JULY 16, 2018

Where Can I Get a Paternity Test?

As a top DNA testing lab, customers ask, “Where can I get a paternity test?” The answer really depends on how you need to use the results once testing is complete and you have your report.

Where Can I Get a Paternity Test? 

You can get a paternity test kit at your local drugstore or online if you plan on collecting DNA yourself at home and need results only for your personal information. For court-admissible results, you must contact an accredited lab directly to set up the test.

At-Home Paternity Testing

An at-home paternity test is quick, private, and can be done conveniently in the comfort of your own home. The main difference between an at-home test and a legal test is that—if you use a kit from a store—results cannot be used as evidence for any kind of legal purpose since the identities of the test participants cannot be independently verified. The options for purchasing a home kit include:

• Directly from the Lab
• Drugstores
• Supercenters
• Online

 Caution: Beware of at-home tests purchased from bargain sites, have too-good-to-be-true pricing, and/or do not offer accredited services.

SEE HOW MUCH A PATERNITY TEST COSTS >

Legal Paternity Testing

A paternity test kit cannot be purchased from the store when results need to be used for legal purposes. This is because a strict “chain of custody” process must be followed from start to finish:

1. Testing materials must be sent to a testing facility directly from the lab
2. Participants’ IDs must be checked and photographs taken
3. An approved DNA-collection witness must supervise the cheek swabbing
4. The DNA-collection witness must send in samples to the lab

You can only get a legal paternity test by calling an accredited laboratory directly so that they can set up a supervised test near you. Some reasons for getting a legal test include:

• Child Support
• Child Custody
• Immigration (must be through an AABB-accredited lab)
• Inheritance Rights
• Adoption
• And More

Other Types of Relationship Testing

If you’re trying to confirm a paternal relationship when the alleged father is unavailable, you also need to call the lab directly to set up the test. You should not use an at-home kit for the following analyses:

• Grandparentage test
• Aunt/Uncle test
• Sibling/Half-Sibling Test

These types of tests generally require more testing materials than those that come with at-home kits, and the lab fee for these tests is different than the fee for a straight paternity test.

Wrapping It Up

The answer to “Where can I get a paternity test?” is not as straightforward as it may seem at first. But the great news is, it’s easier than ever to get the type of paternity test you need if you know where to look.

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!