Here’s some advice I’ve gathered for those who are considering or already have involved DNA testing in an adoption-related search.

Are you hoping to locate biological family via records search, DNA testing, or possibly both?

I recently received a message from someone who made an unexpected discovery of a new family member after doing DNA testing.

I have people reach out through my website who are adopted or donor conceived and are at the very start of a search, asking where do I even start? It can be overwhelming trying to learn all of the ins and outs of searching whether using access to records or DNA testing.