How Does a Home Paternity Test Work?
Each year, 40% of US babies are born to unmarried parents. The number of babies born to unmarried parents is on the rise. So, it should be no wonder so many people are searching for home paternity tests.
A home paternity taste is just as effective and reliable as those given in court or prescribed by a doctor. They offer the added benefits of being extremely discreet and easy to use.
The only time an at-home paternity test won’t work is if the child is still in the womb. Then, you would need to draw blood, which is better performed in a sterile laboratory setting.
Are you considering getting a paternity test for yourself or the father of your child? If so, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn how these tests work and the benefits they provide.
What Is a Home Paternity Test?
A home paternity test is a DNA test people can use to find out the identity of a child’s father. Unlike legal paternity tests, you don’t have to go to a lab or hospital. You can collect DNA samples from the father and the child at home.
How Do Paternity Tests Work?
Paternity tests work using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) testing methods. STRs are regions of DNA that can act as a genetic fingerprint. Mothers and fathers, and their children share 50% of this DNA fingerprint.
As long as you have access to DNA from the father and the child, you can collect it at home and send it off for lab analysis. Here’s how that works.
Order the Paternity Test Kit
You can order an at-home paternity test from companies like ReliaLabTest. You place your order online and receive a testing kit in the mail. The kit will contain the following items:
- Detailed instructions for DNA collection
- Methods to collect DNA (more on these next)
- A sterile envelope for the DNA sample
At ReliaLabTest, we also send you a return envelope. That way, you can send us your results, and we will test them in our lab for free.
Collect the DNA Sample
Once you receive your paternity test kit in the mail, read through the instructions for DNA collection. We recommend obtaining DNA through cheek swabs. Hair samples, nail clippings, and toothbrush samples will also suffice.
The legality of collecting DNA samples without someone’s consent is in a gray area. To avoid legal ramifications, we recommend getting consent from both parents if the child is under 18 and all parties if the child is 18 or older.
Send Samples for Review
When you order a paternity test from ReliaLabTest, you only need to purchase the kit. Paternity DNA testing is included with your purchase. All you have to do is mail your sample in the return envelope we provide and wait for your results.
DNA Sample Analysis
Labs use complex scientific processes like Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCRs) and Gel Electrophoresis to analyze the results. These techniques can provide a high level of accuracy, so you can trust the results you get.
When ordering DNA test kits online, always make sure the company you order from is or partners with an American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) lab. That will ensure your test accuracy.
Get Your Results
It doesn’t take long to get the results of a paternity test. Your results will arrive in the mail a few days after sending in your results.
Before we move on, we want to note that you can not use home paternity tests against someone in a court of law. If you are looking for legal paternity tests, ReliaLabTest can help.
What Are the Benefits of Home Paternity Tests?
There are countless benefits of ordering a home paternity test. Below, we discuss just a few of them.
They’re Discreet
You can take DNA tests at home instead of going to an unfamiliar lab. You don’t have to share that you’re taking the test with anyone but your family. And no one has to know the results except you and your family.
They’re Fast
It takes minutes to collect DNA samples for a home paternity test. Once you send off your samples, you can expect to get your results in as little as three to five days.
They’re Accurate
When you order your home paternity test from a reputable company like ReliaLabTest, your results are just as reliable as in-lab test results. You can have peace of mind that you won’t receive a false positive or negative.
They’re Easy to Use
Paternity tests do not involve blood drawing or any other difficult means of collecting DNA. It’s easy to collect DNA samples for the test using the detailed instructions that come with your kit.
They’re Affordable
Compared to legal DNA tests, at-home kits are far more affordable. But keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Avoid cheap paternity tests because the results may not be as reliable.
Do You Need Modern Tests for Paternity, Maternity, and More?
A home paternity test will not stand up in court, but it can give you and your family peace of mind. These modern test kits are simple to use, highly accurate, relatively affordable, and discreet. They also offer fast results.
Are you searching for an at-home paternity test you can trust? We specialize in DNA testing, as well as drug screening (DOT drug testing, mouth swab drug test kits, and hair follicle drug testing), alcohol screening, STD testing, and allergy tests. Order a test online today!
