How To Arrange A Paternity Test And What To Expect

Written by Ella Woodward¦ Becoming a parent is seen as a magical moment. It can fill many with joy to welcome a child into the world, knowing they will care for them and watch them grow over the years.

However, what should be a special time can often be overshadowed by uncertainty about who the parent of a child is, in particular, the father. This leads many to undergo a paternity DNA test to find the answers. Although taking a DNA test is common, two in ten Americans revealed they had taken an at-home DNA test. Despite how common it is, taking a DNA test, especially a paternity one, can be stressful for many.

Do you need to organize a paternity test? If so, here are a few tips on arranging one and what to expect as part of the process.

Before Or After The Child’s Birth

In today’s modern era, there is an opportunity to have paternity tests performed before the child has arrived. The test is non-invasive and requires a sample from the alleged father and one from the mother. From the DNA sample taken from the mother, the advanced technology used by laboratories can analyze the child’s DNA found within their mother’s bloodstream. Of course, this test can be performed after the child has been born. The same DNA collection process is performed, but it would be a DNA sample taken from the child, not their mother.

Organize For A Paternity Test

Taking a paternity test can be done one or two ways. The first is through a blood test, in which a sample of the potential father’s blood is sent to the laboratory along with the child’s. These samples will undergo various tests to determine whether or not there is a match. For those who would rather not have to do a blood test, cheek swabs are available. You can order an at-home kit from a DNA tester, like AlphaBiolabs, and take cheek swabs of the child and potential father. From there, AlphaBiolabs will run tests and send back their findings’ results, confirming whether there was a match.

Waiting For The Results

Time can feel like it slows down when waiting for something to happen. This is what it can feel like when waiting for the paternity test results. Depending on the DNA tester you choose and their turnaround time, it could take, on average, between two-four business days. Of course, some DNA testers might offer one-day or same-day results, but these will come with higher price tags. Remember that these results are for personal use and to be used to help provide answers to queries about the child and who the father is. Most of these DNA tests cannot be used within courtrooms to support cases, as they have not been collected through the custody procedure required for a legal paternity test.

After the results have been delivered and the confirmation of whether an individual is the child’s father or not has been revealed, both parties can move forward with their lives, either together or separately. These results can be emotional to hear, so ensure that you have support to help you move forward.