MARCH 10, 2024

Legal Paternity Test vs. At-Home Paternity Test

If you are considering paternity testing in the near future, it can be extremely helpful to understand the differences between a legal paternity test and a home paternity test. While both tests determine paternity with at least 99.999% confidence, there are some key differences in how these results can be used. Ensure you know which test will best suit your specific needs before making this all-important purchase.

What Is a Legal Paternity Test?

If you opt for a legal paternity test, your DNA samples are collected and handled under chain of custody procedures, making your test court-admissible. To ensure the proper chain of custody is followed, all tested parties are required to have their DNA samples collected at a certified facility like DNA Diagnostics Center, or a hospital, medical office, or health department.

When utilizing legal paternity testing, the sample collector is also required to verify the identities of all tested parties through either government ID or other legal documents. After collection, the sample is carefully handled throughout the transport and testing process to ensure that samples are not tampered with.

DDC’s Legal Paternity Test: Understanding the Process

1. Call DDC directly to order your test.
2. The customer service specialist will make an appointment for test participants at a local approved DNA collection center in your area. Appointments can be made at multiple collection centers if needed.
3. Per AABB accreditation requirements for legal testing, the customer service specialist will mail a DNA sample collection kit directly to the collection center (you cannot bring a kit to the center yourself).
4. At the collection center, the identities of all tested parties will be verified and this proof of verification will be included in the paternity test report (results), making the results court-admissible.
5. Collection center staff will either witness participants swabbing their own cheeks or may assist participants, if needed.
6. Collection center staff will complete all paperwork, package and seal DNA samples, and ship samples to the DDC laboratory.
7. Once samples arrive at the DDC laboratory, results are posted as early as one (1) business day.

*The laboratory processes are identical for home paternity testing and legal paternity testing.

Why Choose a Legal Paternity Test?

While there are many reasons to choose a legal paternity test over an at-home test, the most common reason people opt for a legal test is due to court-admissibility. Legal paternity tests can be used in cases involving:

• Child Support
• Child Custody
• Immigration
• Inheritance Rights
• Adoption
• Social Security
• And More

Many people also choose a legal paternity test because they would like names included on the report. With a legal paternity test, all identities are confirmed and the verified names are included on the report for each tested party.

How Much Does a Legal Paternity Test Cost?

Because a legal paternity test requires the services of a neutral sample collector, there is an additional cost per participant. Other than this collection fee for court-admissible testing, there are no additional price differences between legal and home paternity tests.

If price is a concern, please reach out to one of our dedicated representatives for a no commitment consultation.

What Is a Non-Legal Paternity Test?

A non-legal paternity test, also known as a peace-of-mind paternity test or home paternity test, works just like a legal test except that no chain of custody is followed, making the test inadmissible in a court setting. These non-legal paternity tests are just as accurate; the DDC lab follows the same strict processes that legal tests require.

Because no chain of custody is required to be followed for home paternity tests, participants can collect their DNA samples and ship them to the laboratory all from the comfort of home. If admissibility in court is not an important factor for your paternity needs, and you do not require names on your report, you can easily get the peace of mind you are looking for with a home paternity test.

DDC’s Home Paternity Test: Understanding the Process

1. Call DDC directly to order your test, purchase online, or pick up a test at a participating retailer.
2. Once you receive your home paternity test kit, use the provided buccal (cheek) swabs to collect DNA samples from all tested parties – the child, possible father, and the mother (her participation is optional, but recommended in certain cases such as when possible fathers are related).
3. Mail the DNA samples to the DDC laboratory.
4. Once samples arrive at the DDC laboratory, results are posted as early as one (1) business day.

Why Choose a Non-Legal Paternity Test?

There are many reasons why a person might choose a non-legal home paternity test rather than a legal test. The most common reasons people may opt for a home test include:

• Convenience: Test from the comfort of home.
• Discretion: Tested parties are not required to be notified. In certain situations, you could provide an unusual sample like a cotton swab or nail clipping to be tested, rather than a buccal (cheek) swab.
• Price: Home paternity tests are typically less expensive than legal paternity tests.

How Much Does a Non-Legal Paternity Test Cost?

Because a non-legal home paternity test does not require the services of a neutral sample collector, there is no additional cost per participant. For additional pricing questions and concerns, please reach out to one of our dedicated representatives for a no commitment consultation.

Legal Tests Vs At-Home Comparison Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Are home paternity tests admissible in court?

Results from a home paternity test cannot be used as proof of paternity for legal reasons such as child support, custody, Social Security, etc. At-home results cannot be used because the DNA sample is collected by the test participants themselves. This means chain-of-custody protocol cannot be followed, and identities of tested parties cannot be independently verified.

How accurate are at-home paternity tests?

Results for a home paternity test are just as accurate as they are for a legal paternity test. In fact, once DNA samples arrive at the lab, the process for testing is exactly the same for a home test as it is for a legal one.

Is using a buccal swab the same as providing a saliva sample?

Cheek-swab samples are not the same as saliva samples. With a buccal swab, we recommend that customers swab their cheek for a full 30 seconds per swab while ensuring they avoid the saliva-rich gum areas. If samples seem “too wet” once swabbing is complete, just wave the swab in the air for 1-2 minutes before placing it in the paper sample envelope.

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!