Postnatal DNA Paternity At Home

Postnatal DNA Paternity At Home Testing

Who should choose home postnatal DNA paternity testing?

Testing for paternity at home is usually preferred by those who don't need the results for a legal reason or who prefer to keep the testing as discreet and anonymous as possible.

Since the specimen is collected outside of a clinic without a professional collector observing the test and completing a chain of custody, the test result will not be defensible in any legal cases.

What is the advantage of home postnatal DNA paternity testing versus legal postnatal DNA paternity testing?

Performing postnatal DNA paternity collections at home have some advantages:

  • Because the specimens are collected outside of the clinic, when and where samples are collected aren't restricted by a clinic's location or business hours. Testing can be performed in the privacy of your own home or can be performed at our clinic.
  • No identification or contact information is needed to purchase the testing kit or to perform the test. Since you are responsible for writing the name of the donor on the samples you collect, a pseudonym can be used, guaranteeing privacy.
  • The cost of the test is much less than a legal test.
What is the disadvantage of home postnatal DNA paternity testing versus legal postnatal DNA paternity testing?

While collecting DNA specimens at home carries with it some benefits, there are some disadvantages that you should consider before purchasing the test:

  • DNA samples are easily prone to contamination, degradation, and destruction if proper collection, storage, and shipping procedures aren't followed. While the procedures are relatively simple, any mistake could result in a sample that isn't usable.
  • Home DNA collection kits don't have an expiration date, but if they aren't stored properly, damage can occur to the kits that may make them unusable.
  • Since the DNA samples that you collect are shipped back to us, there is always the possibility of samples getting lost or damaged. If a sample is lost or damaged, we can provide you with replacement collection supplies but depending on the situation it may be difficult or impossible to have the sample recollected.
  • Home DNA paternity tests aren't admissible in legal proceedings, so if there is any chance that the test may need to be used for legal reasons, you should consider a legal postnatal DNA paternity test instead. Home tests cannot be "upgraded" to be legally admissible.
How is home postnatal DNA paternity testing performed?

Home DNA paternity testing is performed by collecting each party's DNA with sterile buccal swabs and placing them in separately labeled envelopes.

Once all specimens are collected, they are packaged in a pre-paid mailer and returned to us for testing.

Detailed instructions are included with the testing kit. If you have lost the instructions, or are unable to locate them, you can download a copy here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If your question isn't addressed, or you just want to talk to a live person, give us a call at 1 (636) 916-0050.

You can purchase the test by calling our office at (636) 916-0050 or by visiting our office in person at:

2101 Collier Corporate Parkway
Saint Charles, MO 63303
Directions

No.

Once all samples have arrived, results are usually available in 5 business days.

No. As long as all testing instructions are followed correctly, the test is just as accurate as a court admissible DNA paternity test.

The testing determines paternity with over 99.9% confidence.

There are no consent forms for home DNA paternity testing and there are no restrictions on the sale or use of the test based on age.

Yes, you can provide any name you like on the sample envelopes. No identification documents are required to be returned or provided.

The names you provide on the envelopes will be used on all results and records.

For legal reasons we are required to obtain the payor's name if they are paying with a credit or debit card. If you use a credit or debit card or another form of electronic payment, there will be a record of your transaction with your financial institution.

If you wish to not provide a name for payment, you may pay in person with cash.

Yes. If you have lost or misplaced the instructions, you can download instructions here.

If you ordered a test kit with us and the kit was damaged in shipping, is defective, or you have concerns about possible contamination, please let us know so we can provide you with instructions to receive a replacement kit.

Please do not discard the shipping container, kit, or packaging. You may be required to return this material to us before a replacement is provided.

When ordering the test, you have the option of providing us with any addresses or email addresses that you wish for us to send test results to.

If you choose to not provide us with an address or email address, you can pick up your result at our office or call our office to receive the results over the phone.

If you wish to pick up the results or call our office for the results, you will need to have your test reference number. Without it, you cannot receive the results.

The only way for us to retrieve your results is via the test reference number. Without the number, we have no way of knowing which result is your result. It is extremely important that you keep your reference number in a safe and secure location.

To receive additional copies of the result, please call us at (636) 916-0050 and provide your reference number so that we can retrieve your result.

If you wish for us to mail or email the result to a different address or email address than was originally provided, you should let us know at that time.

There may be a document retrieval fee for results over one year old.