Legal Paternity Testing | IDTO DNA Services
Are you an unmarried parent looking to establish the paternity of a child for the purpose of adding an alleged father’s name to a birth certificate? A Legal Paternity Test can help determine whether the alleged father is biologically related to the child and provide documentation that may be used for birth certificate amendments, family court child support and child custody issues, immigration cases, and other legally related situations.
Legal Paternity Testing is a relationship DNA test used to determine whether an alleged father and child are biologically related. All DNA samples are tested and analyzed by our partner AABB-accredited laboratory. This accreditation helps ensure a strict chain-of-custody process, with DNA samples collected by an unbiased third-party collector and participant identities verified at the time of collection.
IDTO DNA has more than 22 years of experience providing relationship DNA testing services nationwide. Our focus is to provide fast, accurate, and reliable Legal Paternity Testing while maintaining professional communication throughout the entire process. We help clients avoid confusion, unnecessary delays, and weeks of uncertainty by providing clear guidance before, during, and after the DNA testing process.
How much does a legal paternity test cost?
Legal paternity testing starts at $375. Please note: sample collection fees are additional and vary by location. Learn more about legal paternity testing costs here.
Where can I get a legal paternity test done?
Contact our office today at 888-204-0583 to schedule your paternity testing appointment.
IDTO DNA has over 3,000 DNA sample collection sites nationwide located near most major cities, making the appointment process fast, convenient, and accessible for families throughout the United States. Below are areas we service.
What do I need to bring to my DNA sample collection appointment?
All participants involved in the DNA test must present valid government-issued identification at the time of sample collection. This requirement applies to both legal and non-legal DNA testing services performed at our office or at a mobile collection appointment.
If you are a New York State resident, you must provide one of the following items in addition to your identification:
- A court order requesting DNA testing.
- A prescription from a New York State-licensed physician.
- A letter from a New York State-licensed attorney requesting DNA testing.
Children under the age of 18 who do not have government-issued identification may use a birth certificate, passport, or other acceptable form of identification. All adults participating in a legal DNA test must present valid government-issued photo identification at the time of collection.
What method will be used to collect my DNA?
The standard DNA sample collection method is performed using a cheek swab collection. Buccal swab DNA collection is painless, non-invasive, and highly accurate for paternity DNA testing.
Blood sample collections are available in certain situations, though this collection method is more invasive and typically unnecessary for most relationship DNA tests.
Can alternative DNA specimens be used for legal testing?
Yes. In certain circumstances, alternative DNA specimens such as hair follicles or forensic bone samples may be accepted for legal paternity testing when accompanied by a court order and approved by the laboratory.
To maintain legally admissible results, forensic samples must remain under a documented chain of custody. In most cases, the sample must be retained and released by a coroner’s office, hospital, funeral home, or other authorized third-party institution. Samples submitted directly by private individuals generally do not meet legal chain-of-custody requirements.
Contact one of our DNA Consultants at 888-204-0583 to discuss your specific situation and available testing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to receive my DNA results?
The turnaround time for results is 2 to 3 business days from the date the laboratory receives all DNA samples. Upon the completion of your analysis, a copy of your results will be mailed to your home and an additional copy will be emailed to you.
Is legal paternity testing accurate?
Yes. Legal paternity testing is highly accurate because the laboratory compares specific genetic markers inherited from biological parents. When proper chain-of-custody procedures and accredited laboratory testing standards are followed, DNA testing provides highly reliable results.
All legal DNA tests are performed through our partner AABB-accredited laboratory. This accreditation helps ensure the DNA test results are recognized by family courts, immigration agencies, and government institutions nationwide.
Our partner laboratory analyzes between 18 and 22 genetic markers during the paternity testing process to determine the probability of a biological relationship. Inclusion results commonly produce a probability of paternity of 99.99% or higher.
In exclusion cases, additional extended DNA analysis may be performed using up to 27 genetic markers to help determine whether the tested individuals are biologically unrelated.
Does the mother of the child have to be present in order to perform a legal paternity test?
Not always. Whether the mother must be present depends on the circumstances of the case and the legal rights of the parties involved.
For married fathers, the mother is generally not required to be present in order to perform a legal paternity test. For unmarried fathers whose name appears on the child’s birth certificate, the mother may not need to be present; however, her permission may still be required in certain situations.
It is important to note that a judge or magistrate may limit an alleged father’s legal rights regarding custody, visitation, or decision-making authority. In those circumstances, the mother may be required to participate or provide consent before a DNA test can be performed on a child under the age of 18.
Although the mother is not always required to participate, we strongly recommend her involvement whenever possible. The mother’s DNA helps the laboratory exclude the maternal contribution to the child’s DNA, which may strengthen the laboratory’s analysis and provide additional genetic information for comparison.
When paternity is being established through family court, the court will often request the mother’s participation in the DNA testing process. For this reason, involving the mother from the beginning may help improve efficiency and avoid unnecessary delays.
Can a legal DNA paternity test be performed if the father is unavailable?
Yes. However, the answer depends on why the alleged father is unavailable.
When the alleged father is deceased, a legal paternity test may still be possible if a qualifying DNA sample is available through a coroner’s office, hospital, medical examiner’s office, or funeral home and can be released under a documented chain of custody. In these circumstances, the laboratory may be able to perform legal DNA testing.
When the alleged father cannot be located or is living in another state or country, alternative testing options may be available. Depending on the circumstances, a legal family reconstruction DNA test involving grandparents, siblings, or other biological relatives may help establish biological relatedness.
The type of legal proceeding involved may affect which testing option is acceptable. For matters involving child support, inheritance, or birth certificate amendments, we recommend consulting a family law attorney regarding the requirements in your state before proceeding with DNA testing.
What is the difference between legal and home paternity testing?
The difference between a non-legal and a legal paternity test lies in the use of the results.
Non-legal DNA test results are for informational purposes only. Establishing a chain of custody is not necessary for non-legal testing.
Legal paternity DNA tests require a strict chain of custody. A third-party DNA sample collector must collect the samples, and the DNA samples must be tested and analyzed by an AABB-accredited laboratory. Legal DNA test results may be used for court proceedings, birth certificate changes, child support matters, immigration cases, and other legal purposes.
Please note, standard legal paternity testing can be used for most legal situations but if you require a legal immigration paternity testing visit our page here.
Unsure which testing option is right for you? Call 888-204-0583 to speak with one of our DNA Consultants to get the answers you need today.
Do I need a court order to perform a DNA test?
No, you do not need a court order to perform a DNA test. Court orders are commonly used when the parties disagree about paternity or when one party is unwilling to participate in DNA testing.
When both the alleged father and the mother acknowledge the testing and agree to participate, a legal paternity test can generally move forward without a court order. The results can then be used for legal purposes, including family court proceedings and other matters that require legally admissible DNA test results.
Can a prenatal paternity test be used for legal purposes?
Invasive prenatal paternity testing may be accepted for legal purposes when proper chain-of-custody procedures are followed and the DNA samples are collected by an unbiased third party, such as an OB-GYN.
Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing (NIPP) is generally offered for informational purposes. At this time, IDTO does not offer NIPP testing, and we are not aware of any widely accepted legal prenatal paternity testing program utilizing non-invasive prenatal DNA samples.
For individuals seeking legally admissible paternity test results, the most cost-effective and efficient option is often to perform DNA testing after the child is born. DNA samples can typically be collected at the hospital or shortly after the mother returns home, allowing the testing process to proceed under standard legal chain-of-custody procedures.
Are my DNA results kept private?
Yes. IDTO DNA and its partner laboratory do not share any personal or genetic information with third-party companies.
All information provided to our partner laboratory is kept secure and will only be released to third parties with the explicit consent of the participants involved or by court order. Specimen samples on file are kept for an average of 3 months, then destroyed.
Why Choose Us IDTO DNA
IDTO DNA is a BBB accredited company who continue to serve thousands of families nationwide with their legal paternity testing needs. Since 2004, we have been a trusted source for both legal and medical professionals seeking reliable DNA testing for their clients.
Our knowledgeable staff will guide you in selecting the right type of genetic test for your specific situation. This careful attention helps prevent ordering the wrong relationship test and avoids the need to pay for additional testing.
