There are many reasons to use a DNA paternity test to determine the likelihood of a father-child relationship. DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid or a specific molecule with genetic information and biological instructions for each living person.
DNA is like a genetic fingerprint, and no two fingerprints are alike, making DNA testing exceptionally reliable for establishing paternity. Most people rely on at-home or legal paternity tests to give them the information they need.
Both types of tests can be found by Googling paternity tests near me to see locations closest to you. It is important to note that at-home paternity tests differ from legal paternity tests. Here’s what you need to know.
At-Home Paternity Tests
At-home paternity tests are easy to find by searching out paternity tests near me. Most big box retailers and local drug store chains carry different brands of at-home paternity tests, but some grocery stores have them, too. There is a small retail cost to purchase these tests, and they come with directions for collecting the specimen at home. Some at-home tests require saliva, while others require a swab from the inner cheek. The specimen is mailed out, and there is an additional cost on the back end to get the test results, which typically takes a few business days.
Legal Paternity Test
When you search out paternity tests near me, you’ll find facilities in your town that offer this service, but you’ll probably be told where to go by the court. Both the potential father and child must be present to perform the test, and identity will be verified before any services are rendered. If you call ahead, they will tell you what forms of identification they accept. A neutral third party will provide this service and take the specimen sample. The legal report of results will be available in several business days and most likely sent to the courts. This is known as the verifiable chain of custody which guarantees the results are genuine and have not been tampered with.
Key Differences
An at-home paternity test gives the same information as a legal paternity test, but it is not admissible in a court of law because the chain of custody cannot be verified. With an at-home DNA test, identification is not verified before the samples are collected, and there is no neutral third party to handle the process. The shipping and handling methods are markedly different too. People at home are not required to follow the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), meaning that the specimen could technically be tainted, although it usually isn’t.
Paternity Test Near Me
A DNA paternity test is essential, whether it is a legal DNA test or an at-home DNA test. Before you search out the paternity test near me, decide what your goals are and consider your motivation for taking the test in the first place. This will tell you which test is best for your purposes. Only a legal DNA paternity test will do if the paternity test has been court-ordered. Either way, you will get the answers you’re looking for.Â