Paternity Test FAQs

You may be concerned that your DNA sample could be used to discover a whole range of things about you. We want to reassure you that our DNA paternity testing will not lead to this. The DNA sample collected for our paternity test exclusively serves the purpose of paternity testing. Furthermore, you can have confidence that information concerning your case is given only to authorized individuals.

The DNA sample is removed during the testing process, and all personal information is deleted from our system within 30 days after delivering the results to you. We will never sell your personal DNA information, or provide it to any other individual, company, lab, or private or government database.

Our informational home paternity DNA test provides you 100% accurate answers from the comfort of your home. If your are in need of a Legal paternity DNA test, we have 3,500+ DNA centers in the USA. All legal collection are by appointment only, and we most likely have a location close to your home or office.

Not usually. You should probably not do a home paternity test if you need results for child support, custody, or any other legal reason. Courts typically require results from a legal DNA test with a maintained chain-of-custody process for acceptance. However, a judge may decide what evidence they find valid. If you have specific legal concerns, we recommend consulting an attorney before proceeding. We are willing to collaborate with an attorney of your choice to facilitate any required testing.

Yes, this is very common. We can send paternity test kits to two different addresses. There is an option to list a second address on our online form.

Each kit will share the same case number and are matched up in lab once all the samples arrive. If one sample arrives first, then we just store that in a way to keep the sample safe until the other sample(s) arrive.

We will notify you once all samples have arrived and testing begins.

Yes! Cheek-swab samples are the industry standard for this type of test. Cheek swabs make DNA extraction by our lab’s robots easy, which is one way to keep costs lower for our customers.

If you intend to provide an alternative DNA sample like a toothbrush, ear wax on swabs, or fingernail clippings, please be aware that there is a non-refundable fee of $100 necessary to assess the sample’s viability before testing.

If two possible fathers are related as full brothers, or father and son, they may share many of the DNA markers used in paternity testing. This means that if the laboratory is not aware of these relationships, both men could test positive as the child’s biological father. DNA testing is strong enough to determine paternity in a case involving closely-related fathers. However, it is best if we are told about these situations before the testing process commences.

Journey Genetic Testing offers two options for cases involving possible fathers who are related:

Option 1: Test both fathers, the child, and the mother at the same time. Expert laboratory staff can obtain definitive test results by comparing the DNA profiles of both fathers with the child’s DNA. There is an added fee for the additional father.

Option 2: Test one father with extended analysis. This option is for when only one of the 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.

No, an ancestry DNA test can only identify possible DNA matches. Only a direct paternity test can conclusively establish a match between a father and child’s DNA.

Yes. Close to 98% of our paternity testing involves solely the DNA samples of the father and the child.

Yes. There are a few options available to do DNA testing.

First, if an autopsy was conducted, the Medical Examiner may have a blood or tissue sample from the deceased. This may be able to be used for a paternity test. In addition, paternity testing can also be done using an “alternative sample” containing the alleged father’s DNA. Examples can be items like blood, hair, finger nails, toe nails, toothbrush, etc.

Additionally, we can conduct a test utilizing a parent of the alleged father, known as a Grandparent DNA test. Furthermore, we can perform an Avuncular DNA test by testing a sibling of the alleged father.It is also possible to test two or more possible siblings who suspect they share the same mother (Full Sibling test) or only believe they share the same biological father (Half Sibling test).

Our Genetic Consultants can provide additional information. Call us at 1-855-362-5224 or email us at info@dna-paternity-testing.com.

The potential father and child swab the inside of their cheeks for buccal (cheek) cells. You mail the cotton swab applicators to our lab. After all your samples have reached the lab the testing starts.

The analyzed genetic loci contain DNA sequences referred to as short tandem repeats (STRs), which are short, repeating DNA units. These STRs have a variable number of repeats at each genetic locus, inherited from their biological parents. Every individual has two genetic markers, known as alleles, for each genetic locus. They inherit one allele from their biological mother and the other from their biological father.

The test result report includes the allele sizes (number of repeats) for the mother (if tested), child, and alleged father at each genetic locus.

If the test includes just the child and the alleged father and they lack shared alleles at three or more loci, it rules out the alleged father. However, if the alleged father matches at 22 or more markers, he’s the biological father. These genetic results serve as the basis for calculating and reporting the probability of paternity.

The cost of a paternity test is of $109. There are no extra fees.