If you’re considering paternity testing, the consequences of the results can be life-changing. So making an informed decision on where and how to do the test is always a top concern. As a premier DNA testing lab, two of the first things people ask us are, “Is a home paternity test like yours just as accurate as one ordered through a doctor’s office, and what are the main differences?” Also, “How much is a DNA test?” Let’s answer all these questions.
Is a Home Paternity Test as Accurate as One Ordered through a Doctor’s Office?
Short Answer: YES.
Now the details. When a paternity test is ordered by a doctor, samples are collected in the same way you would do with a home paternity testing kit: using a painless cheek swab. Some doctors may still draw blood to collect DNA and order a test called RFLP), but drawing blood is invasive and painful. Besides, the RFLP is also largely obsolete now due to the rise of more inexpensive DNA extraction and analysis techniques; as a result, cheek swabs are the widespread collection method of choice. Since DNA for one person is the same in every cell in their body, the accuracy of a test performed with cheek cells is exactly the same as a blood sample.
As long as a user follows kit directions carefully, the quality of the cheek sample when collected at home is just as good as one collected by a doctor or lab.
What about the Quality of the DNA Testing Lab?
In an apples to apples comparison, the process for extracting and processing the DNA is the same at all AABB-accredited labs, whether you use a home paternity test or one ordered by your doctor. If you choose to go through a doctor for your paternity test, be sure to ask about the accreditations of the lab used by the practice.
As an example of competency and overall excellence of home paternity testing labs, the DDC lab (parent company of HomeDNA Paternity) maintains the highest levels of accreditation possible. What this means is that you get the accurate results you expect whether you pay $139 with HomeDNA Paternity or over $400 somewhere else.
FIND OUT MORE: Buccal Swabs vs. Blood Samples for Paternity Testing
How Much Does a Paternity Test Cost?
How much does home paternity testing cost? The lab cost for an at-home test for one possible father and one child is $139.
How much does legal home paternity testing cost? The total cost for a legal paternity test with court-admissible results starts at $300.
How much is a paternity test from a doctor? Depending on what lab is used, the cost for paternity testing in either circumstance can be $400 or more.
There are big differences in DNA test cost, so be sure to do your homework before choosing.
Other Differences between a Home Paternity Test and One from a Doctor
Convenience
Home paternity testing: There’s no scenario more convenient or stress-free for participants than being able to swab their own cheeks and their child’s at home.
Doctor-ordered test: Participants generally must make a visit to an office, lab, or DNA sample collector’s location.
Court-Admissible Results
Home paternity testing: When you do an at-home, peace-of-mind test, the results are not court-admissible; this is because the court cannot verify that all participants were who they said they were at the time of testing. For results to be court-admissible, a legal paternity test must be done, wherein participants’ IDs are checked and sample collection and mailing are supervised by a third-party witness. You must call us directly at 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern) to make arrangements for a third-party witness.
Doctor-ordered test: When doctors order paternity testing, collection is generally supervised by a third-party witness, either in their office or at the lab. If legal test protocol is followed, then results are automatically court-admissible.
Comparing DNA Labs: Two Real-Life Customer Stories
Review on the Walmart Website
“Many people may be afraid to spend their money on such a product thinking that it is a scam. Well I am here to tell you that it is NOT a scam! Back in 2009, I found out I was pregnant and I knew that there were two possibilities. In July, I bought the HomeDNA home paternity test. I had no way of knowing if the results were accurate, but I ended up having to go through the child support office for a LEGAL test anyway and the results were identical. Well I find myself having to buy the HomeDNA test yet again. I didn’t hesitate this time because I already knew for a FACT that the tests were exactly what I expected them to be: ACCURATE.”
Review on the DNAtesting.com Website
“I took the home test and the results were negative. . . I was broken. I searched every website I could where people said that the results were wrong because I didn’t want to believe that the child was not mine. I decided to take a test with a reputable lab and spent $425 in addition to having paid for the HomeDNA test. After I got the second test back, I saw they were exactly the same. I thought before if HomeDNA is wrong I would expose them as frauds. Seriously, they are accurate. If you are reading my review, this is a company that I didn’t trust after I got results I didn’t want. I found reviews from people who said they would get a second test and never posted the second test results. I promised myself I would do this to help someone else and if they were wrong I promised I would expose them. Here I am telling you, you can trust them.”
Customer reviews are a great way to find out what real customers think about our home paternity test and legal paternity test services. We’re proud to maintain consistently high ratings and to help thousands of people every month get the accurate answers they’re depending on.
Buy a Home Paternity Test
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.
Resources
“How Much Does a Paternity Test Cost? – CostHelper.com.” CostHelper. CostHelper, Inc., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016. <http://health.costhelper.com/paternity-test.html>.
“Paternity Tests: Blood Tests and DNA – FindLaw.” Findlaw. Thomson Reuters, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016. <http://family.findlaw.com/paternity/paternity-tests-blood-tests-and-dna.html>.
“Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restriction_fragment_length_polymorphism>.
lynda says
My question is if me and my possible sister have the same father he passed away two weeks ago my mother passed away 8 months ago her mother is still alive but it would be too much to involve her but both of us women are looking to get the test done what it be accurate if we just did it or just the two of us any help would be greatly appreciated thank you
Identigene says
Hi, Lynda. I’m sorry about your parents. You’d have a much better chance of getting conclusive results for a siblings DNA test if your possible sister’s mother would contribute her DNA to the testing as well. I suggest you contact Identigene’s parent company, DDC, and speak with an expert who can help you determine your best options: 800-681-7162.
Nicole says
I am pregnant and there are two possible father’s will this work while I’m pregnant
Identigene says
Hi, Nicole. Identigene’s parent company, DDC, does offer a Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test while you’re pregnant. The test is for one possible father + the mother. You can learn more about it here: https://dnacenter.com/dna-paternity-test/non-invasive-prenatal-paternity-test/
Ave says
Doing a DNA test at the hospital, do we need to sign papers for that? Or dies he need to sign anything him being the father before DNA results?
Identigene says
Hi, Ave. He should not sign a birth certificate or acknowledgment of paternity before DNA results come back. You or he just needs to order the test and fill out the paperwork for the test itself. Hope this answers your questions!
Michelle says
Is it possible to use a toothbrush for a sample?
Identigene says
Hi, Michelle. We don’t recommend it, because the cheek swabs in the kit are so much more efficient at collecting DNA. If you really want to use a toothbrush instead, you can contact Identigene’s parent company, DDC, for details on what’s needed. Keep in mind there is an additional $150 non-refundable fee for viability testing to determine if there is enough DNA on the toothbrush for paternity testing. That number is 800-681-7162.
Sarah says
My brother is not sure if his children are his and would like to have their DNA tested against his own. He would really appreciate your information that home paternity tests are not admissible in court. With this knowledge, I think he will look into a mobile DNA testing service because we’ve heard that they are court-admissible while still being convenient and potentially less expensive.
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Sarah. You’re right that home paternity test results are not court admissible. This is because the identities of the participants cannot be independently verified. But for many people, at-home testing is a great solution when they don’t need to use results for court and just want an accurate answer for their own knowledge and/or peace of mind. We also offer legal testing and our lab maintains the highest levels of accreditation. In addition to at-home testing, we’ve been doing legal testing for individuals and state courts since 1995. If he looks into a mobile service, he’d be wise to check their accreditations and levels of expertise and experience. Sometimes, paying a few less bucks isn’t worth it.
Vin says
Hello! i just want to know if its necessary to get additional paternity test when i get a conclusive result? ex. if i get additional 3 or more test is there a chance that the result came different from one another?
HomeDNA Identigene says
If you got a conclusive test, you don’t need another.
Grace says
Hello! Is it possible to get a conclusive result in paternity test if one of the participant have a mutation(s)?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Grace. Yes, absolutely. Mutations are taken into account during analysis and more genetic markers can be tested to reach conclusive results, if necessary.
Diamond says
Right now I’ve been trying to do my research on whether I should go to a doctor’s office or at home because I see that it’s very expensive and I’m not trying to come out of $400 with a new baby coming and her father is denying that she is his and I really would like to know where to go when she comes has your lab ever had problems or any negative feedbacks with the way they take care of the samples
HomeDNA Identigene says
Congratulations on your upcoming new addition, Diamond! The type of test you choose really depends on what you’ll need results for. If you just want to know who the father is for your own information, then a home test is fine. If you think you might need results for child-support or custody, then you definitely want to purchase a legal, witnessed test. Our parent company DDC can arrange a legal test for you at 800-681-7162. Either way, you can be sure your results are accurate for the samples we are provided. We maintain the highest levels of accreditation in the world and each test is performed twice by independent teams.
Roger says
Hello, I believe my daughter is mine. If me and her take the is it possible that the test will say it can’t determine I’m the father sense the mother has passed away? We have no way of getting her DNA.
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Roger. The mother’s DNA can strengthen results, but it is not usually necessary in order to get conclusive results.
Ashley says
My husbands has a son who is 13 years old. I have a feeling that’s not his and he wants to get his dna checked but we don’t want his son to know what we are checking what is the best way to get their dna check and can hair samples will work?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi,Ashley. Hair samples only work if you can get the root also, so that’s probably not an option for you. If you’d like to discuss possibilities for testing without using a swab, please contact experts for our parent company DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) directly at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern).
Shae says
We took the home test and the result came back negative for the father but he wants a legal test don’t. Now because we didn’t follow the directions when we did the test he smoke cigarettes before the test a beer I swab the baby and didn’t know it it was wet enough so I touched to make sure I never let the swabs dry I just packed them up and sent them off could the have been a error some where
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Shae. Since a results report was issued, contamination was not a problem in your case. If the smoking or touching had contaminated the samples, the lab would have requested new DNA without issuing results. If DNA from the exact same participants is submitted for the legal test, then you can expect the results to be exactly the same again.
Angie says
Can you get a dna test in the doctors office that would be permissible in court? Would they mail it in or would I?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Angie. You can get a court-admissible test done through a doctor’s office if they make arrangements directly through the lab first. The kit used to collect DNA cannot originate from the doctor’s office or from the store – it must come directly from the lab. Samples cannot be mailed by the customer (patient)…they must be submitted by the party who’s supervising the test (in this case, your doctor). Hope this helps!
Sean says
I wasn’t sure if I was the father of this child so I purchased and used the home paternity test. I swabbed the child’s mouth and mine as directed on the instructions. I mailed in the samples and received a report stating 0% probability of being the father. The mother says she tested the other possible farther with the same test and received a report stating 0% probability for him as well. She is now saying that my test has to be wrong because there’s no chance it could have been anyone else.
The child had been drinking milk (not sure, but doubt it was breast milk) when I swabbed his cheek, but no other contaminants could’ve been present. What is the possibility my test gave an inaccurate negative reading? I don’t want to falsely deny a child.
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Sean. Drinking milk before swabbing can’t change DNA (and therefore change results), but it can contaminate the sample and make the DNA impossible to extract. Since you were issued results, contamination for the child’s swabs were not a problem. You didn’t mention who you tested with, but if it was an accredited lab, you can trust your results. My educated guess, based on years of experience, is that there is most likely a possible father #3, or more.