Legal DNA Test

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WHAT IS A LEGAL DNA TEST?

A legal DNA test is a DNA test conducted under strict chain-of-custody procedures to ensure the results are admissible in court or other legal proceedings. These tests are often used for paternity, immigration, child custody, inheritance disputes, and criminal investigations.

Key Features of a Legal DNA Test:

  • Chain of Custody – The sample collection must be witnessed by an authorized third party (e.g., a healthcare professional or lab technician). The identity of the participants is verified, and the samples are securely handled to prevent tampering.
  • Verified Identification – Participants must provide a government-issued ID, and in some cases, a photograph and fingerprints are taken during collection.
  • Accredited Laboratory – The test must be performed at a laboratory accredited by agencies such as the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) or ISO 17025 to ensure accuracy and reliability.
  • Court-Admissible Results – Since strict protocols are followed, the results can be used in court cases, immigration applications, social security claims, or birth certificate changes.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LEGAL DNA TEST AND A AT HOME DNA TEST?

Legal DNA Test: Requires professional collection and strict chain of custody.

  • ->At-Home DNA Test: Done privately with self-collected samples and not leg
  • ->ally valid.

WHO CAN PERFORM A LEGAL DNA TEST?


A legal DNA test is conducted by accredited laboratories and certified collection centers that follow strict chain-of-custody procedures. Here are the types of professionals and organizations that perform legal DNA tests:

  1. 1)Accredited DNA Testing Laboratories
  • ->Labs certified by AABB (American Association of Blood Banks), ISO 17025, or CAP (College of American Pathologists).
  • ->Examples: Labcorp, DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC), Natera, AlphaBiolabs.
  1. 2)Court-Approved Collection Centers
  • ->Hospitals, medical clinics, or labs authorized to collect DNA samples for paternity, custody, immigration, or legal matters.
  1. 3)Law Enforcement Agencies
  • ->In cases related to criminal investigations or forensic DNA analysis.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR A LEGAL DNA TEST?
A legal DNA test follows strict procedures to ensure accuracy, chain of custody, and court admissibility. The process typically includes the following steps:

  1. 1)Choose our collection company
  • ->We will select a laboratory accredited by organizations like AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) or ISO 17025 to ensure reliable results.
  1. 2)Schedule an Appointment
  • ->You must schedule a test at our approved collection site.
  • ->Mobile collection services may be available in some cases.
  1. 3)We Establish Chain of Custody
  • ->A strict chain of custody is followed to ensure no tampering or contamination occurs.
  • ->The tested individuals must provide legal identification (government-issued ID, birth certificate for minors).
  • ->A neutral third-party collector collects the DNA samples.
  1. 4)We do your Sample Collection
  • ->Buccal (cheek) swab is the most common method.
  • ->In some cases, blood samples may be required.
  • ->Samples are sealed in tamper-proof packaging and sent to the lab.
  1. 5)we send to one of our AABB Laboratory Testing Sites
  • ->The lab extracts DNA and analyzes genetic markers.
  • ->The process usually takes 3-7 business days, depending on the lab and test type.
  1. 6)WE provide Results and Legal Use
  • ->Results are provided in a formal report with notarization if needed.
  • ->The report can be used for court cases, immigration, child support, custody, inheritance claims, etc.

Is a legal DNA test Court Admissible?

Let’s say an alleged father agrees to pay his portion of child support. If he fails to do so, there’s no legal recourse for him in the event that a DNA test was never performed. The court will not be able to make any orders regarding this situation. A paternity test for court is key to establishing legal rights and responsibilities.

On the other hand, if the man welcomed the child into his home and acted as if the baby were his, the court can rule that to be “parentage by estoppel” and make the paternity declaration that way.

If two people aren’t married at the time of delivery, the baby will not have a legal father until parentage has been established. If the alleged father is claiming the baby is not his, the court may order a DNA test to prove or disprove the claim. A court approved paternity test legally establishes biological relationships.

After a DNA test is performed on the mother, alleged father and child and it determines that the two are indeed the parents, a Declaration of Paternity will be issued. This means that both parties will have all of the normal rights and responsibilities of a parent. For the non-custodial parent, this means that he or she will need to pay child support, half of the uninsured health-care costs and other obligations.

Obviously, establishing paternity is a very important matter to resolve. The child deserves to have both names listed on his or her birth certificate, and to be legally and emotionally supported by both. So if you need to know more about court admissible DNA testing, call one of our consultants today. We’ll answer all of your questions and get you started with the court ordered paternity test process.

Still, when there’s any question about who the biological parents are, it’s a very good idea to get a DNA test for proof. A child gets half of his or her DNA from the mother and half from the father, so it’s a very accurate way to establish parentage. A legal DNA test helps resolve heritage disputes that cannot be easily solved.

WHY CHOOSE FASTDNATESTS for your legal DNA TESTING COMPANY?

Our legal paternity test follows a strict chain of custody process with the DNA sample collection witnessed, giving you legal, court-admissible paternity test results. With over 3,500 collection sites across all 50 states, we’ll make the process fast and easy by setting you up with a location right in your neighborhood.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER REASONS FOR LEGAL DNA TESTING?

  • Birth Certificate
  • Child Custody
  • Tax Forms
  • Establish Paternity
  • Child Support
  • Will/Estate
  • Insurance
  • Tribal Enrollment
  • Adoption

WHAT IS THE COST OF A LEGAL DNA TEST?

$399All tests include 2 participants. Each additional

participant is $125.

  • Court Approved Results
  • Professional Collection
  • One Low Price
  • 3-5 Day Results
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