Paternity Testing FAQs
The following articles are provided by organizations partnering with the American Pregnancy Association to deliver related information to you. The mention of specific products or services does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the APA unless it is explicitly stated.
1. What is the difference between an at-home test and an AABB-accredited test?
At-home tests are often called “peace of mind” or “curiosity” tests because while they can answer paternity questions, these test results may not be legally admissible in a court of law. Be particularly wary of the many $99 tests advertised online, as these tests often are poor quality and cannot be used for legal purposes, such as child support hearings, family court hearings and the like. An AABB-accredited test, provided by laboratories such as DNA Diagnostics Center, uses a strict chain of custody procedure that is required for results to be defensible in legal situations. Sample collection is performed by a professional, usually at a clinic or laboratory.
DNA Diagnostics Center is the only DNA testing laboratory in the world to obtain and uphold over 12 perfect inspections by industry accreditation bodies. It has received a commendation from the AABB for its Dual Process—DDC is the only laboratory to run every test twice for 100% accuracy. DDC has more locations across the United States and around the world than any other DNA services provider. Read more about DDC’s advantages by visiting their website at www.dnacenter.com.
2. What does the process of paternity testing involve?
After you have set up a case with a case manager, DDC takes care of the details. They will help you set up a convenient appointment at one of our collection sites. Because DDC has thousands of collection partners all over the country, we can collect DNA from an alleged father, mother or child who may live in different states. During your appointment, a simple cheek swab is all that is needed to obtain a sample of your DNA. This process takes just a few minutes and will be repeated for each person to be tested.
After all samples are collected, the cheek swabs are shipped to our lab where our scientists extract and analyze each sample twice to ensure accuracy and reliability in the results. We mail the results to all tested parties or the tested parties’ authorized reprentatives.
3. Can you do a paternity test before the baby is born?
Yes. If the mother is between 10 and 24 weeks pregnant, an OB-GYN can collect a DNA sample from the developing child through either chorionic villi sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. A CVS procedure is utilized from the 10th through 13th week, while an amniocentesis is used from the 14th through the 24th week of pregnancy. The baby's prenatal sample is then compared against the mother's and alleged father's DNA samples, which are collected using the standard buccal swabbing method. Because the procedures involving the mother and developing fetus are invasive, there are slight medical risks that the expectant mother must discuss with her health care professional.
If the mother is more than 24 weeks pregnant, she must wait until the baby is born to do a paternity test. However, a newborn infant can be swabbed any time following birth, so a paternity test can be started soon after delivery. For more information on prenatal paternity testing, click here.
4. How long does it take to get the results of a DNA paternity test from DDC?
A standard paternity test takes 3 business days to complete, once the laboratory has received all the tested parties’ samples. For prenatal paternity testing, testing will take 5 business days due to the non-standard sample type. If time is of the essence, we can overnight test results for an additional fee. Please call 1-800-798-0580 to discuss your express shipping options with one of our knowledgeable case managers.
5. How much does a paternity test cost?
The cost for paternity testing depends on the number of individuals available for testing and the type of sample collection that is required. Please visit www.dnacenter.com/testing-cost.html for a breakdown of DDC’s fee schedule. If you have any questions about the prices, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-798-0580.
6. Are payment plans available for DNA testing?
DDC offers flexible payment plans to individuals who need time to pay for their tests. To have a standard paternity test started, we only require a nonrefundable partial payment of $100. From there, we will do our best to accommodate your payment needs. Please note that your test results can only be released after the balance is paid in full. To discuss your payment options in more detail, please call one of our helpful case managers at 1-800-798-0580.
7. Can a paternity test be performed if the alleged father is missing or deceased?
Several testing options are available in situations where the alleged father is missing or deceased. The first option that should be considered is viability testing on a sample taken from the deceased, such as stored blood or a tissue sample. (This type of sample usually comes from a coroner's or medical examiner's office.) If usable DNA is found in the sample, we can conduct a paternity test using it as the alleged father's sample.
If no biological samples from the alleged father are available, grandparentage testing is the next option to consider. Both biological parents of the alleged father (the paternal grandparents) are required to participate in a grandparentage test. Results of this test prove only the relationship of the child to the grandparents, but many government offices treat these results as indirect evidence of paternity.
If one or both paternal grandparents are unavailable for testing, other family relationship tests--such as genetic reconstructions and siblingship tests--may be performed. Please call 1-800-798-0580 to discuss your situation with one of our caring and knowledgeable case managers.
8. There are two possible fathers, and they are related. Is this a problem for DDC?
If two possible fathers are related as full brothers, half brothers, or father and son, they may share many of the DNA markers used in paternity testing. This means that if proper precautions are not taken, both men could test positive as the child's biological father. DNA testing can be strong enough to determine paternity in a case involving related alleged fathers, but the laboratory must be aware of the situation before the testing process begins.
DDC offers two options for cases involving alleged fathers who are related:
Option 1: Test both alleged fathers, the child, and the mother at the same time. By comparing both alleged fathers' DNA profiles with the child's DNA profile, our expert laboratory staff can achieve accurate and conclusive test results. There is an added fee for the additional alleged father. Option 2: Test one alleged father with extended analysis. This option can be taken when only one of the alleged fathers is available for testing. To produce a conclusive result, we must perform extended testing and statistical analysis. There is an additional fee for the extended testing and analysis.
For more information about paternity testing with related alleged fathers, including the associated fees, call 1-800-798-0580 to discuss your case with one of DDC’s case managers.
9. Is a DNA paternity test necessary for an adoption?
Adoption laws vary by state. Some states require the birth father to sign a relinquisment form during the adoption process. Whether or not this is required, DDC often performs DNA testing for adoption cases in which there is doubt about the child’s paternity. Attorneys for these cases request paternity testing to prevent legal complications later in the adoptee’s life and also to expedite the adoption process.
10. Are my results confidential?
It is important to review a DNA testing company’s privacy policy and any consent forms you sign when taking a DNA test. DNA Diagnostics Center adheres to the strictest confidentiality standards in the DNA paternity testing industry. Results will not be disclosed over the phone or by email. Additionally, your case will not be discussed with anyone without your authorization. All DDC employees are bound by confidentiality and cannot discuss your case among themselves or with anyone outside of DDC. Finally, DDC uses high levels of security in its databases and online transactions, ensuring that you persoal and payment information is secure.