Like other DNA tests, kits to determine paternity are available in retail stores, making it easier than ever before to get reliable, accurate answers to important relationship questions. Many people who are considering paternity testing assume that they need to have a doctor’s order or a court order before they can do one. This simply isn’t true! Here are some quick facts about when you might need these orders and when you don’t.

Paternity Testing: When You Don’t Need an Order

Peace-of-Mind Paternity Testing: If you just want to know paternity answers for your own information, then all you need to do is walk into a store and pick up an at-home kit, or go online to purchase one.

It’s important to keep in mind that when you collect and submit participants’ DNA yourself and at home, results are not court-admissible because courts cannot verify that all participants are who they say they are. So if you ever anticipate needing paternity testing results for child custody or child-support rulings, then it’s a good idea to do a legal paternity test instead.

Legal Testing: Unless you are a New York State resident, you do not need authority from an attorney, doctor, or a court order to get a legal (or witnessed) paternity test. All you need to do is contact a highly-accredited, respected DNA lab with an excellent reputation (like DDC) and one of their specialists can set up an appointment for you at an approved DNA-collection facility near you. A DNA sample collector will check all participants’ IDs, witness the cheek-swabbing process, and mail the samples to the lab, thus maintaining a chain of custody. The best part about paying a little extra for legal testing is that results can be used in court now or in the future, should the need ever arise.

Paternity Testing: When You Do Need an Order

The only time a doctor or lawyer’s order is required for paternity testing is when the participants are New York residents. In fact, “at-home” testing is not permitted at all in the Empire State, per the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). All tests must have the written authorization of a physician or attorney before DNA samples can be collected and submitted. All tests must be legal, chain-of-custody tests whose results are admissible in court.

DNA Diagnostics Center^® (DDC) is the leader in legal paternity testing.

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

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