At-Home Paternity Tests: Pros and Cons
Are you in a situation where you need to confirm paternity? A paternity test can provide the answers you seek. Today's DNA technology makes paternity tests highly reliable, with nearly 100% accuracy. However, before you decide to go for a home paternity test, it's crucial to understand both its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons associated with home paternity tests.
Pros of Using a At-Home Paternity Test
Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, home paternity tests have become more accessible and convenient than ever. Let's delve into the many benefits of choosing a home test compared to a legal paternity DNA test.
1. Convenience
One of the primary reasons to opt for a home paternity test is the convenience it offers. You can easily order a testing kit online and have it delivered to your doorstep. Once you have the kit, collecting your DNA sample is a straightforward process. You can use the provided oral swabs to collect cells from the inside of your cheek. Alternatively, you can submit personal items like fingernail clippings, toothbrush materials, or hair samples that might contain your DNA.
The simplicity of the collection process means you can perform the test in the privacy of your own home, at your convenience. You no longer need to schedule a doctor's appointment or undergo a painful blood test.
2. Accuracy
If you carefully follow the instructions provided with your DNA test kit, you can trust that the results will be reliable. Additionally, if you choose a reputable company for your testing kit, you can have confidence in the accuracy of the results (more on this later).
Cons of Using a At-Home Paternity Test
While home paternity tests offer several advantages, they also come with a couple of drawbacks. Let's take a closer look at these limitations.
1. Cheating Concerns
The results of a home DNA test are not admissible in court due to the potential for cheating. Since the testing process takes place in a non-controlled environment, there is a risk that individuals might attempt to manipulate the results.
For example, someone who does not want to be identified as a child's father could use another person's DNA in place of their own. Similarly, a person seeking to exclude a specific individual as the child's father might submit a different child's DNA during the testing process.
To ensure the accuracy and integrity of the results, it's essential that both the child and the alleged father provide their samples in front of each other and have the results sent directly to a reputable lab. Given the potential for cheating, home paternity tests are not suitable for legal purposes; they are only reliable for personal reasons.
2. Quality Concerns
Inquire about the kit's age before making a purchase. It's recommended to use a kit that is no more than a year old. Some older kits may still provide accurate results, but it's best to opt for a fresher kit.
Moreover, ask the company how many genetic markers their kit tests. Testing for at least 16 markers is considered essential for determining a child-father relationship, according to industry standards. Be cautious of companies that do not test for an adequate number of markers, as their tests may not produce reliable results.
If possible, select a testing kit that examines at least 20 markers for the most accurate paternity results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Paternity Tests
What do I need to do to get a home paternity test?
To get a home paternity test, you can order it online now. NOTE: Per the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York residents can only do a legal paternity test. See testing guidelines for New York State here.
Can I do a home paternity test if I need results for child support or custody?
No; you should not do a home paternity test if you need results for child support, custody, or any other legal reason. Courts do not accept results unless they are from a legal DNA test that maintains a strict chain-of-custody process. If you need results for court, contact one of our specialists for a no-obligation, free consultation at 302.527.1789.
How soon can you DNA test a baby after birth?
You can DNA test a baby after birth as soon as the baby has been cleaned up by hospital staff. Because a cheek swab is used, it’s important that the baby’s mouth be free from meconium, amniotic fluid, breast milk, or formula when doing the DNA collection.
What types of samples does GameDay DNA use for a home paternity test?
DNA is collected by test participants at home, using cheek swabs (also called buccal swabs). Cheek swabbing is a quick and painless way to collect cheek cells containing DNA. This is not a saliva test. To prevent swabs from getting “too wet,” avoid gum areas and do not spit on the swabs. If they seem very wet, wave swabs in the full instructions for air for 60 seconds prior to placing them in the paper sample envelopes.
See full instructions for at-home DNA collection here.
Is there a difference in accuracy between cheek swabs and blood?
No, there is no difference in accuracy between cheek swabs and blood samples. DNA is the same in every cell of a person’s body, regardless of whether it is a blood cell or a cheek cell. It has been demonstrated that DNA from a blood or cheek swab sample from the same person produces identical paternity test results.
Can a home paternity test be performed without the mother?
Yes; a home paternity test can be performed without the mother. If the mom cannot or does not want to be tested, we can still perform a home paternity test. A “motherless” test could require more extensive analysis to produce conclusive results, but the results are just as accurate as those of a standard paternity test with the mother included. Keep in mind that consent from a legal parent or guardian must be obtained for testing a minor child. If the mother participates in a home paternity test, she is guaranteed to receive a copy of the test results.
Are home paternity tests accurate?
Home paternity test results are accurate for the samples provided to the laboratory. For at-home testing, the lab relies on test participants to make sure the samples being analyzed by the lab belong to the correct people. If you do not trust other participants’ integrity with submitting correct samples, you can either make sure you’re all together in the same room during swabbing or you should choose a legal paternity test (with witnessed DNA collection) instead.
The DDC Dual Process™ system adds an extra layer of surety to the accuracy of your test results. Each post-natal paternity test is performed twice by independent teams, so you can be confident in your results.
What happens if the tested parties live in different cities or states?
The easiest thing to do if tested parties live in different cities or states is to call us during business hours at 302.527.1789 to set up the test, and we’ll take care of sending DNA-collection kits to the different locations.
Can a paternity test be performed if the alleged father is missing or deceased?
A paternity test cannot be performed if the alleged father is missing or if he is deceased and no blood card is available from the funeral home. However, other testing options are available in these types of situations. GameDay DNA specializes in finding alternative family members to test to determine the true biological father.
Other tests include:
We’re ready to help. Call us at 302.527.1789
I live in New York State. Can I do a home paternity test?
Per the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York residents can only do a legal paternity test with a prescription from their doctor or attorney. See testing guidelines for New York State here.
How long does it take to get DNA paternity test results for a home test?
Results are posted 2 business days after samples are received at the lab. 1-day or same-day results once samples arrive at the lab are available for an additional fee.
How will I receive my results?
For security reasons, we will only send a copy of your results via email to tested parties.
Can I use my home paternity test results to obtain child support?
No; home paternity test results cannot be used to obtain child support. Because a strict chain-of-custody process with supervised DNA collection hasn’t been followed for a home paternity test, results are not accepted for any legal reason and are not recognized in courts. If you anticipate needing results for legal reasons, order a legal paternity test.
How much does a home paternity test cost?
Our home DNA paternity test (for personal knowledge and peace of mind only) costs $179 to $225.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept the following forms of payment:
Visa
MasterCard
American Express
Discover
Pre-paid credit cards
Do you protect my privacy?
We take our customers’ privacy very seriously: both for your case and your DNA data.
We will not release any information about your case to anyone without your authorization.
We will always follow any special instructions you give us for communicating with you or other parties involved in your test.
We never release test results over the phone.
How We Can Help With Paternity DNA Testing
While home paternity tests offer convenience and accuracy when performed correctly, they are not accepted in legal proceedings due to the potential for cheating. Moreover, the quality of home tests can vary significantly.
At GameDay DNA, we are committed to providing high-quality DNA paternity tests, including home tests. If you're considering a paternity test, whether for personal reassurance or legal purposes, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We offer testing kits that meet the highest standards of accuracy and reliability. Contact us today to learn more about our testing kits and take the first step toward obtaining the answers you need!