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DNA paternity testing provides a variety of benefits. It answers questions you’ve been asking yourself for weeks, months, or years and can improve the relationship you have with your son or daughter. This type of testing also provides legal benefits if you are applying for custody or want to establish a trust or other fund related to a child’s inheritance. If you’re considering paternity testing, learn what you can expect below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paternity Testing

How much do tests cost?

Prices depend on which kind of test you get. A “piece of mind test” for personal reasons typically costs between $150 and $300, while legal tests for use in a court setting cost up to $500. Remember, personal, nonlegal tests are not admissible in court.

Can pregnant women undergo paternity tests?

Yes. Testing pregnant women occurs one of three ways: amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling (CVS), as well as noninvasive prenatal testing. The amniocentesis test involves an ultrasound 14 to 20 weeks into gestation so the doctor can see the needle and collect an amniotic fluid sample with the fetus’s genetic material. CVS is a more invasive test. It requires a doctor removing part of the chorionic villi, or cells where the placenta connects to the uterus, between weeks 12 and 14 of pregnancy. The latter test risks damage to the amniotic sack or the fetus. A noninvasive prenatal test can be completed by AccuDNA and will involve obtaining blood from the mother and a cheek swab from the alleged father. The mother must be 8-9 weeks into her pregnancy.

How long does it take to get results?paternity testing

It typically takes between two and three days to receive results for a standard paternity test. If you need them sooner, talk to the paternity testing center. 

What will the results look like?

Paternity testing collects cheek cells to compare the potential father’s DNA with the child’s. If the results are a match, the test will say “IS NOT EXCLUDED.” If you are not the father of the child, the results will read “IS EXCLUDED.” Results of 99.9% or higher always indicate a match.

Where can I get one done?

While you can purchase nonlegal paternity testing kits for use at home, the most accurate results come from DNA testing service centers. Simply research testing facilities in your area, find one with an excellent reputation, and schedule an appointment.

 

If you would like to schedule paternity testing, make an appointment with AccuDNA in St. Louis, MO. The locally owned, affordable, confidential testing facility uses cheek cells to provide highly-accurate results and offers a full spectrum of relationship testing services. Call (314) 845-9997 or contact the center online today to schedule your test. Get additional relationship testing information on Facebook.

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