MAY 22, 2016

Can You Do a Paternity Test Without the Father?

If the possible father is not around or doesn’t want to take part, you may be wondering: can you do a paternity test without the father? The short answer is yes. A reputable lab can often establish paternity even when the alleged father is unavailable or unwilling, either by testing his close biological relatives or by working with non-standard DNA samples such as hair clippings or a used ear swab.

Just keep in mind that for results to be valid in court, the samples must be collected under a signed chain-of-custody process.

Can You Get a DNA Test Without the Father Knowing?

A DNA test without the father knowing is possible, and it’s what labs call a “non-legal” paternity test. The results are strictly for personal knowledge and cannot be used in court. A lab can advise you on what kind of sample to collect from the possible father and the child, and once those samples arrive, they’re analyzed the same way as any other test.

Can the Father Refuse DNA Paternity Testing?

The possible father of a child has the right to refuse a court-ordered DNA paternity test, although he’ll face legal consequences for doing so. DNA testing is typically considered a civil lawsuit, so a judge can force the father to submit a sample to a court-approved facility. If the father refuses to take the test at this point, he can be held in contempt of court, which can lead to legal consequences such as fines and criminal charges.
If a paternity suit gets filed, the court won’t necessarily force the possible father to take a paternity test immediately. The court will review the facts of the case first, and if there’s enough information to warrant a paternity test, the court will issue the order for the test.

Paternity DNA Testing When the Father Is Deceased

For cases in which the possible father has passed away, several options are available to help verify paternity. For the following relationship tests, involving the child’s mother increases the accuracy of the results.
Grandparent Test: When the father is deceased, this test can determine the statistical probability of whether or not the possible grandmother and/or grandfather is biologically related to tested children.
Sibling: This test determines whether two individuals share one or both parents. Although an indirect way to prove or disprove paternity, it’s one option when the father is deceased. This test can also be used for half-siblings. The mother must provide permission for full or half-siblings aged 16 and younger to participate.
Aunt-Uncle: Called avuncular testing, this is another option when the father is deceased, because uncles and aunts share 25% of their DNA with their nieces and nephews.

Paternity Testing Using Hair or Other Non-Standard Samples

While non-standard samples such as hair or a toothbrush from the possible father can be used for testing, items such as discarded ear swabs or used tissue are better. If non-standard samples are the only option, reputable labs will work with the individual to ascertain the best possible sample for their specific situation. After the sample is received, the lab will generate the DNA profile of the possible father. If the sample is sufficient, this DNA profile is compared to the DNA collected from the child’s cheek swabs to determine paternity probability. Results from this process are typically available within 5 to 10 business days, but turnaround time may vary based on the quality of the sample.

How Accurate Is a DNA Paternity Test?

Since the 1980s, lab scientists have been able to test two people for a genetic match to confirm biological parenthood with 99.99 percent certainty. Since then, advances have been made in the underlying science and these methods have been rigorously tested, described, and proven in countless peer-reviewed journals. If you obtain a sample directly from the father (e.g., with a buccal cheek swab), test results provide a 99.9999 percent probability of paternity or higher as long as they aren’t contaminated.
Results from legally binding chain-of-custody paternity tests are recognized in courts worldwide as proof of paternity. The method in which samples are collected is the most important single factor to ensure accuracy and legality. When being tested, mothers and named fathers must present a valid ID, follow and sign the chain-of-custody authorization, and their samples must be securely attached to their IDs.

Can You Contest the Results of a Potentially Falsified DNA Test?

In some cases, even accurate DNA test results can be contested. Here are a few situations in which this can happen:

• Results are thought to be fraudulent
• Conclusive evidence shows the possible father is sterile/infertile
• Clear evidence indicates someone has tampered with the lab results

How Common Is Paternity Testing?

Paternity and relationship testing has grown into a routine, widely used service. According to the AABB, which accredits the labs that perform this testing, member laboratories reported 347,314 case relationship testing cases in 2024, the most recent year with published survey data. That’s up from earlier estimates of roughly 300,000 paternity tests a year in the mid-2000s, reflecting how much more accessible and trusted DNA testing has become. Today, requests come from private individuals, family law attorneys, and government agencies alike, with a large share tied to child support and custody matters.

Getting Started with DNA Diagnostics Center

DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) processes more paternity and relationship tests than any other service worldwide. Moreover, DDC specializes in determining relationships in complex situations, including when the possible father is unavailable for testing. Each year, we process more than one million samples at our state-of-the-art laboratory outside Cincinnati, Ohio from individuals and government agencies around the world. Here are a few other things that set DDC apart from less reputable DNA testing labs:

• FREE consultation to determine the right test for your needs
• The most trusted name in paternity and relationship testing

• Fast, accurate, PhD-reviewed results delivered directly from our laboratory
• Friendly, knowledgeable support team to ensure your complete satisfaction

Bottom line: Paternity tests are an essential tool for proving paternity in divorces and other legal cases and also provide peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do a paternity test without the mother?

Yes. The mother’s DNA is not required for an accurate result. DDC can determine paternity by comparing DNA markers from the child and the possible father alone. Including the mother can strengthen the statistics in certain cases, such as when two possible fathers are related, but her sample and her consent are not needed when the tested father has parental responsibility for the child.

Can you test a child’s DNA without the other parent’s consent?

It depends on the situation and where you live. For a home test done for personal knowledge, a legal parent or guardian can usually test their minor child. If you are not the child’s legal parent or guardian, you generally need signed consent from the parent or guardian who is. Consent rules and custody laws vary by state, so it’s best to call us and, if legal use is involved, confirm the requirements for your state before testing.

How accurate is a paternity test that uses the father’s relatives instead of the father?

Testing the possible father directly gives the clearest answer, but when he’s unavailable, relationship tests with his parents, siblings, or an aunt or uncle can still establish paternity with strong statistical confidence. These tests report a probability rather than a direct match, and including the child’s mother in the test increases the accuracy of the result.

About DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC)

DNA Diagnostic Center is the world leader in paternity and relationship testing. We serve healthcare professionals, government agencies, and individuals around the world to determine family relationships with trusted accuracy.

More Questions? Don’t hesitate to call us: we’re here to help!