The purpose of a paternity test is to accurately confirm the identity of the father of a child to the greatest degree possible.  A DNA paternity test is a specific method of verifying parentage by matching samples of DNA from the child and the assumed father (and perhaps the mother).

By comparing the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of each, results can be obtained that virtually guarantee the genetic test to an accuracy of 99.99 percent or greater.

There are other types of parental testing, but DNA testing is most common because of the recent lower costs, improved accuracy and almost ensured privacy. Prior to the availability of DNA paternity testing, blood samples would be taken from the target individuals (i.e. father and child), and specific common attributes would be searched for such as blood group type.

Why Have a Paternity Test?

The most common reasons for someone seeking a DNA paternity test relate to child custody and child support. Less frequently, but not uncommon are fathers who suspect they may not truly be the father and desire confirmation. There is a general consensus that at least 20 percent of fathers are supporting a child that is not actually theirs.

A mother may also desire to confirm the identity of her child’s father, either for the knowledge comfort, or as an avenue in seeking financial support. But both for the mother and the alleged father, there is something occurring at a deeper emotional level that most do not wish to speak of.

For the mother, she may be concerned that she had an affair with another man and that her husband or partner may not actually be the father of her child. Her marriage or relationship may be stable, but taking a chance of finding out he is not the father by undergoing paternity testing may have serious consequences in several ways.

As a father, or presumed father, discovering a child is not yours can be psychologically devastating. If you had been bringing up and supporting a child for years at considerable expense, this not only affects you, but your relationship with your spouse or partner.

Unless you as a father or a mother, are very certain there is a problem with paternity, there is no need to undergo a DNA paternity test. Of course, there may be a desire, but why possibly destroy a successful relationship if unnecessary? The only ones you may make happy are lawyers involved in custody and child support issues.

Unfortunately, in some instances a presumed father may be forced to submit to a court ordered paternity test. The process involved is different from using home paternity testing kits and the results can be used in legal child custody and support cases.

What’s Involved in a DNA Paternity Test?

Most home paternity testing kits available or professional DNA test facilities will require a simple swab to collect sample DNA from the inside of the cheeks. The swab is similar to a Q-tip, but made of a more resilient material (Dacron) that preserves the quality of the sample genetic material. This is painless and only requires a few or more seconds to perform. Watching the following video may help.

After this is done, either by you or an independent professional, the samples, along with perhaps information verifying your identification are sent to the DNA paternity testing lab that you have chosen. This may take two to five days at least, depending on various factors such as the quality of the testing methods used and the validity of the samples provided.

Once the DNA test results are processed, you will almost certainly receive a report indicating the validity of the genetic analysis. What you do with the results is a much more compelling question, and may raise even more concerns.

How much does a DNA Paternity Test Cost?

In the past, most paternity tests usually cost more than $1,000 U.S., but because of recent advances in technology and increased competition, the price has come down significantly. You can find an affordable paternity test kit for between $100 and $300 U.S. They may even be available to you soon at a Wal-Mart or other store at an even lower price.

You should be not only concerned with the price, but the quality of the results, especially if it involves child custody or support issues. If all you desire is paternity confirmation, then choose a private at home paternity test.

For mothers and fathers suspecting less than the truth, and especially if becoming involved in child custody or support issues, it may be better to consider a higher priced option that involves an independent consultant that ensures the legality of the DNA paternity test results. It may be cheaper to pay more initially to avoid possible future costs.

Paternity DNA Testing and Legal Procedures

For a court to accept DNA test results as evidence of paternity, it is essential that the court can be certain that the correct procedures have been followed, right from the taking of the samples to the reporting of the results.

First the Affair, then the Paternity Test

According to Dan Leigh, the marketing director with DNA Solutions, a global DNA test firm with offices in 40 countries, the number of women opting for the prenatal paternity test shot up from 20 in 2002 to 500 last year.

Finding DNA Testing Centers
You should strive to find the right paternity testing facility that can deal with all your paternity testing and dna testing needs. You will want to be aware of all the credentials of each place.

Hundreds of Women have Prenatal Paternity Tests

A prenatal paternity test, which can increase the risk of miscarriage, is seen as unethical by some DNA laboratories and pro-life groups.

DNA Testing: Bring Brothers and Sisters Together

There’s no doubt that the modern field of paternity testing specifically and dna testing in general has come a long way in the last few years. As evidenced by popular television shows and reports we read about in newspapers and online.