Donor Guides:
Postnatal DNA Paternity At Home Testing

Before you purchase a DNA testing kit, there are a few things you should know about them:

• The test kits are physical items, which means that they are subject to damage from water, extreme temperature, and aging. You will be given instructions on how to store the kit when you receive it.
• The test kits do not provide you with a result at home. They are not instant tests. The kits are simply used to collect DNA samples and provide you with the needed materials and information to submit those samples to our laboratory for testing.
• The test kits don't have an expiration date, and have an extremely long shelf life when stored properly, but if you don't use your kit within a year of purchase, you should carefully examine the kit for any damage prior to collecting samples and sending them in.
• You should not discard your test kit envelope after collecting all the samples. The test kit envelope has a unique reference number printed on it. You will need this number to receive your test results. Without this number there is no way to receive your results.

After purchasing the kit, you can use it at home, or you have the option of having one of our certified collectors perform the collections at our clinic for you. If you wish to have the collections performed at our clinic, all parties must be present if you wish for us to send the samples in for testing for you. Some benefits of having your collections performed at our clinic include:

• You won't need to worry about reading collection instructions, or be concerned that a specimen was collected incorrectly or was contaminated.
• If a kit is defective or missing supplies, you will not need to request a replacement kit. We have all of the supplies needed on hand.
• You don't need to worry about storing a kit, damaging a kit, or shipping your samples to the laboratory.

If you decide to use the kit at home, you should know that:

• If a specimen is collected incorrectly, you will need to re-collect it. If a sample is contaminated, your result may be inconclusive or wrong.
• Make sure you keep the test reference number printed on the kit's envelope in a safe place. You will need this number in order to receive your results.
• Because the test kits can be damaged by improper storage and because the test reference number printed on the kit is used as an identifier, they cannot be returned. Only replacement kits and collection supplies will be provided once the kit is sold.
• If possible, collect all of the samples at the same time. If you are unable to, make sure you follow the storage instructions carefully to prevent any contamination or damage to samples that are already collected.

If you have questions about the testing kits, let us know when ordering, or give us a call at 1 (636) 916-0050.

To purchase your DNA test kit, you can stop by our office in person, or call us at 1 (636) 916-0050 if you would like to have the kit shipped to you instead.

When purchasing, you will need to let us know:

• The number of alleged fathers you will be testing
• The number of children you will be testing
• If the mother will be tested or not

The standard test kit will include all of the necessary supplies and instructions to test one child and one alleged father. Supplies to collect a sample from the mother are available upon request at no additional charge. Additional children and alleged fathers can be added to the test for an additional fee at the time of purchase. Once the test kit is sold, no additional parties can be added.

While testing the mother is not required, it is recommended. There is no additional fee to test the mother, it is included in the fee regardless of if they test or not.

You will pay for the kit when you pick it up. If you are having us ship the kit to you, you will pay for the kit over the phone when you order.

If you are having the kit shipped, a shipping fee will apply. Shipments are made through ground services using various shipping partners and typically arrive in one to seven business days. Overnight and express shipping is available for an additional fee. Orders are shipped in discreet, unmarked envelopes with no indication of the contents.

You will need to pay for the kit and any shipping fees before the kit is shipped.

If you are purchasing a test kit to use at home, you can skip this section.

Appointments are not required for postnatal DNA sample collections, but are encouraged, especially if more than one child or alleged father will be collected.

When scheduling an appointment, please make sure you have all of the necessary information ready to make the process as quick and accurate as possible.

To schedule an appointment, you will need to provide:

• Your name, or a pseudonym if you wish to remain anonymous
• Your telephone number
• If any legal order of protections or restraining orders are in place between you and any other donors, we will need to know the names of the individuals the orders pertain to so that we can attempt to accommodate appointment times
• The date and time that you prefer
• The total number of collections that will need to be made
• If you have already purchased your kit and will be bringing it in, or if you will need to purchase one at the time of the appointment

When choosing an appointment time, remember that you are choosing an appointment time for all the donors and that all donors must arrive before any collections can begin. Please be sure that everyone is able to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time and allot 30 minutes for testing. Additional time may be needed if more than one child or alleged father is being collected.

We understand that life happens, and some donors may not be able to arrive on time, but if someone is going to be more than 15 minutes late to the appointment, we recommend that you call to reschedule. We can't guarantee the appointment if any donor arrives more than 15 minutes after the scheduled appointment time.

To schedule an appointment or to make changes to an existing appointment, you can call us at 1 (636) 916-0050. You can also schedule an appointment online using our online scheduler service.

If you are performing testing at home, you should refer to the instructions that were provided when you purchased the kit. If you have questions about the instructions, need another copy of the instructions, or you need help with using your kit, please call our office at 1 (636) 916-0050 and we would be happy to assist you.

If you are having your test performed at our clinic and you made an appointment, please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time to check-in.

Testing typically takes 30 minutes to complete, but if more than one child or alleged father is being collected, additional time may be needed.

If you need to purchase a testing kit when you arrive, you can do so. For your convenience, we accept bank issued Visa^® and Mastercard^® branded credit or debit cards, cash, cashier's checks, or money orders. If you purchased the kit ahead of time, you will need to make sure you bring the kit with you.

If any of the parties wish to remain anonymous, they may do so by simply providing a pseudonym when asked for a name.

Nothing needs to be brought to the collection site for the collection. We do not need to verify identities or ages when performing the collections, however, each donor should be prepared to provide:

• Their name, or a pseudonym if they wish to remain anonymous
• Their date of birth
• What sample they are providing, such as alleged father, child, or mother
• Their race
• If desired, a list of all individuals they wish for us to release results to as well as their associated addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses

Each donor will be provided with a copy of the test reference number when their sample has been collected. This number is used to verify that the person providing it is authorized to discuss the test result or request copies of the result. Anyone with the test reference number can access the test result or request copies of the result. You should keep this number in a secure location or destroy it if you do not wish to use it.

Test results are typically available five days after the samples arrive at our office. If you collected your samples at home and mailed them to us, please allow for mailing time. Depending on where your samples were sent from, and how you sent them, mailing time could be two to five days meaning that results may be available seven to ten days after mailing them to us.

Results will be mailed, faxed, or emailed to any individuals that were authorized to receive them. Mailed results typically arrive seven business days after the testing is complete. Faxed and emailed results are typically transmitted to recipients within two hours of the result being transmitted to us by the laboratory.

If you plan on picking up your test results, you may do so any time during our regular business hours. Please make sure that you have your test reference number with you when you arrive to receive your results. Without the test reference number, we are unable to provide you with results.

If you have any questions about your results or you would like extra copies of your result, you can call us at 1 (636) 916-0050 or visit us in person to discuss those questions and request additional copies of your result.

If requesting additional copies of your result in person or over the phone, you will need your test reference number. If you have lost your test reference number, you will not be able to receive your result.

Please note that results over one year old will require a small record retrieval fee for each result requested. This fee must be paid prior to results being retrieved and is not refundable. Results over ten years old may no longer be available.

Deciding to take a DNA paternity test is often a very emotional decision. Individuals may seek out home paternity testing because they have questions about the paternity of a child but want to keep the donors anonymous or the testing confidential. Adult children may perform home paternity testing to connect with long lost parents or children, or to help answer questions that have loomed over a family for long enough. Whatever the reasons, we will do everything we can to make sure that your test is as confidential and discreet as possible. If you have any questions before, during, or after your test, or any step along the way, please let us know. Give us a call at 1 (636) 916-0050, we are here to help.