{"id":80853,"date":"2025-09-17T09:00:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T14:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/?p=80853"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:57:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T17:57:22","slug":"dna-kit-expiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/es\/dna-kit-expiration\/","title":{"rendered":"Does My FamilyTreeDNA Kit Expire?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”171656″]By: Katy-Rowe-Schurwanz<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been saving DNA kits for future family reunions or mystery cousins, here\u2019s everything you need to know before finally sending one in.<\/h2>\n

If you are an enthusiastic<\/em> genetic genealogist like me, you might have a bunch of unused DNA collection kits lying around your house. You never know when you\u2019ll run into that cousin you\u2019d love to test, or when there\u2019s going to be an impromptu family reunion, so you may keep a few<\/em> kits on hand.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”80855″ media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”60″ shadow=”yes” shadow_weight=”sm” lbox_caption=”yes” lbox_social=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”149149″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”112353″]Or maybe you need to send in a sample, but haven\u2019t gotten around to it yet.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”80854″ media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”60″ shadow=”yes” shadow_weight=”sm” lbox_caption=”yes” lbox_social=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”296896″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”104027″]<\/p>\n

Is there a point where a kit has been sitting around too long?<\/h2>\n

Is it going to expire before you find your long-lost 4th cousin whose DNA results will break your brick wall?<\/p>\n

There is nothing in the DNA collection kit itself that will expire or go bad.<\/strong> The materials (swabs, vials, buffer) need to last at least as long as the DNA inside the tubes \u2013 FamilyTreeDNA has stored unused samples, or swabs with DNA, at room temperature for over 25 years now.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s likely that the unused kit that\u2019s been sitting<\/strong> on the shelf in the living room or on the kitchen table is most likely still viable<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

How should I store an unused FamilyTreeDNA kit?<\/h2>\n

When you return your samples, one vial is sent to the lab<\/strong> for testing and the other to room-temperature storage<\/strong>, so it\u2019s best to store your extra kits at room temperature. Our lab director recommends avoiding storing unused kits in extreme temperatures.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Placing it in the mailbox for return in the peak of summer<\/strong> (we are located in Texas, after all\u2013 it\u2019s going to be hot here) or in the middle of winter is likely fine<\/strong> (it doesn\u2019t usually get that cold here, but we haven\u2019t noticed any problems), but avoid storing your extra kits in the garage, oven, furnace, deep freezer, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What should be included in my FamilyTreeDNA kit?<\/h2>\n

Things have changed over the years, so make sure you have a complete set of materials in your extra collection kits.<\/p>\n

Each DNA collection kit should include:<\/p>\n