Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to our most-asked questions here. Have more? Contact us for a free consultation.
Home Paternity
Pre-Test & Testing
What do I need to do to get a home paternity test?
To get a home paternity test, you can order it online now or—if you are a U.S. resident—look for our HomeDNA kit at your local retail store. NOTE: Per the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York residents can only do a legal paternity test. See testing guidelines for New York State here.
Can I do a home paternity test if I need results for child support or custody?
No; you should not do a home paternity test if you need results for child support, custody, or any other legal reason. Courts do not accept results unless they are from a legal DNA test that maintained a strict chain-of-custody process. If you need results for court, contact one of our specialists for a no-obligation, free consultation at 800.681.7162.
How soon can you DNA test a baby after birth?
What types of samples does DDC use for a home paternity test?
DNA is collected by test participants at home, using cheek swabs (also called buccal swabs). Cheek swabbing is a quick and painless way to collect cheek cells containing DNA. This is not a saliva test. To prevent swabs from getting “too wet,” avoid gum areas and do not spit on the swabs. If they seem very wet, wave swabs in thefull instructions fo air for 60 seconds prior to placing them in the paper sample envelopes.
Is there a difference in accuracy between cheek swabs and blood?
Can a home paternity test be performed without the mother?
Yes; a home paternity test can be performed without the mother. If the mom cannot or does not want to be tested, we can still perform a home paternity test. A “motherless” test could require more extensive analysis to produce conclusive results, but the results are just as accurate as those of a standard paternity test with the mother included. Keep in mind that consent from a legal parent or guardian must be obtained for testing a minor child. If the mother participates in a home paternity test, she is guaranteed to receive a copy of the test results.
Are home paternity tests accurate?
The DDC Dual Process™ system adds an extra layer of surety to the accuracy of your test results. Each post-natal paternity test is performed twice by independent teams, so you can be confident in your results.
What happens if the tested parties live in different cities or states?
Can a paternity test be performed if the alleged father is missing or deceased?
Other tests include:
We’re ready to help. Call us at 800.681.7162
There are two possible fathers and they’re related. Is this a problem?
DDC offers two options for cases involving possible fathers who are related:
Option 1: Test both fathers, the child, and the mother at the same time. By comparing both fathers’ DNA profiles with the child’s DNA profile, our expert laboratory staff can achieve accurate and conclusive test results. There is an added fee for the additional father.
Option 2: Test one father with extended analysis. This option is for when only one of the fathers is available for testing. To produce a conclusive result, we must perform extended testing and statistical analysis. There is an additional fee for the extended testing and analysis.
If your testing scenario involves two possible fathers who are closely related, contact us to set up your test at 800.681.7162.
I live in New York State. Can I do a home paternity test?
Per the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York residents can only do a legal paternity test with a prescription from their doctor or attorney. See testing guidelines for New York State here.
How long does it take to get DNA paternity-test results for a home test?
How will I receive my results?
What do test results look like, and how do I interpret them?
We follow all paternity-test guidelines for the language used in the report. For this reason, your paternity test results will say whether the possible father IS EXCLUDED or IS NOT EXCLUDED as the biological father of the child tested.
- IS EXCLUDED: Means that he cannot be the father because testing determined that he and the child do not share a biological parent/child relationship.
- IS NOT EXCLUDED: Means that he is likely to be the biological father because testing determined that he and the child do share a biological parent/child relationship with a high degree of probability.
A paternity test result includes a table that lists:
- The allele sizes of the different DNA markers examined and used in the statistical analysis portion of the test (i.e., the DNA profile)
- A Probability of Paternity value
- A Combined Paternity Index (CPI) value
You will want to focus on the probability of paternity percentage. A result of 0% means the alleged father is not the biological father; a result of 99.99% or higher means the alleged father is most likely the biological father. The CPI value represents the odds against another random, unrelated, untested male in the population having the same results as the tested man. IMPORTANT: Paternity testing is calculated using statistics. Therefore, a probability of paternity can never be 100%, because that perfect score would require testing every man on earth with the same racial background of the man tested—which isn’t possible. A probability of 99%+ is considered conclusive for paternity.
Can I use my home paternity test results to obtain child support?
How much does a home paternity test cost?
What forms of payment do you accept?
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover
- Pre-paid credit cards
- Western Union Quick Collect
- Money orders
- Cashier’s checks
- Personal checks (with the payer’s driver’s license number written on the check’s memo line)
- Checks by phone (U.S. patients only)
Do you have payment plans?
Do you protect my privacy?
- We will not release any information about your case to anyone without your authorization.
- We will always follow any special instructions you give us for communicating with you or other parties involved in your test.
- We never release test results over the phone.
More Paternity Questions
Reach Us
Have questions or need assistance? Contact our team.
DNA Technology Park
1 DDC Way
Fairfield, OH 45014
USA:
1.800.681.7162
INT: + 1.513.881.7800
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