How to Order FREE At-Home COVID-19 Tests
from the Government

The tests are completely free—there are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number or health insurance information to request tests. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering through the U.S. Postal Service. USPS reports shipping times of 1-3 days for its first-class package service in the continental United States. 

The federal government has secured more than 420 million tests for distribution through covidtests.gov already, with plans to increase the order to 1 billion tests in the coming weeks. All of the tests supplied will be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and are capable of detecting the more-transmissible omicron variant of COVID-19, which is the dominant strain in the U.S. While they are packaged differently and may use slightly different procedures, officials said, the test mechanisms of detection and effectiveness are generally the same. All tests will come with detailed instructions.

Plans include a free “call line to help those unable to access the website to place orders.” Check back to see if website updates with specific time details and phone number.

BEWARE OF SCAMS: You do NOT have to provide credit card or health insurance information. Tests are FREE with ZERO costs. Be certain you are ordering from the official website covidtests.gov (note the .gov to verify it’s a government website)

Visit covidtests.gov