How to Collect and Return Your Report Shop DNA Sample

Your Report Shop DNA kit is an at-home cheek swab. The steps differ depending on whether you are in the US, so find your section below.

Before you collect: do not eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth or chew gum for at least 1 hour beforehand. If you forget, email support@selfdecode.com to buy a replacement kit rather than sending in a sample that may not be readable.

US customers

1. Follow the instructions in your kit to collect your cheek cell samples.

2. Place the samples in the biohazard bag, then into the return envelope.
3. Use the prepaid return label included with your kit to mail the sample back to our lab.
4. Your results will be ready within 2-3 weeks after delivery to the lab. We will email you when they are available.

Customers outside the US

1. Scan the QR code on your kit box, or visit selfdecode.com/en/instructions for detailed collection instructions.

2. Insert the swab into the clear plastic bag, then fold the top over and seal the bag with the barcode sticker provided in your kit.

The barcode sticker is essential. Without it the lab has no way to identify your sample, and you will need to buy a replacement kit.

3. Place the sealed bag into the mailer envelope.
4. Request your prepaid return label at registerdnakit.com/request-return-label. You will need the barcode from your DNA sample — no account or login is required. Your label arrives by email within 1–3 business days.
5. Mail your sample back to us using that label.
6. Your results will be ready within 2-3 weeks after delivery to the lab. We will email you when they are available.

Note: we are unable to provide return labels for some countries at this time. See our list of countries without return labels.

Does my kit or sample expire?

There is no rush, but do not leave it indefinitely.

Once a sample is collected and sealed correctly, the DNA in it stays good for up to 15 years at normal room temperature — no refrigeration needed.

A cold, a recent COVID-19 infection, antibiotics and other medications do not affect your DNA results.

Still need help?

Get in touch and we’ll pick it up from there. Our team is around seven days a week, and most messages get a reply within a few hours.