Who am I?
As a trusted and reputable DNA testing company, our scientists perform thousands of paternity and other relationship tests each year. Even with the high number of paternity test and other types of analyses we run, we are careful to remember that behind every results report is a family seeking answers to some of life’s most important questions:
- Am I the father?
- Is this my grandchild?
- Is the man who raised me my biological father?
- Who am I?
The specific reasons for getting tests are as different as the people who request them: medical history, immigration, child support, custody, curiosity, or just peace of mind. Each situation is unique, which is why the our expert client-support specialists are ready to listen and then help determine which relationship test is right for you. After all, a straight paternity test kit you can get at the store may not be right for your situation. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of relationship tests, along with the advantages and possible disadvantages of each.
Paternity Testing
If your question is one of direct paternity (Is this my child? Is this person the father of the child?), then a straight paternity test is the simplest, most cost-effective choice. It requires the child’s DNA, along with the alleged father’s. Each HomeDNA IDENTIGENE paternity kit comes with enough cheek swabs to also test the mother, and although her participation is not a must, we highly recommend that she send in her samples too in order to safeguard against inconclusive results.
Peace-of-mind Paternity Test
For a peace-of-mind test, you just pick up a kit online or at your local retailer. Samples can be collected at home and you send them directly to the lab. Samples can be sent from multiple locations, if one or more participants live in a different area. This is the test you want to do if you’re just using the results for your own information or to put your mind at ease.
Advantages:- Samples can be collected in private using an at-home kit.
- Lab fees are low.
- Testing results are not court-admissible. This is because participants are collecting and submitting their own samples, and therefore the court cannot determine if participants are who they say they are
- If the potential father is not willing to participate or cannot for whatever reason, then more expensive family-reconstruction testing is required (see below)
- This type of testing is not currently an option for New York residents. New Yorkers can purchase a kit at the store, but (per New York law) testing must be requested by a lawyer or physician. A Legal Paternity test procedure must be followed (see below)
Legal Paternity Test
If you are going through a paternity-related court process or anticipate that you may need to use results in court at some point in the future, then a legal paternity test is right for you. With this type of testing, an independent third-party DNA Collector is responsible for collecting (or supervising collection of) DNA samples. The Collector checks ID to verify identity and personally sends samples to the lab. Once at the lab, the testing process is exactly the same as it is for a peace-of-mind test.
Advantages:- There are qualified Collectors all over the country
- The process itself is simple
- DNA test results are court-admissible
- There are additional fees associated with the collections process
Immigration Paternity Test
An immigration paternity test is usually conducted if an individual is seeking a visa, passport, or citizenship. When no other credible proof of relationship exists, such as a birth certificate, school record, etc, then a DNA test may be used to prove a biological relationship.
Advantages:- This DNA test, if done correctly, is internationally-recognized as proof of a biological relationship
- Because this test follows the same process as a legal-paternity one, you can be sure all participants’ samples are verified
- It is a lengthier process than a peace-of-mind test
- As with most immigration matters, it is necessary to go through red tape. Fortunately, when you work with an accredited lab like IDENTIGENE, a lot of the legwork is done for you
Family Reconstruction Testing
If a paternity test is not possible, either because the potential father has passed away, cannot participate or chooses not to participate, family reconstruction testing can be done to help determine paternity or to establish other biological relationships (grandparent, aunt, etc.).
Some things to keep in mind:
The lab fee for family reconstruction testing is more than the fee for a straight paternity test because much more extensive analysis is required.
- Depending on who is participating in the testing, results may be inconclusive
- In any family reconstruction test, the rule is: The more participants are involved, the more likely you are to get a conclusive result. The cost is higher, but it’s well worth it!
DNA Testing for Grandparents
If a paternity test is not an option, the next best choice is to test a child with the potential father’s biological parents and the child’s mother. Both grandparents’ participation is optimal, but if only one grandparent is available, a percentage of probability can still be established.
LEARN MOREDNA Testing for Siblings
You can test a child in question with the known child of a potential father. There are different types of testing depending on whether they are full or half siblings.
DNA Testing for Aunts/Uncles
Testing for an aunt or uncle involves testing the child in question with a full sibling of the potential father.
The Bottom Line
A straight paternity test (either peace-of-mind or legal) with child, potential father, and mother as participants is definitely the best way to confidently determine paternity. It’s also the most affordable test. If a potential father is initially unwilling to provide a sample, we highly recommend talking it through with him. Ultimately, knowing the truth is best for everyone involved.
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 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.
Shawntique Saunders says
I am interested in getting a blood test to determine if someone is my sibling. The father is deceased so i would like to know if we shared the same father. Is their a teat for this? Any information will be appreciated.
IDENTIGENE says
Hi, Shawntique. For DNA testing, obtaining samples through drawing blood is no longer necessary. Swabbing the inside of cheeks works just as well. As for your specific question about siblings, here is a great article showing all your options. Hope it helps! http://dnatesting.com/paternity-testing-without-the-father/
robin says
I need to know what kit to buy my mom and dad have passed away but I have sisters who say my dad is not my dad.my dads sister live next door from me ;so can u help me please to know what kit at store I can buy that will tell me my answerplease help me .thank u
Identigene says
Hi, Robin. The kit in stores is for straight paternity testing, but we may be able to help you with a family reconstruction test. Please call us directly at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern) to speak with one of our experts.
LaShonda Hicks says
we need to do a dna test for a child my husband is paying child support for and the mother had someone portray to be him in court in order to start the case and they now reside In a different state an we need to know how to go about obtaining a dna and the fees
Admin says
Hi, LaShonda! What you’ll need for court is a legal DNA test, which we can arrange for you easily. What a legal test does is maintain a chain of custody of DNA samples, so that the court is sure that everyone being tested is who they say they are. One of our representatives will set an appointment for you in your area with an approved DNA sample Collector who will check IDs, witness DNA collection, and mail in the samples for you. The lab fee to test one child + one possible father is $89, plus there is a $40 per participant collection fee. Since you live in different states, we can make separate arrangements for both parties. Give us a call at 888-404-4363.
Ruth says
Need clarification please. The father of our 2 little ones is deceased. His parents are not willing to do a DNA test to prove their son was their father. The deceased fathered another child (making this child half brother to our 2). My question is whether or not testing could be done among the siblings? It is confirmed that the deceased was the other child’s father (the DNA test was done through IDENTIGENE last April)
If possible how do I go about cost, etc. Also we live in different states.
Identigene says
Hi, Ruth. Yes, our parent company, DDC, does half-sibling tests all the time. Is the mother willing to test also? It’s even more optimal if the mothers of both children are willing to test. I suggest you contact us directly at 800-681-7162. Pricing starts at about $329, and living in different states is not a problem.
Jessica says
Need a little help. My ex and I have 2 children already. I recently gave birth. The father is currently incarcerated and wants to know if the baby that I just gave birth to his. Is it possible to test 1 of our 2 children in place of the father?
Identigene says
Hi, Jessica. Yes, Identigene’s parent company, DDC, does sibling testing. There are two things you need to know: (1) You should also include your DNA in the test, and (2) This type of test starts at $299. This is considerably more than a straight paternity test because it requires much more extensive analysis. You’re welcome to contact us directly at 800-681-7162 for a confidential consultation with one of our experts.
Ashley says
Can the swabs be used to swab the nose instead of the cheeks?
Identigene says
Hi, Ashley. You wouldn’t be able to collect enough DNA for testing if you swab the nose, plus there’s a high risk of getting a contaminated sample due to nasal matter. Stick with the cheeks!
Hazel says
Hello I wanted to know if he is my real dad but I don’t want him to get involved but in a part of you writing it said it would be better if there were more participants involved. So I am not sure what to do in this type of situation. Can you please help me?
Identigene says
Hi, Hazel. If you don’t want to involve the possible father in testing, you can test with his siblings, his parents (if they are still living), and his known children. It’s best if your mother can test with you too. Using DNA to determine a relationship is like putting together a puzzle: the more pieces you have, the clearer the picture. Our parent company, DDC, does family-reconstruction analysis; you’re welcome to call us at 800-681-7162 for expert advice.
Garith says
My mother has told me in March that my biological father passed away in February and I don’t have a way to swap his cheek because he has already been buried. I have a comb with his skin cells, a toothbrush he used, and a bottle of his chew tobacco spit. Can any of these be used to determine if he is my biological father or not?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Garith. Although cheek swabs are the norm, there is a possibility we can do testing with the types of samples you describe. Be advised there is a $150 non-refundable fee for testing the viability of the sample. Please call our parent company DDC to discuss your best options: 800-681-7162.
Li says
Hey there, I wanted to know how accurate the results are . My fiancé completed a dna test for a child and mother and the results say 99.98 paternity. There’s another man who’s on her birth certificate who’s saying he’s her father. Do both fathers need to be tested?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Li. You didn’t also list the Combined Paternity Index, but your fiance got very conclusive results. Had it been a legal test, a court would name him the father. That being said, there’s always the tiniest of tiny chances that the other man could be the biological father.
George says
I have been question for 44yrs now, I had a relationship and I ask the mother to have a DNA test she refuse to take one, so I relocated to others states since the birth of the child, now since she has become a woman, I have ask her to have one as well, in the last 19 yrs she is very angry and refuse to have one.
How can a DNA be taken out of state?
I live in Florida. And she lives in calf.
Do you have any solutions?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, George. Are you saying she’s agreeing to test, now that she’s an adult? If so, you’re welcome to contact our parent company, DNA Diagnostics Center, directly. We can send DNA-collection materials out directly to parties who live in different states: 800-681-7162.
Derek says
can I test both of my possible children with one test?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Derek. You can, although you’ll have to pay a separate lab fee for the second child.