The loss of a loved one can create significant emotional and practical challenges for families. When a child is born and the deceased father has not established paternity, the child may lose access to financial support, medical benefits, and important information about their paternal lineage.
DNA testing provides a reliable method for establishing paternity for Pennsylvania residents who need assistance. The following information explains how DNA testing can be used in situations where the alleged father is deceased.
How do I establish paternity if father is deceased with a DNA Test?
Below is an overview of the criteria for establishing paternity through DNA testing when the father is deceased.
- Testing an Existing DNA Sample:
If the medical examiner or coroner’s office has a DNA sample on file such as a blood card sample or hair follicle this sample may be used to determine paternity by comparing it with the child’s DNA. - Family Reconstruction DNA Testing:
When there is no DNA sample from the father is available, a family reconstruction DNA test may be performed. This involves testing close relatives of the father, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, or uncles, and comparing their DNA with the child’s DNA.
Important Note:
Mothers or legal guardians who are seeking Social Security benefits for a child under the age of 18, it is recommended that you contact the Social Security office before performing a DNA test. They can confirm which biological relationships are acceptable in cases where a DNA sample from the deceased father is not available.
Postmortem DNA Testing Options:
Below are the DNA testing options based on your specific circumstance that are available to you when a father is deceased.
- Direct father/child paternity test using a forensic samples (Common samples used are hair follicles, fingernails/toenails, blood card samples or bone samples preferably femur bone).
- Paternal Grandparent DNA Test – This DNA testing option can be performed with one or both paternal grandparents, the grandchild. We recommend the mother participate in the testing process for increased testing accuracy.
- Paternal Half Sibling DNA Test – This testing option determines if two alleged sibling share a common biological father.
- Paternal Avuncular (Uncle/Aunt) DNA Test – This test can be performed if the deceased father has a sibling.
Looking for more information regarding these testing options contact our office at 888-204-0583 today.
How much does a deceased father DNA test cost?
Pricing for deceased father DNA testing is the standard legal Family Reconstruction DNA test which starts at $499.99.
Please contact our office at regarding the deceased father’s DNA samples being held by the coroner or medical examiner’s office. Pricing and shipping details will vary depending on the sample type.
Where can I go get a DNA Testing appointment in Pennsylvania?
Scheduling an appointment is simple, please contact our office at 888-204-0583 to get started today.
IDTO has various DNA sample collection locations in our network throughout Allentown, Erie, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,York and the entire state of Pennsylvania.
No walk-ins. All appointments are scheduled based on availability.
What is the method of DNA sample collection?
There are two types of DNA sample collection, depending on your specific situation.
- When forensic DNA samples from a deceased father are being used, the sample collection is typically handled by Philadelphia Medical Examiner Offices, Allegheny County Medical Examiner (ACOME) or any of the remaining 7 elected forensic coroners in PA, or, in some cases, a DNA sample collector from our network.
- The second method involves collecting cheek swab samples during an in-office appointment for family reconstruction DNA testing, such as testing grandparents with a grandchild.
How long will it take to receive my DNA results?
The average turnaround time once all samples are received is two to three business days.
In cases involving forensic samples from a deceased individual, results may take 10 to 15 days depending on the sample type, such as bone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my results legally admissible?
DNA results are legally admissible when a chain of custody has been established. Samples must be collected by an independent third-party collector, not by you. All samples must be tested and analyzed by our partner, an AABB‑accredited laboratory, for results to be legally accepted.
Please note, an at-home DNA test to determine the paternity of a deceased father using a toothbrush, fingernails/toenail clippings or hair follicle samples from a brush cannot be used for any legal purpose. Home DNA Tests do not require a chain of custody or independent third party DNA sample collector.
What are the common reasons to perform a post mortem DNA test?
Below are common scenarios in which a postmortem DNA test is performed.
- To acquire Social Security benefits.
- To add the father’s name to the birth certificate.
- Probate (intestacy) cases: when a father dies without a will in Pennsylvania, proof of a biological relationship between the father and child is required for the child to receive inheritance. It is important to note, these cases are handled by Register of Wills and the Orphans’ Court.
- Acquiring citizenship in another country.
- Confirm a paternal biological relationship from research on an Ancestry lineage service.
Can I use a toothbrush sample to establish paternity?
A toothbrush can provide DNA for informational testing to determine a biological relationship between a father and a child, but it is generally not legally admissible to establish paternity.
Can cremated ashes be used for DNA testing?
No. Due to the extremely high temperatures in which a body is cremated, DNA will not be available from ashes for comparative analysis testing.
Who can authorize DNA collection of a deceased father?
Only the executor of the deceased father’s estate has the authority to approve the use of the father’s samples for DNA testing. The executor may be a family member, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or another close relative.
In situations where no executor has been appointed, the next of kin assumes responsibility for providing consent for DNA testing.
Coordinate with the executor or next of kin to ensure proper sample collection and to maintain the chain of custody before scheduling your DNA paternity test appointment.
