Determining Paternity: A Guide to DNA Testing and Legal Options

Having a baby should be a wonderful experience, but if you are unsure who the father is, it can difficult both emotionally and legally. The easiest way to find out who the father of your child is is to take a paternity test by testing the potential fathers' DNA. You can take the test at home, but these are not admissible in court. If you need to determine the parentage for legal reasons, you should get it done in a licensed facility.

Instructions

• 1

  Book an appointment with your family doctor to discuss what kind of paternity test you want. If you're just having one for peace of mind, a home kit might be easier. But if you need to determine the parentage for legal reasons, get your doctor to recommend a licensed and accredited facility. If you are using a home kit, get your doctor to recommend a reliable website to order your kit.

• 2

  Contact all the people who need to get tested. This includes the mother, the child and anyone who could potentially be the father.

• 3

  Collect DNA samples from everyone, either through a small blood test or by swabbing the inside of the cheek. If you are getting tested at a center, they will do this for you. If you are using an at-home kit, carefully follow the directions provided and send the samples back in separate envelopes to the lab.

• 4

  Wait for the results. They should usually come in within a week and in some cases you can pay for a faster service. DNA tests are almost 100 percent accurate.