Here at IDENTIGENE we strive to provide outstanding service, which is one the reasons why we are the #1 paternity test brand. We have an expert client support team ready to answer questions about your paternity testing or any other DNA testing service we offer.
There are paternity test questions that are asked fairly often. Here are answers to a few of those questions.
1. How long does the paternity testing process take?
Once samples from all participants involved in the paternity test are received at the IDENTIGENE laboratory in Cincinnati, the testing process takes approximately two (2) business days. You can also opt for 1-day and same-day results for an additional fee. If you receive your paternity test results a little later, don’t be concerned: they are still accurate. It simply indicates the DNA samples required some additional testing.
2. When do I pay for the paternity test?
There are a few different ways to pay for the paternity testing. Payment does need to be received in full before testing results are released, so you want to make sure payment is made as soon as possible. The order form included in the IDENTIGENE Paternity Test Collection Kit asks how you want to pay for your paternity test.
- Include credit/debit card information for payment or end in a money order with your samples
- Send in a money order
- You can also send in a personal check: just be sure to include your driver’s license state and number in the details field.
- The final option is to call in to our client support team to prepay for your paternity test over the phone. If you do prepay you will be given a reference number to place on your order form for confirmation that the paternity test has been paid for.
There are two choices for receiving results. You may choose to receive them online using a secure login and password set up when your order is placed (you will indicate what you want your login and password to be on the order form or a hard-copy can be mailed to you for an additional fee.
4. Why can’t I login using my login and password right now?
Your login and password will not be active on our website until your results are ready!
When sending in your samples for your paternity test by mail you will want to give it 7-10 days to reach the laboratory. If it has been more than 10 days since your samples were mailed , please contact our Client Support Team at 800-344-9583 (Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Eastern Time for more information.
If you have additional questions, feel free to check out our handy online Help Center.
KYLE says
How accurate were paternity test 27 years ago. Someone just got a hold of me claiming that he is my half brother. If you were to look at him you could bleive that. I guess when I was a baby there was a paternity test taken by blood, and the results came back as 99.9% my dads son. Which means this person making the accusations wouldnt be my half brother. I guess my Question is. Should I get another test done? or not be too concerned about it.
Amber says
Sibling DNA tests are available if there is a question. It sounds like you are questioning if this person could actually be your half brother. There are different sibling DNA tests available, it sounds like you have different mother’s and are questioning the link with the same father. This would be the half vs. unrelated sibling DNA test. I always recommend knowing for sure if there is ever a question. Just for the peace of mind!
Maria says
If the father already took a DNA test but he doesn’t want to take it again can you match his number 2 to the child that is going to do the DNA test
Identigene says
Hi, Maria. It depends on how long ago the first test was done and also whether or not the first test was a legal, witnessed test or a home test. For a free and confidential consultation, give us a call at 800-344-9583.
Teonna says
Ok if I cant get my childs father to do a dna test but his half sister is willing (same father different mother)is it possible and accurate? We really need to know asap please help
KD says
Hi Teonna,
Thank you for contacting IDENTIGENE. I will submit your question and get back with you ASAP.
Aubrey says
can I be forced to maintain a child I never agreed is mine without doing the DNA test first?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hey, Aubrey. That is a question best answered by a family-law attorney.
KD says
Hi Teonna,
For an avuncular test (Aunt/uncle testing with the child) the aunt/uncle must be a full sibling with the alleged father. There may be other tests you can perform, I would recommend contacting our client support team to review your unique situation and they are more then happy to review your case and determine which test would work for you. The number is 888-404-4363. Good luck!
Jasmine says
Ok if my baby just finished a bottle of milk and my ex boyfriend let him suck on the q tip instead of swabbing his cheeks is it a possibilty he did the test wrong?? He just dif it so quickly and took the qtip out his mouth.
KD says
Dear Jasmine,
We recommend swabbing the inside of a child’s cheek for about 60 seconds in order to assure a proper DNA sample. However, if your ex-boyfriend sent in the sample already, we can try and grab the DNA from the child’s swab with what cells the buccal swab did grab. If our laboratory cannot get DNA off of the swab, they will contact you or your ex-boyfriend for a re-swab and send you new buccal swabs in the mail. We recommend you contact client support with your specific situation for more direction. The number is 888-404-4363. Thanks!
Ariel says
We mailed in a swab test from another cheaper company & the probability came back over 99% probable. The mother put down that the child was Hispanic like my bf (tested possible father). The mother is half hispanic & half Caucasian. The other father was not tested nor the mother. The other suspected father is Caucasian. Could the results be inaccurate? Should we take a blood test or try your swab test? Its really hard to find help on this, so I appreciate your time. Thank you!
Identigene says
Hi Ariel,
Great questions about ethnicity and accuracy. I understand that you tested through another company that is not IDENTIGENE? You may need to contact the facility you have tested through to inquire how many markers they test, what precautions they use to make sure their test is accurate and the role ethnicity plays in their results. You may also ask yourself if you witnessed the collection of the samples as well as sending them to the facility. Typically, DNA paternity results are disclosed with the probability of paternity either as a 0% if he is not the father and, typically, 99.99% is the profiles of the alleged father and child match based on the genetic markers that were tested. Ethnicity, however, aids in determining CPI (Combined Probability Index) or the probability of paternity within the general population of the alleged father.
I understand you may have a concern with the accuracy of a swab test vs. blood test. If that is the case, the accuracy of both tests are the same. Cheek cells collected on swabs with the IDENTIGENE DNA Paternity Test kit yield results with the same accuracy as blood samples. The DNA is the same, whether it is extracted from cheek cells or blood.
Hopefully we helped in providing answers to your questions. If you have any other questions regarding this, or would like to test with IDENTIGENE please give us a call and we can help! IDENTIGENE adheres to strict scientific guidelines for every test. Most test types have a court-admissible option as well. You can call us at 1-888-404-GENE, Monday- Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. ET. Thank you for your questions!
anonymous says
I just had a test done and it came back the guy i slept with is the father but the thing is that he never finished inside of me.how could this b? I was trying to get pregnant by my.ex bf and he finished several times.how could this happen???
Identigene says
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for your patience. Did you test at IDENTIGENE? If not, you may want to inquire their testing process since we cannot comment for other DNA testing labs. Were you able to witness the collection of the DNA samples? If you have any doubt with your results, it is important you are 100% sure you sent in the samples you wished to be tested. Mistakes can be made intentionally and unintentionally, we trust our customers in providing the correct samples. IDENTIGENE delivers 100% accurate results based on the samples we receive. This means we cannot know if the sample labeled “John Doe” is in fact a sample from John Doe. I hope this information helps. If you have any more questions, please call us at 1-888-404-GENE, Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM ET. Thank you for your comment!
Aimee says
looked online Monday morning & it had said processing test, it is now wednesday. so does that mean I will get the results back today? it says it takes 2 business days.
IDENTIGENE says
Hi, Aimee. You should, yes! You are welcome to call our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363 and they’ll be happy to give you more details.
Steve williams says
Hi, I bought the kit from the drugstore, me, the child, and the mother swabb cheeks but the wrapper that the Q-tips are in, after we got done swabbing our cheeks for 30 sec we put them back in the wrapper then placed in the envelopes. “Thought it’ll be more safe” could they still get the samples ? another question, I made an account online with my email and created a password and i also paid the 89 dollars online as well. I have a confirmation number and i got an email saying it’ll take two business for me to get my results or the samples i mailed to you guys do it take two business days ?
IDENTIGENE says
Hi, Steve. Sorry it took till now to answer. We are closed on the weekends. Each kit contains detailed directions on how to submit samples. If those directions aren’t followed and the samples somehow become contaminated before they are mailed in, the lab will be able to tell and will ask for recollection of samples. It doesn’t affect your results, but it just means you have to wait a little longer for results. If you used the business reply envelope included in the kit, it will take 5-10 days for your samples to arrive at the lab. AFTER they get here, you get your results back in two (2) business days.
You’ll get two emails from us:
(1) An email when your samples arrive at the lab
(2) An email when your results are ready to view
If you have any more questions about your case, you are welcome to contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363 (M-F, 9 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern). You can also do a live chat during these same hours if that’s more convenient for you. Hope this helps!
anonymous says
Hello, I have a friend he doesn’t speak English very well. but he wanted to know a few questions… he has been with his girlfriend for a few years and had a baby girl together, eventually they broke up and went their separate way.. she met someone new and they didn’t work out, she got back With her baby fathers and someone she came up pregnant,he don’t think it’s his baby, but she keep telling him it’s his baby but he have doubts about it… he wasn’t having sex with her only when they got back together! every time when they get into fights she yells at him and say its not his baby. so what he did was he did a home DNA with her, the little girl is now 1 yr olds. but anyway he wanted to know could she have switch samples and swabbed her other daughter they have together ? he wasn’t in the room while she was doing it, he was sitting in her living room while her two girls was in the room with her… when the results came back the baby girl came back to be his, I mean he’s very excited but the way she was talking to him every time they got into arguements she’ll say it’s not his baby but when they on good terms she’ll say it is his… I don’t know but he wanted me to ask you guys what should he do about the situation ? do another home DNA over and be in front of her while she doing it…
IDENTIGENE says
Hi! Unless all participants are in the same room watching each other take samples and sealing the envelopes, the baby’s mother definitely could have swabbed the first baby instead of the second. You can do another test where you all take samples together and mail them off together. Or you can pay extra to have a third-party collector supervise collection and mailing. Hope this helps! If you have more questions, you’re welcome to call us at 888-404-4363. Your friend can call as well…we have Spanish-speaking staff.
anonymous says
Thank you I spoke with someone. I mailed the samples Oct, 30th 2015, I live in Florida, how long will it take for you guys to receive the samples ? And when will I get a update about the results ? I paid the $89 online.,
IDENTIGENE says
If you sent samples using the business-reply envelope included in the kit, then it takes 5-10 days for the samples to arrive here at the lab. Once they arrive, you’ll get an email. After samples arrive, your results are back in two (2) business days and you’ll get another notification email.
anonymous says
Yes I mailed it with your envelope.
IDENTIGENE says
Then you have your answer! We wish you all the best. If you have any questions during testing or about your results once they’re posted, don’t hesitate to call our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363.
Nicole says
If the father is albino can that affect the results giving a false negative?
IDENTIGENE says
Hi, Nicole. No, it won’t.
Robert Casella says
Can you match the DNA for a grandfather, son and grandson?
Admin says
Hi, Robert! Yes, indeed. Give us a call at 888-404-4363 (M-F, 9 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern), and one of our experts will be happy to explain your options and/or arrange the test for you.
Jenny frye says
Can the child support get someone for child support if a BABY has a father on her birth certificate and died not long later and a DNA test comes back that someone else is the real birth Father
Identigene says
Hi, Jenny. That really depends on the paternity laws in your individual state. I recommend you contact a family-law attorney or other legal or state resource where you live to get the answer to your question. Good luck!
Sally Benson says
Would a test come back inconclusive or would you be able to tell if the father used the same swab for himself and the child?
No one but him and the child were present for the test and he doesn’t believe that he’s not the father and everyone else says its not his…just wondering what the test results would potentially look like if that were to happen OR would there be some kind of error code/inconclusive if both were swabbed.
Identigene says
Hi, Sally. If a man and the child test, results are almost always either a 0% or a 99.9% or higher probability of paternity. The only time such a test is inconclusive nowadays is usually if there is another possible father other than the man being tested and the two men are close relatives. If there are two DNA profiles on a swab, the lab suspends testing and asks for new samples before issuing test results. Testing instruments in the lab are very sophisticated now!
Erica says
My child’s father and I did a DNA test and when I called they informed me that there was a lab hold and he would have to call since my name was on the account. I would like to know why would they place a lab hold on the testing?
Identigene says
There are many reasons why a test might be put on hold. The most common ones are that the paperwork isn’t complete or filled out correctly or that there was an issue with the DNA samples submitted for testing.
Debbie says
Ok, long story short…My sister and I found out we are probably not full siblings. We have the same mother but probably different fathers, possibly brothers. Both supposed fathers are deceased and so is our mother. Would it be possible to test myself, my sister, and our cousin…the daughter of the other supposed father and see if my sister and I are full OR half siblings, or d if my sister and our cousin are half siblings? What would be the chance of getting an accurate result? Also, what would that kind of testing cost? Please email any info you can. Thank you for your time! Debbie
Identigene says
Hi, Debbie. Without your mother’s participation and/or the participation of your cousin’s mother, there is no guarantee of getting conclusive results. I just want to give you that caution up front. The cost starts at $329. I suggest you contact our parent company, DDC, directly to see what your best options are for testing and to get specifics about pricing.That number is 800-681-7162. Thanks for reaching out and good luck!
ValB says
I slept with my ex’s full brother and I got pregnant. I told my ex he was the father but I know his brother is the father. Is there any way if I just test me, the baby and my ex that the test could say my ex is the father?
Identigene says
Hi, Val. The brothers share 50% of their DNA, so it depends on which DNA they share. Ideally, you would test both possible fathers with the child. If you can only test your ex, then it is absolutely essential that you let the lab know that the other possible father is full brother to the man being tested. That way, they can test additional markers, if necessary.
Anonymous says
I lost one of the swab packets, and I already used the 2 I had for me(mother) and the supposed father. what should I do now?
Identigene says
Give us a call at 800-344-9583 for direction. Thanks!
Denis says
Hello,
are the tests fully anonymous?
Identigene says
Hi, Denis. Your question isn’t very specific, so please clarify further. Thanks!
B says
I mailed samples out on 12/11 and I have yet to receive a email that it has arrived at the lab. It is now 14 days with the exception of the holiday monday.. should I be concerned I paid online.
Identigene says
Hi, B. Please give us a call at 800-344-9583 and we’ll be happy to see what’s happening.
April says
Can a brother and sister with the same mother, do the test to determine if they have the same father?
Identigene says
Hi, April. Yes, they can, although the possibility of getting conclusive results is much higher if your mother is willing to contribute her DNA too. For more information, you’re welcome to call us during business hours at 888-404-4363 (M-F, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern).
JOHNNY says
I received 0% chance on being father. I heard some labs would run test again to make sure it was correct. Is that your protocol as well?
Identigene says
Hi, Johnny. Yes, we run every test twice. You can be sure your test results are correct for the samples that were provided to us.
jing says
Will a paternity test show if one fathered a child decades ago? Someone just came forward and said she is my husband’s daughter put up for adoption 50 yrs ago and he is not sure. Is it possible to know if indeed he had a child using ONLY his dna?
Identigene says
Hi, Jing. Yes, in most cases only the possible father’s and the child’s DNA are required. The mother’s DNA is only required rarely. They should go ahead and test if your husband wants to. Keep in mind that if results are needed for anything legal (death benefits, etc.), then they should do a witnessed chain-of-custody test with court-admissible results. We can make arrangements for that type of test if he decides it’s needed: 800-344-9583.
Eddie says
I’m likely the father of a child from a long distance non – exclusive relationship.
Mom and baby live outside the US. I’m going to visit for the first time since the baby was born in a few weeks.
Mom wants the test too. She had another partner, but conceiving with him would have meant contraceptive failure.
The other possible dad lives close to mom, knows she was pregnant and that he was with her around the time the baby was conceived. He wore protection, knows his chances of being the dad are very small and offered to take a test, but that would only prove that he isn’t the father. It wouldn’t prove whether or not I was.
Mom wants to remove any tiny doubt she has that I am the father. Other guy wants to remove any tiny doubt that he has that he is the father. I am excited about being a dad, and I want to remove any doubts before I acknowledge paternity and get anymore emotionally invested in fatherhood than I am.
Question: Will buying the test, taking it with me, doing the swabs and bringing them home with me on a 3 1/2 hour flight prior to sending them in via USPS affect the accuracy or integrity of the test?
Identigene says
Hi, Eddie. As long as the swabs are put in the paper sample envelopes (not in the plastic packaging they came in), and are kept cool and dry, they should actually be fine for up to six months.
Yania says
Hi can I delete my account
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Yania. Yes, of course! Read section 5.3 in our Privacy Policy for instructions on how to do so: https://dnatesting.com/paternity-testing-privacy-policy-for-dna-paternity-testing-services/
Allie says
Can a grandparent and grandchild take a regular home DNA test. Would the results be accurate
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Allie. No, a paternity test and grandparent test are not interchangeable. In a paternity test, the answer given is whether or not the man tested is considered the biological father. A grandparent test requires more analysis. If you need a grandparent test because the possible father isn’t available or willing to test, please contact our parent company DDC directly at 800-681-7162.
Allison says
I mailed my samples in on Tuesday July 2. Do you know approximately when I would receive results?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Allison. Once samples are received at the lab, results are posted in two (2) business days. How soon your samples arrive at the lab depends on the method you chose to deliver those samples.
Allison says
One more question how many business days does it take samples to reach the lab by standard mail?
HomeDNA Identigene says
If you used the postage-paid envelope included in the kit, please allow 5-10 business days (not including weekends) for USPS to deliver them.
Allison says
Sent our test off on Tuesday July 2nd. Got results today july 12.. thanks identigene for giving me a peace of mind!! It was accurate and fast
HomeDNA Identigene says
So glad we could help you Allison and thanks for testing with us. We’d love it if you would leave us a review if you haven’t already: https://dnatesting.com/home-paternity-test-reviews/
Sharon says
I was wonder if i bought the home kit did I have to send in any money at all because i read on the box and on the mail order form (that i didn’t mail in i only mailed the samples) how do i get my results i sent it in the mail on 4/10/2020 but i also didn’t leave an email i just left my number
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Sharon. The test must be paid for in full before results are released. You can still register it and pay online here, if you have the bar code from the box: https://cart.dnatesting.com/
You must provide an email address and login password in order to access your results online. If you are unable to register your kit online because you no longer have the box, call customer service at 888-404-4363.