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How Much Does a Paternity Test Cost?

Jun 4, 2018 | Paternity

How much does a paternity test cost?

Cost for a Quality Paternity Test

As one of the world’s most highly accredited and trusted DNA-testing laboratories, people ask us this question every day. With the explosion of DNA-testing providers in recent years, it’s easy for people who need a paternity test to get confused about which one they should choose. For many, price is the determining factor. But beware! Choosing the lowest-cost option doesn’t always mean you’ll get the highest quality, which is essential for such an important test. There are companies on the internet  that offer  “cheap” DNA paternity tests, but if the price seems ridiculously low, that should set off warning bells. Since getting accurate and reliable results for a reasonable cost is the goal for most people, here is a breakdown of price ranges for what you can expect to pay for a quality paternity test.

How Much Does a Paternity Test Cost?

A home DNA paternity test (for personal knowledge and peace of mind only) costs $130 to $200. A legal DNA paternity test (with court-admissible results) for child support, child visitation, and immigration, typically costs $300 to $500, and includes professional DNA collection. A non-invasive prenatal paternity test (testing before the baby is born) is $1,500 to $2,000.

Prices can vary, as does the quality of the testing;  additional features can be added, such as expedited testing.

What about Low-Cost Tests?

Home DNA testing is not regulated like legal testing. Many online companies appear legitimate, but farm out their tests to unregulated labs or ship your DNA samples out of the U.S. for cheaper processing. Be careful because cheap testing often means cheap testing methods—don’t take a chance on your life-changing paternity test.

Why Choose DDC for your DNA Paternity Test?

  • We offer high-quality paternity tests at reasonable prices
  • We are the lab—all testing is done on-site, so you can be sure your analysis is being performed at an accredited facility
  • In our laboratory, two independent teams of DNA analysts run every legal DNA test twice, using state-of-the-art equipment, and the end results are verified by a trained scientist with a PhD degree. We do this above and beyond the AABB requirement, to assure our clients receive the most accurate results possible
  • Results are delivered within 1-2 business days (or even same-day) for a home paternity test or legal paternity test, and as quickly as 3 days for a non-invasive prenatal paternity test
  • Our highly-trained  and caring customer-service specialists are available to help when you have questions

Your best option is to call our toll free number, for two reasons:

  1. To make sure you get the test that’s right for you, and
  2. To see if you qualify for monthly discounts

Call us at 800-929-0847: We’re here to help.

Do you have a question about this topic? Leave a comment and we’ll answer.
58 Comments
  1. Dawn

    My boyfriend had a swab test done on a child that was supposed to be his and the results came back 88% that he is the father and this was 20 years ago we don’t believe that she is his have you ever heard of a result like this before and this was court ordered?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Dawn. 20 years go, it was not unusual to get a result like this with a relatively low percentage of possibility compared to the much-more solid results of 99.9% issued today. This doesn’t mean he’s not the biological father, however. If both participants are still living and willing, it may put your heart at rest to test again.

      Reply
      • Juan

        I’ve a daughter in Kentucky she’s 15 years old but I divorced her mom before she born, we do the DNA test for divorce but today my Daughter wants my last name and I can’t find the test
        Question is I can do the DNA test here in Florida and my Daughter there in Kentucky ? And how much is that ?
        Thanks

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hi, Juan. We don’t provide pricing in blog comments since prices could change in the future. I suggest you contact us directly at 800-929-0847 and one of our team members can give you exact pricing for your situation and arrange for the test if you decide you want to do it through us. All the best to both of you!

          Reply
  2. Henry

    I’m living in Guyana (South America) can i have a paternity test done whereby i sendnin the samples by dhl ?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Henry. Contact us via email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help you.

      Reply
  3. Jeanne

    The paternity kit states for father/child/mother. Can a second child be tested instead of mother and if so, what is the cost? Would I need to purchase two kits? I don’t know how to do this. I’ve tried to call to speak with a rep but call will not go through. Your assistance please.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Jeanne. Yes, you can test two children instead of the mother with one kit. However, you’ll need to pay two separate lab fees. If you need an at-home kit and just want results for peace of mind (no legal reason), then you can purchase the kit directly from our site without having to call: https://dnacenter.com/products/paternity/home-paternity-testing/

      Reply
      • Pamela

        Hi
        I’m 62 and question if my dad is my biological father.

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hello, Pamela. Is your father living and willing to do a test? If not, you can do a sibling test with one or more siblings to determine if you share the same father. Call us for a free consultation at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

          Reply
  4. Michael

    I have a 17 year old son that I’m paying child support for. Never seen him but on facebook. His stepfather doesn’t want him to talk with me. I’ve heard his not mine. Where should I start to find out the truth.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Michael. I have too many questions to feel comfortable giving you an answer. You should start by asking a family-law attorney in your area. A lawyer would be able to get into the particulars about your case and legal authority to act on behalf of a minor child. Every state has different rules.

      Reply
      • Reem

        Hi I would like to test my child and I’m in USA and his father is in Dubai. How can we do that without having to set foot over there can we just have the alleged father send swabs somehow and keep us strictly confidential without names or alias names. How much would a peace of mind test cost and this situation cost. Can we make this possible.

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hi, Reem. Absolutely we can make this possible. Please contact our team of experts directly at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

          Reply
  5. Tee

    If you just want to determine paternity, can you just test the father and child? Is it necessary to include the mother?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Tee. In most cases, the mother’s DNA is not required to obtain conclusive results. There are times, however, when her DNA can help to strengthen results, which is why we recommend she test too.

      Reply
  6. Chefy

    My brother needs to test 4 kids to determine if they are biologically his. He’s the only one needed to be present for swabbing? Or does the mother have to be there too?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Chefy. If he is not a legal parent, he must have the mother’s permission to test. Have him contact us at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern).

      Reply
  7. Jules

    Hi, what if I want to test a second male and childs dad instead of myself because the child has all the traits of the next person? (please not the father and i wasnt together anymore when i was with the other person

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Jules. Anyone can be tested, as long as they consent. You would need to pay a separate lab fee for each possible father tested, though.

      Reply
  8. Rebecca

    I am 12 wks pregnant and just wondering if I can see if my bf is my baby’s father before he/she is born?

    Reply
      • Rabbit

        How much does this method cost and how long do u wait for the results??

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hi, Rabbit. Please be more specific about which test you’re asking about so I can answer correctly. Thanks!

          Reply
  9. Christina

    Hi i wanted to know if i order a kit is it a seprate price for the dna sample

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Christina. Our paternity-test kits sold on this site are for testing one child + one possible father + the mother, and the price is all-inclusive. If you are interested in any other type of relationship test (for example, half-sibling), or if you need a paternity test for court, you’ll need to call us directly at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
      • Mary

        Hi. If I did a prenatal paternity test for just personal knowledge and didn’t provide names for legal reasons, but only tested one alleged father and submitted my blood and it came out 99.9% probability, how can I trust these results? I feel like they may have been rushed and made up since they came back so quickly (within 2 days) and weren’t legally binding.

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hi, Mary. A prenatal-paternity case can definitely be completed in just two days, if we have space left on the plate for that day and the samples arrive and are processed before that plate is started. All reports for tests are double-checked before they are sent out as well. No test is ever rushed. Once samples arrive at the lab, the process is exactly the same for non-legal tests as they are for legal tests, and you can be assured your test received the same excellent care and accurate diagnosis as a legal one.

          Reply
  10. Christina

    Hi my bf had child but he said he may not be the father because the child came way before the time he said he was with the person .but he is out of the city now is it possible that i could let our son do a dna with the other child yo see if there brothers

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Christina. If the other child is a minor and your boyfriend isn’t a legal parent or guardian for that child, then the mother of the child would need to provide consent for testing.

      Reply
  11. Olivia

    Hi how long for the results in Guyana

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Olivia. Reports for paternity tests are ready 2 business days after all samples arrive at the lab.

      Reply
  12. William

    I’ve had paternity done on my daughter they says shes mine but the mother and grandmother says she not mine. Could my lab test be wrong child support done they testing on me and daughter mother was no show. Could I not be father

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, William. Since child support ordered the testing, it was a legal test wherein IDs were checked, DNA collection was supervised, and a chain of custody was maintained. You can trust the results are accurate.

      Reply
  13. KA

    Hi, I’m in a unique situation where my son was born to a woman who was (at the time) married to another man. In my state, the law makes him the legal father of my son. I need to have a paternity test done so the court can determine if I’m the father before they will put my name on my sons birth certificate.

    My son, I, and her ex-husband will need to test.

    Can you help?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, KA. This situation requires a legal DNA test, and we can arrange DNA-collection for parties in different locations; it’s actually quite simple. Please give us a call at your convenience at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
  14. Olivia

    Question if i want a DNA test done and both parents are in different states how will it be done.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Olivia. You should order directly through us by phone, rather than purchasing our online home kit. That way, we can send DNA-collection materials to different addresses with no problem. Our number is 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
  15. Brandon

    Can u do a payment plan

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Brandon. Please contact us directly for information about paying for a test at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
  16. Krin

    How long is the DNA viable? If the alleged father does the swab and the kit isn’t sent in until a few days later and it takes a day to reach the lab will the results still be accurate?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Krin. Excellent question. If kept in a cool, dry place, DNA samples can actually remain viable for up to 6 months. No worries!

      Reply
  17. Lou

    Hi. I am in mourning since my sister passed away a couple of wks ago. After she was laid to rest someone contacted me about her being adopted & my sister being her Biological Mother. I was given a copy of her birth certificate & it has my sister name, woman’s DOB, place of birth etc. Everything matched up. I haven’t been able to mourn properly because a woman who was put up for adoption 46 yrs ago could possibly be my long lost niece. She definitely resembles my sister. I have absolutely no idea where to begin. Please assist

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Lou. You could try one or several of the ancestry tests that makes DNA information public. It may be that your niece has performed this test and you may be able to identify her this way. Good luck!

      Reply
  18. Cicily

    Hi , I’m cici and I was wondering how do I go about getting an dna test done with my father who now says I’m not his child after 46 years he’s now saying I’m not his because he has to pay the system for taking care of me most of my life

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Cici. If you are in the United States, please call 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern). If you are outside the United States, email [email protected] and our team can direct you where to go for testing.

      Reply
  19. Andrew

    Should I sign the paternity affidavit before I order a court test? My ex girlfriend says the baby is mine but I’m not sure. He’s due in 2 months so I’m trying to get answers on how to proceed.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Andrew. It is best practice not to sign any acknowledgment of paternity before testing. In most states, you have up to 2 years after the baby is born to file a request for a test with the court.

      Reply
  20. Gerry

    What is the process for testing TWINS? ITS A CRYING SHAME MEN HAVE TO RESORT TO SOMETHING LIKE A TEST…….TOO BAD THE LAW CANT HOLD A WOMEN FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE TRUTH COMES OUT AFTER THE CHILDREN TURN 18……

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Gerry. The process for testing twins is the same as testing a single child, however the pricing is going to be higher for twins than a single test since the lab would be answering two questions instead of one:
      (1) Does the man tested share a paternal relationship with Twin A? (2) Does the man tested share a paternal relationship with Twin B? For a free and confidential consultation give us a call at 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
  21. sherry

    I found out after my dad died that he thought I was not his child. How do I go about testing to see if I am or not.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Sherry. Condolences on the loss of your dad. Probably the easiest thing for you to do is to call one of our experts directly at 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern). They can listen and learn your unique situation and help to determine who should participate in DNA testing to help you discover your answer. All the best!

      Reply
  22. Tara

    I am pregnant and am not sure who the father is between 3 guys. If I test 2 guys will I be charged twice for the NIP procedure?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Tara. Yes, there is an extra charge for adding an additional possible father, but it is not for the full test amount. Call us directly at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern) for specifics.

      Reply
  23. CINTHIA

    Can a paternity test determine between two brothers that can be the father of a child?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Cinthia. The answer is yes, unless the men are identical twins. Please contact us at800-681-7162 (M-F 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern) for a free confidential consultation and to order.

      Reply
  24. Jack

    I just need to establish paternity using an at home test, are lab fees a separate charge with regard to the advertised prices I see listed online?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hello, Jack. The price of our at-home test is £79.

      Reply

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