Paternity DNA Testing Options
COURT ADMISSIBLE DNA PATERNITY TEST
This type of DNA paternity test has to be performed by an AABB accredited laboratory to be held admissible in a court of law. This test option is the best if it is believed that the results will be required for some legal or governmental purpose. These may include a legal proceeding in court, social security benefit, change of name, correcting of birth certificate, paternity disputes, military benefits, IRS, custody and/or child support issues.
The results take only 3 business days. This test is performed by an unbiased third party following a strict chain of custody procedure. Samples are sealed with tampered proofed tape and carefully tracked throughout the testing process. You are required to bring photo ID for the adults and if possible a birth certificate or social security card for the child. Photographs will be taken of the individuals being tested at the time samples are collected.
PEACE OF MIND DNA TESTING
This DNA test option is just for your own peace of mind. This cannot be used for legal purposes as it is only for your own personal knowledge. Although the collection of the DNA samples/specimen is being done by a third party in our office, there is no chain of custody followed as with the Court admissible test.
However, we will provide the same quality test and also provide the results in the same manner. The Father and the child will be required to come in to our collection facility and the collection of the samples are performed by a DNA collector. The difference between this DNA test option and that of the court admissible test, is that you will not be able to use the results for legal purposes since it was not originally collected under strict chain of custody or ID’s collected as with the Court Admissible test option.
DISCREET DNA PATERNITY TESTING
You may also choose to discreetly test someone by using and bringing samples such as hair (must be pulled hair/cannot be cut), fingernail clippings, ear wax swabs, toothbrushes, cigarette butts, chewing gum and more. We don’t guarantee that DNA will be found on the sample that you provide to us but if it does contain DNA, we can compare it to yours or your loved one to determine paternity, maternity, sibling, same paternal or maternal lineage, uncle or aunt. Please call for special instructions on collection and packaging of the samples.
This type of DNA paternity testing is also for your own peace of mind and cannot be used for proof for any legal or governmental purpose as the collection of the DNA samples are done by YOU directly, and it does not follow strict chain of custody as with our Court Admissible DNA testing option. This option is our most popular option due to price, convenience, fast results and mostly to answer the question of paternity without having to bring the child into the office. Below are several ways you may purchase our self kit option:
BY PHONE – ($150.00 special price) – The special pricing is for PHONE purchases only and it is for Paternity testing which includes; a kit to test 1 alleged father and 1 child, the shipping to you and back to us, and the test results. We ship kit directly to you which can take up to 2 business days to receive (if within the tri-county area 1 business day) and we also include an overnight UPS return envelope to return your sample back to us. Results as early as 2 business days from receipt of your samples at our lab!
IN- OFFICE – (additional fee accessed for pick up) If you wish to pick up the kit at one of our South Florida office locations, there will be an additional fee for picking up. (Restrictions may apply – prices vary by location) Please call for pricing.
Picking up kit at one of our locations allows ease of mind since we will show you how to collect the samples properly so you feel more comfortable collecting your own DNA samples. This option allows you to pick up the kit with a minimal $50.00 deposit, go home collect the samples and bring them back to us same day or later. Once you bring them back, you will pay the balance owed and in as little as 3 business days you will know the answer you were seeking! You may also elect to pay the total cost and not have to return to the office. Please let the office know which would be your preference. Results as early as 2 business days from receipt of your samples at our lab!
Please call our office to arrange for kit to be prepared for pick up. When you arrive, we will need to know how you want your results to be revealed to you. You will need to fill out a “Release of Results Information Form” and also assign yourself a password or code. This way we may identify those who we speak with in order to maintain your information confidential.
Broward: (954) 476-1818 — Dade: (786) 344-4647 — Palm Beach: (561) 430-2060 — Nationwide: (888) 623-7504
PLEASE READ- RISKS INVOLVING SELF-KITS or HOME TESTS:
The results of a self-kit are accurate if done properly. We include directions with every kit and they must be followed. You do run risks of inaccurate results when allowing another to perform a self-kit that is not in your direct control or supervision. You also run the risk of inaccuracy of false positives or negatives due to mistakes done at the time of collection such as contamination and mix ups of samples or envelopes. By allowing others to be in possession of samples prior to the labs receipt, allows them to do what they want with the samples. If there are trust issues already, how can you trust that it was done properly? Or, that he/she deviously collected someone else so the DNA does not match? This is a very important question in your life and you should only have it answered once!
Also, choosing the self-kit option can cost you more money out of pocket in the long run. A self-kit may not be a suitable test if the alleged father has signed the birth certificate; as his name can only be removed by a court order in which a legal test will be required. If he has not signed the birth certificate, he will not ever be recognized as a legal father without first doing a legally admissible DNA test proving that he is the biological father of the child. For this purpose a court test is your best option.