It may not always be clear who the child of a parent is immediately following conception and/or the birth of a child. If a woman has multiple partners, or is believed to have had multiple partners, doubt may be cast over the biological parentage of the child. This can be a significant piece of evidence in child custody and/or child support cases. Unfortunately, these tests can also be costly, particularly if one parent is expected to pay the bill--the American Pregnancy Association reports these costs may range from $400 to $2,000, depending on where you live and what type of testing is required.
Step 1
Locate a DNA testing center that is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. An accredited center will be reliable and provide accurate results that will hold up in court, if needed. You can find accredited DNA testing locations by contacting the American Association of Blood Banks or by calling the American Pregnancy Association at 1-800-798-0580.
Step 2
Call multiple locations to find the cheapest rate, if you are the one paying for the test and are on a budget. You might also want to ask about wait times for the results, if you are in a hurry--the American Pregnancy Association reports that these results often come back within five days.
Step 3
Decide what type of paternity test you need. Typically, prenatal DNA testing--testing done while the baby is still in the womb--is more expensive than DNA testing done on a baby once it is conceived.
Step 4
Go into the office at your scheduled time and allow the attending physician or medical professional to take a sampling of DNA-coded material off your body. Oftentimes, a strand of hair is sufficient, although saliva and blood are also sometimes used.
Step 5
Use the results of a paternity test to place the father's name on a birth certificate, if necessary. This is done by filling out an acknowledgement of paternity form at the hospital. If the father is unwilling to sign this form, the mother will be the sole name listed on the birth certificate, but she can take the father to court in an attempt to receive child support or other concessions.
