Frequently Asked Questions

Genetica DNA Laboratories has an extensive, established network of specimen collection sites nationwide and in many countries worldwide. All scheduling and arrangements for specimen collections are made centrally by contacting Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc.

Once we receive your information and payment arrangements are made, we will provide you/your client with the location (usually it is a local laboratory or hospital within approximately 30 minutes drive), date, time, and name of your contact person for the specimen collection.

When DNA testing is done to establish if a man is the child’s biological father, DNA samples are collected from the child, from the child’s alleged father, and if possible, from the child’s mother. The collection of the mother’s DNA sample is not absolutely necessary when DNA testing is done for the establishment of paternity between a child and the tested man. However, the presence of the mother’s DNA sample helps the DNA testing laboratory to identify in the child those genes that the child received from the mother, and this information improves the accuracy of DNA testing for paternity. The laboratory can perform a highly accurate DNA paternity test without the mother's sample by performing additional DNA analysis (called single parent-child DNA paternity test). Genetica DNA Laboratories does not charge extra fees to perform this more extensive testing.

In cases where the mother is not tested, the child's custodian must authorize testing if the alleged father does not have custody of the tested child. The sample collector is required to obtain informed consent for DNA parentage testing from each tested individual prior to sample collection. This consent for DNA testing is documented in writing. In cases where a minor child or an incapacitated adult is tested, the tested person’s legal guardian provides informed consent for DNA parentage testing. The legal guardian consenting for the DNA testing for a minor child or an incapacitated adult is required to provide his/her proof of identity and full contact information.

For DNA Grandparentage Testing, DNA Sibling Testing, and Family DNA Reconstructions, contact Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. for guidance in the determination of which individuals should provide specimens for these DNA tests.

No. DNA parentage testing can be performed at any age. The individual’s DNA remains unchanged from conception to end of their lifetime. The accuracy of DNA parentage test is not affected by the age of the tested individual.

When DNA testing is preformed on samples collected from the inner cheek with buccal swabs, a history of blood transfusion or bone marrow transplant generally does not affect the DNA parentage testing process. However, you should provide information about your blood transfusion and bone marrow transplant history to the DNA testing laboratory, especially in those cases when DNA testing is performed using blood samples.

DNA samples must be collected by trained, independent professionals. During the DNA sample collection, DNA sample collectors first document the identity of the tested persons in accordance with the established procedures. Photographs are taken of all persons at the time of specimen collection. Then, DNA sample collectors obtain consent from the tested individuals authorizing them to collect samples for the purpose of DNA parentage testing. Furthermore, the DNA sample collectors ensure that the integrity of DNA samples is maintained, and that the DNA samples are securely packaged and transported to the DNA laboratory for testing.

Adults presenting for specimen collection need to bring:

1. Picture ID (i.e. driver's license or passport).

2. Payment for the collection of specimens.

1. Birth certificate, Social Security Card (if available) or crib card.

No. Specimens may be collected at different times and at different locations. However, we recommend that whenever possible, it is best that specimens are collected at the same time.

No. Alcohol, drugs or any other forms of medications do not affect the DNA parentage test results. However, it is important that the mouth be free of food, etc. to ensure the best possible sample collection.

DNA samples are very stable, they can be stored for many months and even for many years prior to DNA parentage testing, and they still produce highly accurate and conclusive results.

All arrangements for sample collections within the United States and overseas are made by Genetica staff. Contact Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. with your request for DNA Parentage Testing and we will make ALL specimen collection and DNA testing arrangements for you.

The GENETICA DNA Test™ for paternity is the most extensive and accurate DNA test available, with typical power of Exclusion of 99.999999%. SeeGuarantee.

In most cases, results are available in approximately 48 hours from the time that all the specimens are received in our laboratory.

Our experienced laboratory professionals have developed automated and streamlined laboratory testing processes that allow us to provide you with the quickest testing turnaround time in the country. However, remember that our goal is to provide you with the most accurate DNA test results available anywhere. If your case requires special attention with additional testing due to genetic mutations or other special family circumstances, our laboratory professionals will give you the care and the time needed to provide you with irrefutable results. Whatever your specific circumstances require, you can count on the quickest turnaround in the country. We will not sacrifice the quality or the accuracy of your test results in order to give you quick results. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a specific completion date.

Upon request, tested individuals and legal guardians who provided consent for DNA parentage testing on account of a minor child or an incapacitated adult may request to have their DNA parentage test results reports forwarded to them and/or to their representatives. All requests for DNA parentage test results reports must be directed to the DNA testing laboratory in writing. Test results will be mailed to all tested adults and to representative(s) they may have listed such as an attorney, physician, agency or a relative. Results may be faxed, or made available through a secure web portal to a designated legal or medical representative.

When DNA parentage testing is done in the context of immigration, the DNA testing laboratory forwards all DNA parentage test results directly to the Embassies. These DNA test results are sent to the Embassies together with photographs of the tested individuals, copies of official photograph identifications, and consent documents that were taken during the sample collections.

You are strongly encouraged to contact the Genetica DNA laboratories, Inc. with any questions you have regarding the interpretation of DNA test results you see on your test report. Genetica's experienced technical personnel will gladly explain to you all the data present on your report, answer your questions regarding the interpretation of test results, and address any other DNA testing concerns you may have.

Yes. The report is a legal, notarized document that can be presented in court as evidence of parentage or non-parentage.

In most cases, DNA testing for parentage has the ability to establish that the tested individual is the child’s uncle (or the child’s aunt) instead of being the child’s parent. The child’s parent and uncle are close relatives and therefore, they share many genetic markers in common. When two alleged fathers who are close relatives are tested in order to determine which one of these two men is the child’s biological father, it is a good practice to inform the DNA testing laboratory that the two alleged fathers are close relatives. This information will alert Genetica laboratory to conduct extended DNA testing to distinguish the child’s parent from the child’s uncle, if such extended testing is needed in some cases.

No. The DNA test for parentage examines regions in DNA that specifically disclose information regarding biological family relationships. The DNA regions examined during DNA parentage testing do NOT reveal any information regarding genetic disorders or other illnesses.