FAQs Regarding DNA Testing Process – Prices

For more than 25 years, the PaternityUSA.com team has proudly served families across the globe, delivering trusted and accurate DNA test results with exceptional case security and customer care. We are committed to providing the highest quality testing services at the most affordable prices because we believe families deserve to know the truth. This translates into the most accurate and reliable testing in the industry and our world-class customer care team is here to support you every step of the way - even after you get your result.

All test kits contain complete collection instructions. The collection process is simple. Samples are collected through mouth swabs. The swabs should be rubbed against the inner cheek and gums, on each quadrant of the mouth. The DNA will be in skin cells that are collected on the swabs in this procedure, not in the saliva. The samples should be placed in sample envelopes as instructed, label the envelopes, then put all sample envelopes the included prepaid mailing envelope to be sent by mail back in for testing.

At PaternityUSA, we work to bring the highest quality tests at the lowest possible prices. Our listed prices include testing at a FULLY accredited laboratory and test results. All lab fees are included. Don't forget that we also provide free USPS shipping, or expedited shipping options for you to have a collection kit as soon as possible. Other options are available through our easy to use shopping cart so you can customize your DNA test for your exact testing scenario.

All tests are ran twice to ensure every result is accurate. The genetics team employs specific testing procedures to protect against the accidental switching of samples and to maintain the complete confidentiality of our customers. For both legal testing and at home testing, samples are processed the same way in lab. The difference is in the collection process - either at home or in a clinic/doctor's office. 

A buccal swab is soft and resembles a large Q-Tip. It is used to collect a sample of cheek cells by simply rubbing the inside of the cheeks. It is as accurate as blood, as the DNA is the same. A person should, however, abstain from smoking, drinking coffee or tea for a few hours before taking a sample, and smokers should rinse and brush their cheeks with a toothbrush before swabbing. We ask that you allow the samples to dry completely to avoid contaminating the DNA material.

A child inherits DNA from the mother’s egg (maternal chromosomes) and the father’s sperm (paternal chromosomes). Each parent contributes half of the child’s DNA. The child (and every person) has pairs of chromosomes, half coming from the mother and half from the father. For each location (“locus”, plural “loci”) in a chromosome pair there is a specific DNA sequence in each chromosome. A DNA parentage test works by identifying the specific DNA sequences for multiple loci in the mother, child, and father. If the mother and father are the parents of the child, the two DNA sequences at each locus in the child’s chromosomes must have been inherited from each parent. By determining these DNA sequences, paternity or other familial relationships can be established. For more information, see How To Interpret A Parentage Test Report.

The immigration process can be a little complicated but we are here to help. Lab experts handle hundreds of immigration test cases each year. In most cases, where one person is in the USA and the other(s) in another country, you can arrange a convenient collection appointment for the US resident near their location. At the same time a collection kit is shipped to the embassy for the international parties. The embassy or their representative will contact your loved one to arrange that collection appointment. Return shipping to the lab is included as well. When samples are all in the lab, testing will begin. When testing is complete the result will be emailed to you, and the original will go to the requesting agency - either the USCIS or embassy.

When two people have related mothers and want to see if they have the same father, or believe their fathers could be related, a siblingship test will not produce an accurate result if there is a cousin relationship in the case. In this testing scenario, a paternity or maternity test with the parent in question would be the best solution. Other testing options may be a male lineage Y-STR test for males, or an X-SV female lineage test to look for a common female line.

The avuncular test will only produce an accurate result report with an aunt or uncle who is a full sibling to the alleged father, meaning they share the same mother and father. If a grandparent or other relative is available, testing with them instead may be a better option. Please contact a case manager at (877) 786-9543 for more information.

In most cases today, medical examiners, coroners or hospitals will keep a DNA sample of a deceased person for future use in DNA evaluations. The decedent's next of kin will need to authorize the release of the DNA for testing and a copy of a death certificate must be submitted along with other consent paperwork. Forensic processing fees may apply depending upon what type of sample can be provided for the deceased individual. These tests are conducted as legally binding chain of custody tests, and the results are notarized and accredited. For more information on this type of testing please contact a case manager at (877) 786-9543.

f you would like to perform a DNA test with a sample other than a cheek swab, we can perform a viability study on a number of items to attempt to get a DNA profile for testing. Common non-standard sampling includes (but is not limited to): hair (6-8 strands plucked with the root attached), toenail or fingernail clippings, ear swabs (q-tips with earwax), mucous on a tissue, blood on a band-aid, etc. If you have a question about a sample you would like tested please contact a case manager at (877) 786-9543 for more information.

The DNA tests are processed in the laboratory exactly the same using the highest testing standards and state of the art technology. The difference is that legally-binding tests require a witness, proof of identity, and special chain of custody procedures. The basic Home Test Kit therefore is not legally binding and results are only for informational use, or personal knowledge. It is intended as a discrete and private way whereby families can resolve relationship questions without involving outside parties. We also offer a Court-Admissible Paternity Test Kit that requires a disinterested witness (your doctor or one of our network clinic locations) to oversee sample collection, verify identities and keep the chain of custody.

Yes, although including the mother will make sure the test is as conclusive as possible, the results of testing a father and child are usually either a 99+% positive or 0% negative, and are still sufficient to be acceptable in a court of law. We offer an Accuracy Guarantee for a paternity test with the mother included.

In a matter as important as DNA testing, especially for court-admissible cases, it is never good to leave room for doubt. Ideally, if you are having a test other than a paternity or maternity test performed, the known parent(s), usually the mother or mothers, should be tested. A child receives half of their DNA from their mother, and the other half from their father. Because the half of the DNA that the child receives from the mother will match the mother's DNA exactly, comparing the mother and child will allow us to eliminate the maternal DNA, or DNA from the mother. The remaining unmatched DNA will then be known to be that of the biological father. Without the ability to remove the mother's DNA from the equation, we are not able to tell which DNA is from the mother and which DNA is from the father and so the possibility increases greatly that results will not be conclusive. Not including the known parent(s) may require additional testing, thus extending the time and cost needed to achieve conclusive result. In general, if the mother is available for testing she should be included. In any event, the test can still be performed without the inclusion of the mother if she is not available.

Additional family members can be included in the tests for a small additional fee.

At this time, PaternityUSA does not offer that service.

Because DNA is set at conception and generally does not change, a paternity test can be performed on a person of any age.

No, you do not need such an order to perform a parentage or relationship test, unless you are in the state of New York. Our laboratory meets New York State regulations to perform legal DNA collections and testing for New York residents. Residents of New York must submit a doctor authorization, court order or immigration DNA testing request with any DNA collection. Many of our clinic locations in New York have doctors on staff that can provide you with the authorization needed for your DNA testing.

DNA testing is the most accurate method available for determining paternity. Its power lies in the ability to trace the pattern of inheritance for separate regions of the genetic material (chromosomes). From this information a probability of paternity can be calculated. This number can reach 99.99999% in some cases. The percentage of random men of the same race that can be excluded as the biological father is also computed for every case.