Legal DNA testing
Court-admissible DNA testing services for child support, inheritance rights and more.
Select your Legal DNA Relationship Test
Legal Paternity test
The DNA Paternity Test will conclusively determine whether an alleged father is the true biological father of a child.
Legal Maternity test
The DNA Maternity Test will conclusively determine whether an alleged mother is the true biological mother of a child.
Legal Grandparent Test
The DNA Grandparent Test determines the likelihood that grandparents are the biological grandparents of a child.
Legal Sibling test
The DNA Sibling Test determines the likelihood that alleged siblings are full siblings, half siblings, or not related at all.
Legal Aunt/Uncle Test
The DNA Aunt/Uncle Test determines the likelihood that an alleged aunt or uncle is the true biological aunt or uncle of a child.
Legal Cousin Test
The DNA Cousin Test determines the likelihood that two individuals are biologically related as first cousins.
Legal vs. Private DNA Testing
Private DNA relationship tests are suitable for individuals who wish to find out the truth about a biological relationship in private, before deciding on the next step.
For private knowledge testing, the DNA sample can be collected by anyone, without any witnessing, fingerprinting or other legal obligations. The sample collection process is quick and easy, and takes just minutes to complete.
Legal DNA relationship tests are intended for court use and are accepted as legal evidence of a biological relationship in court.
For legal DNA testing, sample collection must be performed and witnessed by an unbiased third party who has no interest in the outcome of the test. You may choose to arrange your own sample collection and witnessing services or our knowledgeable staff can arrange help you to arrange sample collection appointments at one of our collection facilities.
Both legal and private DNA tests are equally accurate. The only difference is whether the sample collection is witnessed or collected in private.
Over 1,000 Locations
With our convenient locations and professional services, you can trust that your legal DNA testing needs will be taken care of quickly and accurately.
Court-Approved Testing
Our testing laboratory is AABB, CAP, and ISO17025 accredited, ensuring that our DNA test results are legally admissible in court in every state.
The Genetrace Difference
Free consultation
Most accredited lab
Legally admissible results
Excellent support
High volume
Over 1000 locations
FAQ
Get answers to commonly asked questions about this test kit.
Legal DNA testing is a court-admissible process to establish biological relationships for legal purposes such as child custody, child support, immigration, and inheritance disputes. Unlike at-home DNA tests, legal tests follow a strict chain-of-custody process, ensuring the results' accuracy, reliability, and acceptance in legal proceedings across the United States and Canada.
Yes. Genetrace's legal DNA tests are court-admissible and can be used as legal evidence of biological relationships in court proceedings throughout the United States. Our testing laboratory holds several important accreditations that validate our testing processes:
- AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks)
- CAP (College of American Pathologists)
- ISO 17025
- CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)
These accreditations ensure that our legal DNA tests meet or exceed industry standards for accuracy, reliability, and quality control.
- Paternity: Is this man the child's father?
- Maternity: Is this woman the child's mother?
- Siblings: Are these people related as full or half-siblings?
- Grandparentage: Is this person the grandparent of the child?
- Aunt/Uncle: Is this person related to the child as an aunt or uncle?
The main differences in sample collection are:Legal DNA Testing:
- Conducted by a neutral third party
- Photo ID required for all adult participants
- Photographs taken of all participants
- Thumbprints collected from all participants
- Strict chain-of-custody documentation
- Samples sealed in tamper-evident packaging
Non-Legal DNA Testing:
- Can be self-administered at home
- No ID verification required
- No photographs or thumbprints taken
- No chain-of-custody documentation
- Samples typically mailed back to the lab by the participants
Standard legal DNA test results are typically available within 1-2 business days after all samples arrive at our laboratory.
A chain-of-custody process followed used to maintain the integrity and legal admissibility of DNA test results. It involves:
- Witness verification: An impartial third party witnesses the sample collection and verifies the identity of all participants.
- Tamper-evident sealing: Samples are sealed in tamper-evident packaging immediately after collection.
- Documentation: Detailed records are kept of every person who handles the samples, including dates, times, and purposes.
- Results certification: A qualified expert certifies the final results.
DNA sample collection for legal purposes must be performed and witnessed by an unbiased third party following a strict chain-of-custody procedure. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you arrange for sample collection and witnessing services at one of our collection facilities. If the participants live in different cities, separate sample collection appointments can be scheduled at collection facilities closest to each person (additional fees may apply).
If you prefer to arrange your own sample collection and witnessing services, our laboratory will ship a legal DNA sample collection kit to an address that you provide, and you are responsible for selecting your own 3rd-party unbiased specimen collector.
Yes! Our laboratory is one of the few laboratories in the world that is fully accredited by ISO/IEC 17025, AABB, and CAP for DNA relationship testing, and we are approved to conduct immigration DNA testing services for the following countries:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
For more information about DNA immigration testing, please contact us by email at immigration@genetrace.com. We have decades of experience in providing immigration DNA testing services, so you can rest assured that your family's case will be in good hands.
The cost of a legal DNA test depends on several factors, including the type of test, the number of participants, and any additional services requested, such as mobile collection or expedited testing. Please visit our individual legal test pages or contact our customer service for a detailed pricing breakdown based on your specific needs.
Absolutely. We prioritize your privacy and adhere to strict confidentiality protocols. Your results will only be shared with authorized individuals.
Need help deciding if this is the right test for you?
Contact us today for a free consultation.
