How long does it take for a DNA paternity test to come back?
Court Ordered Paternity Test For Child Support cases
The turnaround time for this court-ordered paternity testing through the state on average is 6-8 weeks, sometimes longer.
The state may opt to pay for your paternity test on your behalf but, more times than not the state will require you to reimburse the state for your DNA test.
Legal Paternity Test without a court-order
The turnaround time for this result is 1 to 3 business days from the date the lab receives all DNA samples.
This second scenario is performed when an alleged father and/or mother opts to pay for the court-ordered paternity test privately by utilizing a company like DNA Paternity Tests NJ.
Using our service we provide are AABB accredited services performed by our partner laboratory. The accreditation is important for establishing a legal chain of custody which required to be recognized by family court.
Is a DNA test mandatory for child support?
Currently, there is no statute that we are aware of that enforces DNA testing for the purposes of determining paternity for child support. That being said, performing a paternity test is currently the most efficient method of determining the biological father of a child.
This is why family court judges and other state institutions recommend a DNA testing result as a form of evidence that can be used to help prove proof of biological relationships between a father and child.
Now, we do recommend that you contact a legal professional familiar with your state laws to help assist you with your state’s paternity guidelines. Remember, each state is different and we believe it is important that you understand your state’s paternity laws before filing any petition.
If you need legal paternity testing service, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 973-609-5102 for an appointment.
Where can I get a paternity test?
Contact our office at 973-609-5102 to schedule an appointment in city near you in New Jersey or nationwide.
DNA Testing Requirements:
What will be needed to perform a legal paternity test is state-issued identification for both the alleged father and mother of the child and the child if they are over the age of 18 years old.
Common identification that can be used are as follows.
- State ID
- Drivers License
- Passport
Please note, New York residents must acquire one of the following before they can schedule an appointment.
- A prescription referral from a NYS licensed doctor
- A court-ordered from Judge
- Or, A letter from a NYS licensed Attorney
One of the above-mentioned documents are required to stay within the New York State Dept of Health guidelines to perform a DNA test.
How much does a paternity test cost?
The cost of a legal paternity test starts at $375.00 and up. Please note, DNA sample collection fees are not included into cost.
Initiating the Paternity Testing Process:
How do I petition the court for a DNA test?
To petition the court for a DNA test see the process below.
- Obtain the appropriate form from your local court or child support agency. For example, California, Texas, and New York provide specific forms for this purpose.
- Fill out the form completely. If you need assistance, consider seeking help from a lawyer offering unbundled services or a legal paraprofessional, where available.
- Bring necessary documents to court, such as the child’s birth certificate.
- File the petition with the court. There may be a filing fee, typically around $50.
- Serve the petition on the other party. This may involve additional costs, around $50 or more if using a private process server.
- Attend the court hearing as scheduled. The judge will review your petition and may order the DNA test.
The process may vary slightly depending on your jurisdiction. If you’re receiving public assistance, the state may initiate this process on your behalf.
Now, we do recommend that you contact a legal professional familiar with your state laws to help assist you with your state’s paternity guidelines. Remember, each state is different and we believe it is important that you understand your state’s paternity laws before filing any petition.
If you need legal paternity testing service, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 973-609-5102 for an appointment.
