Choosing a Paternity DNA Test

How do you choose between a home paternity test or a legal paternity test? It depends on why you are testing and what you plan to do with test results. Consult the table below to compare home and legal paternity testing.

Home Paternity TestingLegal Paternity Testing
Price $235 $475
Accuracy 99.9999% 99.9999%
Sample Collection You are responsible for collecting the samples for the child, the father-in-question, and the mother. You must go to a sample collection site or have a testing company representative come to you. They collect the DNA samples and legally document the process.
Processing Time After you mail in your samples, the lab takes 5 days for DNA analysis. You will need to schedule a sample collection date. The lab takes 5 days for DNA analysis.
Privacy Fewer people involved. Thumbprints and photographs must be taken by a testing company representative.
Legality For personal knowledge only, not admissible in court. Can be used in court or for other legal needs.

this page last updated: December 6, 2007