DNA & paternity testing
The science is the same. The paperwork decides what it is worth.
There is one question that determines everything about a DNA test, and it is not about the laboratory. It is whether anyone other than you will need to rely on the result.
Legal or informational
Choose before you test, not afterwards.
A legal DNA test is collected under chain of custody. Every participant's identity is verified against photo identification and recorded, the collection is witnessed by a neutral third party, and the samples are documented from collection through to the laboratory.
An informational test uses the same laboratory analysis and produces the same biological answer, but without the identity verification and custody documentation.
The distinction matters because an informational result cannot ordinarily be converted into a legal one. If a court, a child support agency, an immigration authority or an estate matter might need the result, it has to be collected the legal way from the beginning. Testing twice is expensive and slow.
If you are genuinely unsure, take the legal collection. It costs a little more and closes off a problem you cannot fix later.
| Legal | Informational | |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory analysis | Identical | Identical |
| Photo ID verified | Yes, recorded | No |
| Collection witnessed | Yes | No |
| Chain of custody | Documented | None |
| Accepted by a court | Generally yes | Generally no |
| Can be upgraded later | — | No, retest required |
Relationships tested
Paternity is the common one. It is not the only one.
Paternity
The standard test, comparing a child with an alleged father. A cheek swab is all that is required and it is painless for children of any age.
Sibling and half sibling
Used when an alleged parent is unavailable. Results are expressed as a likelihood rather than a straightforward inclusion or exclusion.
Grandparent and avuncular
Testing through a grandparent, aunt or uncle where the parent cannot be tested. Often used in estate and benefit matters.
Immigration
Where a relationship must be evidenced for a petition. These have specific collection and handling requirements set by the requesting authority.
Estate and inheritance
Establishing a biological relationship for probate purposes. Always collect these under chain of custody.
Court ordered
Bring the order. It usually specifies who must be tested, which laboratory is acceptable and where the result must be sent.
Related services
Other collections we run
DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing
49 CFR Part 40 collections for FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, PHMSA and USCG employers.
Non-DOT Workplace Testing
Company policy panels from 5 to 12 substances, built around North Carolina law.
Alcohol Testing
Evidential breath testing on site, plus EtG when a longer window matters.
Random Testing Programs
Consortium administration, selections, and the records an auditor asks for.
Next step
Tell us who needs to read the result.
That single answer decides whether you need a legal collection or an informational one, and it is much cheaper to get right at the start.