Legal Paternity Testing

Paternity testing is the single avaliable means  to establish paternity with scientific accuracy and reliability. Legal paternity testing is required when you want results which will be accepted by a court of law. Going about a legal paternity test requires certain steps that are hereunder discussed.

When Do I need a Legal test?

A court admissible paternity test can be used for a number of reasons, amongst the main ones:

• Child custody
• Child maintenance
• Having a child legally recognized by his father
• Changing the name on a child’s birth certificate
• Immigration purposes

If you feel you simply harbor doubts about paternity and want to settle that doubt then you most probably do not need a legal paternity test but an at home paternity test.

How do I go about doing a Legal Paternity Test?

A legal paternity test (sometimes called a legal aid paternity test) is done following a very strict procedure which is referred to as a ‘chain of custody’. Once you have ordered your DNA testing kit you will need to have your samples collected by an independent third party who is neutral to the test. This person is referred to as a Sampler and is often a qualified doctor or nurse. The Sampler will physically rub the swabs in the mouths of the interested parties and then place then back into their corresponding envelopes to be sent back for testing. Once the results are ready they will be sent to you, the person who has ordered the test.

The sampler is needed to make sure that no one cheats in the paternity test by for example submitting someone else’s mouth swabs.  Other situations are avoided through a legal aid paternity test such as the following: sometimes test participants who are not doing a legal paternity test may, accidentally or deliberately, switch swabs and place the father’s swabs in the envelope allocated for the mother. This would be picked up in the laboratory and swabs would have to be re-submitted.

What do I Need to Take with Me for My Court Admissible Paternity test?

You will need to take the following with you and present them to the Sampler that is responsible for overseeing the legal paternity test:

• Passport photos: the Sampler will have to declare, by signing the back of the photos, that the person from which the DNA sample was gathered bears the true likeness of the person in the photo
• A form of identity will be required that is recognized and not expired. This may include a passport, driver’s license or identity card
• You will need to supply photocopies of your chosen document for identification and sign the back of these
• If any children are taking part in the test you will need to provide their birth certificate

Legal paternity testing is reliable and accurate and the DNA testing company you select can fully advise you on any further information you may need on your specific case.