A paternity test is used to examine the DNA of the mother, child and potential father to determine whether the man has fathered the child. Paternity testing is used if a woman has been with multiple men at the time of conception or to settle a court case where a man has denied fathering the child. Paternity testing can be done before or after the child is born. Clinical laboratories offer confidential paternity testing and can be used to collect samples from all parties involved.
Step 1
Find an accredited laboratory to perform the paternity test. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that the lab you use be approved by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). To find a lab in your area, ask your doctor for a recommendation or use the AABB website.
Step 2
Pay the fee for the paternity testing to be performed. Check before the test for the exact amount you will need to pay for the test since insurance policies may not cover it. Rates typically fall between $400 and $2,000.
Step 3
Show identification prior to giving a DNA sample to a lab. Government-issued photo identification must be shown prior to testing. A photo will be taken of each party as well at the time of testing to prove identity.
Step 4
Provide a sample to be tested. During the paternity test, a lab technician will take a sample of cells from either the cheek or via blood draw. The cells will be sent to the lab for testing and results typically will be available within a week.
Tips and Warnings
- The man still can be tested for paternity even if the mother is unavailable or unwilling to provide a sample. In some cases, it also is possible to test for paternity using a sample collected from a blood relative of the alleged father. If you want the paternity test done before the baby is born, you need to request that the test be ordered by your doctor. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling are two tests that take a sample of cells from the unborn baby to compare to the proposed father's DNA.
Things You'll Need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Money
