Many people decide to have a paternity test because there are suspicions about the paternity of the child or it is unclear who fathered the child. Paternity cannot be based on appearance. The only way to prove paternity definitively is to conduct a DNA test.

Who should be tested?

The child and the possible father must be tested. The mother is not necessary for testing, but having her sample allows us to rule out the DNA the child received from her, thus making the test a little more accurate.

What's the difference between legal and in-home paternity tests?

A legal test requires patients to have their samples collected by a laboratory or a hospital in their area. The sample collector will properly identify each tested party by photocopying ID, fingerprinting, and photographing. This is all part of a chain of custody that is necessary if the results are to be used in a court of law or for other legal reasons. In-home testing uses the exact same testing methods, but the patients are able to collect their own samples at their own convenience.

How will I know if I collect the samples correctly?

The collection kit you will receive contains the same supplies used by professional collectors. The kit contains a set of directions that if followed carefully, will supply us with a sufficient sample of cheek cells to test. The collection will not in any way alter your results. If there is insufficient DNA, we send you another kit and ask that you recollect the samples. Recollection delays your test results.

Does the sample collection hurt?

No. The sample collection is as easy and as painless as brushing your teeth. The buccal swabs that are used to collect the samples look like long Q-Tips. The tip of the swab is rubbed along the inside of the cheek -- the cells will stick to the swab. This process is safe even for newborns.

What if I want to test more than one child or more than one alleged father?

If the testing is done all at the same time, each additional person is $125.

Does a test done with a buccal swab have the same accuracy as one done with blood samples?

Yes. Your DNA is the same in every cell of your body. The DNA in the cheek cells is identical to the DNA in your blood, therefore, the accuracy of the two is the same.

How accurate are the results?

DNA testing is the most reliable method to test for paternity. The results you will receive from your In-Home DNA Paternity Testing will provide you with a 0% probability if the tested man is not the biological father of the child or a 99% or higher probability if the tested man is the biological father of the child.