How to Get a Paternity Test

Questionable paternity is a situation that no parent wants to be in. By getting a paternity test, you can find out the father of the child by having his DNA analyzed. If the woman had more than one sexual partner at the time of conception, she would most likely need to get the paternity of the child tested.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Find a location that offers paternity testing. Ask your family doctor for a recommendation. If the test is court ordered, the court will provide you with a list of laboratory facilities that perform the test.
2. Contact all parties that need to be tested. The mother, child and suspected father or fathers will all need to visit the facility to get tested.
3. Allow blood to be taken from each party. A cotton swab from the inside of the cheek can also be used for DNA testing.
4. Wait for the results. You will be contacted by the facility typically within a week to come in to receive the results of the test. DNA paternity testing is more than 99% accurate.
5. Receive counseling for yourself and the child. Paternity testing can be an emotional experience and you want to make sure that you are getting professional help to get through this trying time.

Tips & Warnings

• Children of any age can undergo a paternity test.
• To ensure the identity of the parties being tested, DNA labs will take a photo of the person as well as a thumb print.
• If the mother or suspected father of the child is deceased, DNA paternity testing can still be performed.