Establishing Paternity While Incarcerated
How to Get a Paternity Test While Incarcerated?
Establishing the paternity of an alleged father who is incarcerated requires DNA testing. The mother of the child must file a paternity petition in her state for the father’s DNA samples to be collected. If the petition is accepted, a court date will be issued, and the judge will need to issue a court order.
The prison where the alleged father is located will require a copy of the court order to allow the inmate’s DNA samples to be collected. After the prison acknowledges the court order, contact IDTO at 888-204-0583 with the following details so one of our DNA representatives can reach out to the prison to coordinate DNA sample collection or to ship a DNA test kit for the prison nurse to collect the inmate’s samples.
All legal paternity tests are performed by our partner AABB accredited laboratory. The lab’s accreditation ensures that your results will be accepted by Family Courts nationwide.
Required Prison Information:
- Contact email of the person responsible for coordinating inmate DNA sample collection
- Contact phone number
- Address of the prison
Common Reason to perform a DNA test in prison
- Adding a the father’s name to a child’s birth certificate
- Child Support
- Immigration cases (visas, passport or CRBA)
- Paternity Establishment
How much does paternity testing cost for incarcerated father?
The cost of legal paternity testing starts at $350.00. DNA sample collection costs are not included in the price of your test.
Can an inmate deny to refuse a paternity test when a court order has been issued?
Yes, an inmate can refuse to provide a DNA sample for a paternity test despite a court order. While the prison cannot force compliance, refusal may result in the judge holding the inmate in contempt of court. This could lead to a default judgment in favor of the mother.
It is important to note that DNA collection guidelines for criminal cases differ. In certain situations, individuals convicted of crimes may be required to submit DNA samples to databases without the option to refuse.
The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with a legal professional for specific interpretations of DNA collection laws in your state.
Can paternity be established without a DNA test with an inmate’s involvement?
Yes. Paternity establishment without a DNA test involving an inmate (alleged father). Below are the scenarios:
- Inmate’s Refusal: If an inmate refuses to perform a paternity test, a judge may issue a default judgment declaring the inmate the legal father of the child.
- Family Reconstruction Testing: A paternity test can be performed using the inmate’s parents (father, mother, or both). To add the father’s name to a child’s birth certificate, request this testing option in family court so the judge can issue a court order.