Options to Consider for Paternity Testing tagged: , , , , ,

Options to Consider for Paternity Testing

Posted by Paternity Test in DNA Paternity Testing

If you need to get a paternity test done for legal reasons or you just want some peace of mind, it’s essential that you are familiar with paternity testing options available to consumers these days. DNA paternity testing can sometimes be expensive, so understanding your options and their price ranges can help you make an informed decision. Since more options are available to consumers, paternity testing has also become more affordable, making it the perfect time to choose the right option for you.

Prenatal Paternity Tests

You may want to know who the father is before the child is born and, in these cases, you’ll need to perform a prenatal paternity test. Unfortunately, the only way to perform DNA testing on a fetus is for a doctor to do either an amniocentesis or a chorionic villus sampling. Either way, there are risks to the baby and you should discuss this DNA testing option with you doctor and assess the risks before agreeing to this option. Prenatal paternity tests are admissible in court, however, should you have to choose this option for legal reasons.

Legally Required Paternity Tests

Only certain DNA testing results are admissible in court, so you need to be aware of this before proceeding with a paternity test if you must produce admissible paternity test results or might have to do so in the near future. Legal reasons include establishing paternity to ask for child support  or custody.

In order for a legal paternity test to hold up in court, the DNA testing must be conducted by a neutral third party, meaning the person taking the DNA samples must not be acquainted with either of the parties. Court ordered DNA testing will still cost you money to conduct the test, but it’s not the most expensive option available, meaning that it’s still affordable for most.

Paternity Tests at Home

If you just want to conduct a paternity test for your own information and not for a court case, then you can consider doing paternity testing in your own home. These paternity tests are very affordable. However, you should choose one that uses a lab that tests 16 genetic markers in the DNA in order to determine a match. This ensures the greatest accuracy. Also, the DNA testing lab should be AABB accredited.

Paternity Tests Using Non-Standard DNA Samples

If your child will be aware of what you’re doing when you collect a DNA sample (usually by swabbing the inside of the cheek), and you don’t want your child to know that you’re conducting a paternity test, then you might consider collecting a non-standard DNA sample from your child. This typically means using a child’s toothbrush. This DNA testing method allows the lab to compare DNA from the toothbrush to traditional DNA samples (cheek swabs) from the father to determine paternity discreetly.

You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option described above so that you can make the best choice for paternity testing that suits your circumstances and your budget. If doing a paternity test at home, remember to research the DNA testing lab to make sure they will accurately determine paternity for you and your child.