How to Join the Illinois Family Roots Program
Step-by-step guide to joining the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program
Important: Account Required
You must have already created your TAKiR account before proceeding with these steps. If you haven't created an account yet, please complete Step 1: Create Your TAKiR Account first.
You will also need:
- A clear photo of yourself (selfie) ready to upload
- A photo of your Illinois driver's license or state ID
01 Click Manage Programs
After successfully creating your TAKiR account, you'll be on the My Account page. Click the blue "Manage Programs" button to view available programs.
If you don't see the Manage Programs button, make sure you've completed all account setup steps including demographics. Try refreshing the page.
02 View Eligible Programs
You'll see a list of programs you're eligible for. Look for the "Family Roots Program" and click the "View Details" button next to it.
The Family Roots program should be listed if you're an Illinois resident. If not visible, check that your demographics show Illinois as your state.
03 Join the Program
Review the program information. You'll see that ID verification is required. Click the green "Join Program" button to proceed with enrollment.
This is a free program for Illinois residents. No payment should be required.
04 Upload Your Selfie
You'll need to verify your identity. First, upload a clear selfie photo:
Select Photo Method
Choose "Upload Photo" option. Select a clear, well-lit photo of yourself with your entire face visible.
Use JPG or PNG format (max 5MB). No filters or editing allowed.
Upload Selfie
After selecting your selfie file, click the green "Upload Selfie Photo" button.
Ensure the file name appears in the field before clicking upload.
05 Upload Your Government ID
Next, upload a photo of your government-issued ID:
ID Upload Instructions
Select a clear photo of your driver's license or state ID. All text must be readable.
Use JPG or PNG format (max 5MB). No blurry or distorted photos.
Select and Upload ID
Choose your ID photo file and click "Upload ID Document". If you forget to select a file, you'll see an error message.
Make sure the file is selected before clicking upload.
06 Submit for Review
Once both documents are uploaded successfully, you'll see a confirmation. Click the "Submit for Review" button to send your verification for processing.
The system will automatically verify your documents. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes. You'll receive an email notification once the verification is complete.
07 Choose How to Get Your Kit
After approval, you have two options for getting your DNA kit:
Option 1: Request by Mail - Click "Request Mail Delivery" to have it sent to your Illinois address.
Option 2: Pick Up at an Event - You can attend a TAKiR event to get your kit in person. You can pick up a kit at an event until your Kit Tracker (on My Account page) shows a shipped date.
If requesting by mail, verify your Illinois address is correct. For events, check the TAKiR website for upcoming locations.
Process Complete!
Congratulations! You've completed the enrollment process. If you requested a kit by mail, check your Kit Tracker on the My Account page to see when your status changes to "Shipping". After it shows "Shipping", wait 5-7 business days for delivery. Once you receive your kit, you can register it and follow the DNA test instructions.
Next Steps:
Watch for "Shipping" status on My Account page
5-7 days after "Shipping" status
Follow the instructions in your kit
08 Register Your Kit (If You Already Have One)
If you already received a kit from an event or pickup location, click "Register Kit" and enter your barcode:
Enter Your Barcode
Click the "Register Kit" button and enter the barcode from your kit.
The barcode is on the tube inside your kit. Keep the kit sealed until ready to use.
Need Help Finding Barcode?
If you can't locate your barcode, click the "Need Help Finding Barcode?" link for detailed instructions with photos.
The barcode is usually a series of numbers and letters on a label attached to the collection tube.