DNA Direct: Your Genes in Context

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Paternity & Family Tests

Related Genetic Tests

DNA Archive™

Convenient at-home DNA storage. New SampleMatrix™ technology.

Price: $225.00

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Pre-test & Post-test Consultation

Our genetic experts can counsel you before and after testing.

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FAQS: FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

FAQs: Family Relationship DNA Testing

1. I'm adopted. What tests can I use to identify biological relatives?
2. I'm adopted but don't have any leads on my biological family. Is there anything that DNA testing can tell me?
3. Can I use these DNA tests for legal purposes, such as immigration and inheritance proceedings?
4. Do I need a home DNA test or a legal DNA test?
5. Can a DNA test tell if twins are identical or fraternal?

1. I'm adopted. What tests can help me identify my biological relatives?

There are many different DNA tests that can help adopted people confirm their relationship to possible biological relatives. Which test is best for you depends on the people who are available to give DNA samples. For example, a maternity test looks at the unique DNA passed from mother to child; it can identify a relationship with a possible mother. A paternity test or a grandparent test can help identify a relationship with a possible father. For men, the Y-chromosome test can also identify a paternal lineage, since fathers pass their Y chromosome down to their sons. Lastly, if you are looking to confirm or rule-out a possible father but he and his parents are not available for testing, family tree reconstruction is and option. This test is a more complicated analysis of DNA samples from several possible biological relatives. The test requires a sample from the biological mother, the child, and at least two possible paternal family members. If you are trying to confirm a relationship with potential siblings or half-siblings, there is a sibling test. (You can also use the Y-chromosome test for this if both of you are male and share the same father).

Learn More: Maternity Test, Paternity Test, Sibling Test, Y-chromosome Test, Family Tree Reconstruction Test

2. I'm adopted but don't have any leads on my biological family. Is there anything that DNA testing can tell me?

Possibly, depending on what you hope to learn. Some adoption reunion services will now allow people to include their DNA marker profile in registries to see if any possible matches are found. DNA testing may also be useful to help you learn what parts of the world your ancestors were likely to have come from. This type of testing is called Ancestry and Ethnicity Testing .

3. Can I use these DNA tests for legal purposes, such as immigration and inheritance proceedings?

DNA Direct offers home DNA tests, which are for personal use and are not legally admissible in court. Both home and legal DNA testing use the same laboratory procedures and are just as accurate. With home DNA testing, you take the test in the privacy of your own home and receive results for your personal use. For legal DNA testing, a representative of the testing company comes to your home to verify the identity of the people being tested, collect the samples, and legally document the DNA testing of the samples.

If you require legal DNA testing, also called "chain-of-custody" testing, we recommend our partner, DNA Diagnostics Center, for their quality and standards. You can order testing from DDC at 1-800-281-2916.

4. Do I need a home DNA test or a legal DNA test?

Choosing between a home DNA test or a legal DNA test depends on your needs. Home DNA testing is just as accurate as legal DNA testing, but it is cheaper because it is not legally documented. If you are required to prove a family relationship in a legal setting — such as for child support, custody, or immigration proceedings — you will need to have your testing legally documented. For legal DNA testing (also called chain-of-custody testing) we recommend our partner, DNA Diagnostics Center, for their quality and standards. You can order testing from DDC at 1-800-281-2916.

5. Can a DNA test determine if twins are identical or fraternal?

Yes. Many people who have twins or are twins want to know whether they are identical — whether for medical purposes or just out of curiosity. The twin zygosity DNA test compares the DNA profiles of a set of twins, to see if they are indeed identical twins. Identical twins (called monozygotic twins) originate from the fertilization of one egg by one sperm, so they share the same DNA profiles. Fraternal twins (called dizygotic twins) originate from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm, so their DNA profiles are not the same. Instead, their DNA profiles show the similarities that any two siblings born at different times have.