Answers to Your Questions About How to Get a Paternity Test

DNA Paternity Testing (sometimes called parentage testing) uses DNA, the biological basis of inheritance, to prove or disprove the relationship between a child and an alleged father. It is based on the fact that we inherit half of our DNA from our fathers and half from our mothers.

In a DNA paternity test, DNA samples are taken from the child and the alleged father (and the mother, if she’s available) and are sent to our lab. We purify the DNA and prepare it for testing with a battery of at least 16 DNA markers, producing a genetic profile for each tested individual. The child’s profile is compared with the profiles of the mother and alleged father to confirm that he or she has inherited DNA from the alleged father. We then perform statistical analysis to calculate the Probability of Paternity.

Purchase a home paternity test kit from one of our many retail partners near you or order online from one of our retailers listed here.

DNA paternity testing is 100% accurate when done properly. Our Dual Process™ helps ensure a strict chain of custody and error-free results through the proper handling, testing, and analysis of samples.

Many laboratories mistake the term accuracy for likelihood (or probability). The Probability of Paternity is a statistical measure of the likelihood of the biological relationship. In the case of an inclusion result (the alleged father is found to be the biological father), the Probability of Paternity could be 99.999999% or higher.

All paternity tests will generate a result lower than 100%. To produce a 100% probability, a laboratory would have to test every man in the world. Because this is not feasible, a paternity test uses a population database to calculate the Probability of Paternity.

While an inclusion result can be 99.999999% or higher, an exclusion result is always 0%. This is because if the genetic profiles of the child and alleged father do not match, there is statistically no chance that the two are biologically related.

We take our patients’ privacy very seriously, and we have the strict confidentiality policy to prove it.

• 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.

No. Private individuals can take an over the counter paternity test without a physician’s request or court order. However, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) only allows clinical laboratories to examine specimens at the request of licensed physicians or other persons authorized by law to use the test results in their practice or in the performance of their official duties. If you are a resident of New York, please purchase your test at one of our partner stores near you and then call 1-800-681-7502 to set up your DNA sample collection.

DDC’s home DNA paternity test is not intended for legal purposes. If you need a Court Admissible (Legal) DNA Paternity test, and are NOT a New York resident, call DDC at 1-800-329-7519. If you are a resident of New York, please call 1-800-681-7502. You must purchase your kit at your local DDC partnered store before you call.

We test your samples with a buccal or cheek swabs. A DNA swab test is a quick and painless procedure that involves rubbing a cotton-like swab against the inside of the patient’s cheek.

Click here to open detailed instructions on how to collect your DNA sample

Yes. Buccal swab samples contain the same DNA as blood samples and will therefore produce the same paternity test results. DNA swab testing is our primary sample collection method because it is a simple and painless procedure. In addition, buccal swabs are particularly preferable over blood samples for persons who have had recent blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants—their blood samples may contain DNA from the donors.

No. DNA is the same despite the method of collection. Cheek cells yield the same accuracy of results as a blood sample.

Yes. The collection is safe for children of all ages.

No. Because DNA is set at conception and generally does not change, a paternity test can be performed on a person of any age—even on a sample from an unborn child (through prenatal testing). At birth, blood from the umbilical cord can be taken for use as a DNA sample source, or a buccal swab can be collected from the newborn.

DDC has multiple DNA testing choices available. Call 1-800-329-7519 to learn your options.

Yes. This home paternity test kit ONLY allows for 1 alleged father, 1 child and 1 biological mother (mother optional). For an additional fee, you can test more people. For details, please call 1-800-329-7519.

No. DDC recommends her participation to possibly strengthen the outcome of the results, but it isn’t generally required for this test.

The barcode # is a unique number that indicates your case without using your name and is located at the bottom of the DNA sample envelopes provided in your kit.

Yes. For faster home DNA testing, send samples via courier (FedEx, UPS, etc.) using the following address:
DNA Technology Park
ATTN: Retail Kit Samples
1 DDC Way
Fairfield, OH 45014

If chosen at online setup, DDC can keep you up to date on the current status of your testing. We can do this one of two ways, either by e-mail or by text. This way you are always aware of what is happening with your dna test, without having to call DDC.

Once our laboratory has received all the tested parties’ samples, we will complete the test within 2 business days. We will notify you when your home paternity test results are ready and you can check your results using your online login. (1 Day results available. See below.)

We recommend viewing your DNA paternity test results Online. You will be notified via email that results are available. Go to www.myDNAtest.com and click the LOGIN button. Then, enter your login and password to access results.

First-class mail is another method of sending paternity test results. To protect our patients’ privacy, we send the results in a plain envelope that is not marked with our company name or logo.

For patients who would like to see their results sooner than online or first-class mail permits, we offer two other options for a nominal fee:

• Fax—Patients who complete a Fax Authorization Form may receive their results via fax.
• Courier (e.g,, FedEx or UPS) delivery—Patients may also request next-day delivery using a courier service.

Please call 1-800-329-7519 to discuss your options with one of our helpful case managers.

Your results will clearly indicate whether the alleged father is excluded or not excluded as the biological father.

A home paternity test result includes a table that lists:

• The allele sizes of the different DNA markers examined and used in the statistical analysis portion of the test (i.e., the DNA profile)
• A Probability of Paternity value
• A Combined Paternity Index (CPI) value

You will want to focus on the Probability of Paternity. A result of 0% means the alleged father is not the biological father; a result of 99.99% or higher means the alleged father is the biological father. The CPI value represents the odds against another random, untested male in the population having the same results as the tested man.

DDC strictly adheres to proper chain of custody procedures, making the test results legally admissible. A Judge has the final say on whether to include the results of a Legal Paternity Test in court.

Step 1 (Non New York residents): Purchase the paternity testing kit from a Walgreens store nearest you and then call DDC at 1-800-329-7519.

Step 1 (for New York residents): Purchase the kit from a Walgreens store nearest you and then call DDC at 1-800-681-7502.
You will be prompted to provide the “Activation Code” located on the front of the Activation card.

Step 2: Your DDC Case Specialist will setup a convenient DNA collection appointment. If needed, multiple appointments can be arranged. You can record the appointment details in the back of the Instructions booklet located in your DNA Paternity Collection kit.

Step 3: Next, your DDC Case Specialist will help you setup your online results access.

Step 4: Obtain a Doctor’s authorization for testing and receipt of results before going to the DNA collection site(s).

NOTE: A Doctor’s authorization is required for all DNA testing in the state of New York. Call DDC at 1-800-681-7502 for questions or assistance.

Step 5: Go to the scheduled appointment(s) for collection of DNA sample(s). The Collector will have all the proper forms for completing your court admissible paternity test.

Step 6: The Collector will send your DNA samples to DDC’s laboratory. Please inquire with your DDC Case Specialist to expedite shipping.

DDC has multiple DNA testing choices available. Call 1-800-329-7519 (Non-New York residents) to learn more. New York residents call 1-800-681-7502

Yes. The collection is safe for children of all ages.

No. DNA is the same despite the method of collection. Cheek cells yield the same accuracy of results as a blood sample.

No. DDC recommends her participation to possibly strengthen the outcome of the results.

Yes. For an additional fee, you can test more people. Please indicate during case setup.

A doctor’s referral is only required in the New York State. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) only allows clinical laboratories to examine specimens at the request of licensed physicians or other persons authorized by law to use the test results in their practice or in the performance of their official duties. If you are a resident of New York, please call 1-800-681-7502 for assistance.

Collection fees are fees charged by our local collection sites for the collection of patient samples. Most of our patients do not have to take money to the sample collection appointment. They make all their payments directly to DDC, and we handle the test and collection fees for them.

If you purchased your kit in New York, simply call DDC at 1-800-681-7502. The card applies the cost of the New York DNA Collection kit purchased at the store (up $29) towards the cost of your laboratory fee (additional collection fees apply). Make sure to scratch the panel above the activation code before you call.

The activation code is located on the front of the Activation card located inside the kit. These kits can only be purchased and used in the State of New York.

Step 1: Record the login and password (selected during case setup) on the detachable reference card located on the last page of this booklet.

Step 2: Within 2 business days of all samples being received by the laboratory, you will be notified via email that results are ready.

Step 3: Go to www.myDNAtest.com and click the LOGIN button. Then, enter your login and password to access results.

Your results will clearly indicate whether the alleged father is excluded or not excluded as the biological father.

Yes. Legal paternity test results are typically available within 2 business days once samples are received by our lab. If you’d like to expedite your results to 1 business day, please indicate during case setup. An expedited fee will be applied to the total amount due.