The Most Trusted Name in DNA Testing

Getting Started

1. What do I need to do to get a paternity test?
2. Can a paternity test be performed without the mother?
3. Can a paternity test be performed if the alleged father is missing or deceased?
4. There are two possible fathers, and they are related. Is this a problem?
5. Can you do a paternity test before the baby is born?
6. Do I need a physician's order or a court order to have a paternity test done?
7. Will you protect my privacy?

1. What do I need to do to get a paternity test?

Simply use our online order form or call 1-800-453-6846 to speak with our caring case managers. They will evaluate your unique situation and recommend the best DNA testing service to answer your paternity questions. When you are ready to proceed, they will arrange a sample collection appointment that is convenient for you.

(back to top)





2. Can a paternity test be performed without the mother?

Yes. If the mother's participation is not possible, we can perform a motherless paternity test at no additional charge. A motherless test requires more extensive analysis to produce conclusive results, but the results are just as accurate as those of a standard paternity test.

DDC encourages mothers to participate in paternity testing for the following reasons:

	Mothers who participate are guaranteed to receive a copy of the test results. Due to DDC's strict confidentiality policy, we are only able to release results to those tested, their authorized representatives (such as an attorney), or the tested child's legal custodian.
	Some courts require the mother to participate in a paternity test.
	The mother's participation aids in the analysis of unexpected results. Her participation is especially helpful in the rare cases when a mutation (a random change in the DNA) has affected the results.

(back to top)





3. Can a paternity test be performed if the alleged father is missing or deceased?

Several testing options are available in situations where the alleged father is missing or deceased:



	The first option that should be considered is viability testing on a sample taken from the deceased, such as stored blood or a tissue sample. (This type of sample usually comes from a coroner's or medical examiner's office.) If usable DNA is found in the sample, we can conduct a paternity test using it as the alleged father's sample.
	If no biological samples from the alleged father are available, grandparentage testing is the next option to consider. Both biological parents of the alleged father (the paternal grandparents) are required to participate in a grandparentage test. Results of this test prove only the relationship of the child to the grandparents, but most government offices treat these results as indirect evidence of paternity.
	If one or both paternal grandparents are unavailable for testing, other family relationship tests--such as genetic reconstructions and siblingship tests--may be performed to indirectly determine a child's paternity. Please call 1-800-453-6846 to discuss your situation with one of our caring and knowledgeable case managers.

(back to top)





4. There are two possible fathers, and they are related. Is this a problem?

If two possible fathers are related as full brothers or father and son, they may share many of the DNA markers used in paternity testing. This means that if proper precautions are not taken, both men could test positive as the child's biological father. DNA testing is strong enough to determine paternity in a case involving related alleged fathers, but the laboratory must be aware of the situation before the testing process begins.

DDC offers two options for cases involving alleged fathers who are related:



	Option 1: Test both alleged fathers, the child, and the mother at the same time. By comparing both alleged fathers' DNA profiles with the child's DNA profile, our expert laboratory staff can achieve accurate and conclusive test results. There is an added fee for the additional alleged father.
	Option 2: Test one alleged father with extended analysis. This option can be taken when only one of the alleged fathers is available for testing. To produce a conclusive result, we must perform extended testing and statistical analysis. There is an additional fee for the extended testing and analysis.


For more information about paternity testing with related alleged fathers, including the associated fees, please call 1-800-453-6846.

(back to top)





5. Can you do a paternity test before the baby is born?

Yes. If the mother is between 10 and 24 weeks pregnant, an OB-GYN can collect a DNA sample from the developing child through either chorionic villi sampling (10-13 weeks) or amniocentesis (14-24 weeks). The baby's prenatal sample is then compared against the mother's and alleged father's DNA samples, which are collected using the standard buccal swabbing method.

If the mother is more than 24 weeks pregnant, she must wait until the baby is born to do a paternity test. However, a newborn infant can be swabbed any time following birth, so a paternity test can be started soon after the delivery.

For more information about paternity testing during pregnancy, please visit our Prenatal Paternity Test page or call one of our helpful case managers at 1-800-453-6846.

(back to top)





6. Do I need a physician's order or a court order to have a paternity test done?

No. Private individuals can take a DNA test without a physician's request or court order. However, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) only allows clinical laboratories to examine specimens at the request of licensed physicians or other persons authorized by law to use the test results in their practice or in the performance of their official duties. If you are a resident of New York, please call 1-800-453-6846 for assistance.

(back to top)





7. Will you protect my privacy?

We take our patients' privacy very seriously, and we have the strict confidentiality policy to prove it.



	We will not release any information about your case to anyone without your authorization.
	We will always follow any special instructions you give us for communicating with you or other parties involved in your test.
	We never release test results over the phone.

(back to top)





8. Why should I choose DDC?

DDC is the world’s most trusted DNA testing laboratory. Our advantages translate into accurate, reliable testing and top-quality customer service for you. To name just a few:



	We are the only laboratory to run every test twice for 100% accuracy.
	Our laboratory has earned perfect scores on its last 16 inspections by the AABB, NYSDOH, and CAP, among others.
	We have more locations across the United States and around the world than any other DNA services provider.

Read more about DDC’s advantages by visiting our DDC vs. Other Companies page.

(back to top)