FAQs — Legal Paternity Testing

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1. What is a legal paternity test?
2. What is a chain of custody?
3. Do you have local collection sites?
4. Do all the parties have to come to a sample collection apppointment together?
5. How do I order a legal paternity test?

1. What is a legal paternity test?

A legal paternity test is a conclusive, accredited, and documented test that uses DNA analysis to determine if a man is the biological father of a child. The key difference between a legal paternity test and an in-home paternity test is the Chain of Custody, a documentation process used in the legal test to make the test results legally defensible (accepted by courts and other government agencies). Legal paternity test results are notarized.

The results of a legal paternity test may be used to prove or disprove paternity for legal purposes such as child support, custody, and inheritance.

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2. What is a chain of custody?

The Chain of Custody is a documentation process required to make the DNA test results legally defensible (accepted by courts and other government agencies). The Chain of Custody assures the court and other government agencies involved in the case that:

• Samples are collected by a neutral third party, such as a clinic or laboratory
• The individuals tested are positively identified (i.e. They present a government-issued ID and are photographed and fingerprinted for records.).
• The samples are carefully tracked throughout the DNA testing process.

In a Chain of Custody case, each tested party is asked to complete a Client Identification and Consent Form. The legal guardian of a minor should sign the minor’s consent form.

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3. Do you have local collection sites?

We have the largest collection network in the U.S. There are thousands of collection sites affiliated with us all over the United States and worldwide. If you live in the U.S., we usually can schedule you even on the same day, at a location close to your workplace or home.

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4. Do all the parties have to come to a sample collection appointment together?

No—samples do not have to be collected together. In many cases, our patients live in separate states or simply do not wish to come to an appointment together. We can schedule separate appointments for everyone involved, usually in a convenient location close to the patient’s workplace or home.

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5. How do I order a legal paternity test?

To order a test, go to our order page or call us at 1-888-362-2592. At that time, we will set up an appointment for you at one of our many collection sites to start the DNA testing process

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