DNA Paternity Test
- Results in 1-2 business days
- Easy at-home sample collection
- 2x Testing Guarantee
- AABB, ISO/IEC 17025 & CAP-CLIA Accredited
- Serving Families Across [the_region]
DNA Paternity Testing
Get clear answers about biological parentage with the DNA Tests Direct United States Home DNA Paternity Test. This discreet, easy-to-use kit lets you determine paternity from the comfort of home.
Simply collect painless cheek swabs from both the alleged father and child, then mail your samples to our accredited laboratory with free return shipping. Results are typically ready within 1-2 business days of sample receipt and can be accessed securely online.
This DNA test conclusive evidence of biological parentage, helping you confirm whether an alleged father is the child’s biological parent.
How it Works
Order your DNA Kit
Place your order online, and we’ll send you a DNA test kit with everything you need to collect your samples.
Collect your Samples
Follow the detailed, step-by-step instructions to collect DNA samples using the provided mouth swabs.
Lab Analysis
Use the provided return envelope to mail your DNA samples to our accredited laboratory for analysis.
Receive Results
Download your DNA results from your online account within 1-2 business days of sample receipt at the lab.
Establish Paternity with Confidence. Get Fast, Accurate DNA Answers.
DNA Tests Direct is committed to providing accurate, private, and reliable DNA testing services for families across the United States. Here’s how our at-home paternity test delivers certainty:
- Accredited Laboratory: Our testing laboratory holds major international accreditations, including AABB, CAP, and CLIA, ensuring your test is performed to the highest international standards.
- Fast and Accurate Results: Receive your confidential results online in just 1-2 business days from the moment our laboratory receives your samples.
- Guaranteed Accuracy: Our laboratory analyzes an extensive set of up to 27 genetic markers to deliver probabilities of paternity greater than 99.99999% for inclusions and 100% for exclusions.
- Dual-Process Testing: Every test undergoes our dual-process analysis, meaning your samples are independently tested twice to ensure 100% accuracy.
Understanding Your DNA Paternity Test Results
Your DNA Tests Direct paternity test report is designed for clarity, providing one of two definitive outcomes:
- Paternity Inclusion
If the alleged father is the biological father, the report will show a probability of paternity greater than 99.9999%. - Paternity Exclusion
If the tested man is not the biological father of the child, your report will definitively show a probability of paternity of 0%.
Read more on how to understand your paternity test results →
Why Choose DNA Tests Direct?
You don’t compromise on the things that matter, and neither do we. For over 25 years, DNA Tests Direct has been the premier choice for individuals, families, and professionals who need reliable results. We turn uncertainty into clear answers by combining proven laboratory science with a process that works around your schedule.
We pair this technical expertise with a deep respect for privacy, ensuring all client information is handled with the highest degree of security. With thousands of satisfied customers worldwide, DNA Tests Direct has become the trusted choice for genetic answers that matter.
Need a DNA Paternity Test for Legal Reasons in the United States?
Painless Mouth Swabs
Secure Online Results
Trusted Laboratory Expertise
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Home DNA Paternity Test?
A home DNA paternity test is a private and convenient kit designed to determine if a man is the biological father of a child. It is intended for personal knowledge and peace of mind, allowing you to get definitive answers from the comfort of your home. The kit arrives by mail and includes everything you need to proceed: simple mouth swabs for painless DNA collection, clear instructions, and a prepaid return mailer to send the samples to our laboratory for analysis.
Once you have collected the DNA samples, our laboratory compares the child’s DNA profile to the potential father’s profile across up to 27 genetic markers. To ensure complete reliability, every test undergoes our dual-process system, meaning the samples are independently analyzed twice. This allows us to generate a conclusive report confirming a paternal link with a probability greater than 99.9999% or excluding it with 100% certainty. Your confidential results are made available through our secure online portal in just 1-2 business days after sample receipt.
It is important to understand that a home DNA paternity test is for private knowledge only and is generally not admissible in legal proceedings. Because the samples are collected privately without independent verification, they do not meet the “chain of custody” documentation standards required by courts or government agencies.
If you need results for legal matters, a separate legal DNA paternity test with a witnessed collection process would be required.
What exactly will my paternity test results show?
Your paternity test report will clearly show one of two definitive outcomes: either “Inclusion” (the alleged father IS the biological father) with a probability greater than 99.9999%, or “Exclusion” (the alleged father IS NOT the biological father) with a probability of 0%.
Read our detailed guide on understanding your paternity test results →
What if the alleged father and child live at different addresses in the United States (or even internationally)?
If the test participants reside in different cities or states, we offer the option to split the DNA test kit and send the components to different addresses. Our laboratory will process the samples once they arrive at the lab, and each kit component is individually barcoded to ensure accuracy.
To request a split kit, you can provide the following information in the “”Additional Information”” section during checkout:
“Please send the alleged father’s kit to , and send the child’s kit to .”
Note: Additional shipping fees apply for multi-address orders.
Can I use the results from this paternity test in court?
If you require a DNA paternity test for legal purposes, such as child custody, child support, immigration, or inheritance claims, you will need to order our Legal Paternity Test. This test follows a strict chain-of-custody procedure to ensure the results are admissible in courts in the United States. The process includes having DNA samples collected by an impartial third party, verification of government-issued ID for participants, and having the samples sent directly to the testing laboratory.
Click here to learn more about legal DNA paternity testing →
What's the difference between a private and legal paternity test?
The primary difference between our at-home DNA test and a legal DNA test is the sample collection method. A legal test requires a strict “chain of custody” process where an approved, neutral third party must verify participants’ government-issued photo IDs and witness the DNA collection. This makes the results legally admissible for court proceedings, such as child support or custody, and for immigration applications.
In contrast, a private, at-home DNA test is designed for personal knowledge and peace of mind, allowing you to collect your samples discreetly in the privacy of your own home. While the laboratory analysis for both tests is identical and equally accurate, private test results are generally not accepted for legal purposes due to the lack of chain of custody protocols.
If you are in need of court-admissible paternity test results, please view our Legal DNA Paternity Test options instead.
Is there an expiry date for the test kit?
No, the DNA test kits do not have an expiration date and can be stored indefinitely before you collect the samples. However, after collecting the samples, please send them for testing within three months. Before sealing the specimen envelope, ensure the samples are thoroughly dry. When kept dry, the samples can remain viable for at least three months or longer at room temperature.
Is the collection process difficult?
The collection process is simple and painless. Your kit includes easy-to-use cheek swabs that you gently rub against the inside of the cheek for about 30 seconds. This collects more than enough DNA for testing without any blood or needles. The process works for everyone, including infants. Your kit includes clear instructions, and our customer service team is available if you need assistance.
Does this test require the mother's DNA sample?
While including the mother’s DNA sample can sometimes provide an even more conclusive result by helping to isolate the paternal DNA more definitively, it is not strictly necessary for a standard paternity test between an alleged father and a child. Our laboratory can perform a conclusive test without the mother’s sample.
In some rare special situations such as mutations or possible fathers are relatives, testing of the mother may be recommended. However, in unique cases such as situations involving mutations or potential fathers who are relatives, we may recommend including the mother in the testing process.
Read more: Should the mother be included in a paternity test? →
How accurate is the DNA Paternity Test?
Our DNA paternity tests are extremely accurate. When testing the alleged father and child, the results will conclusively determine paternity with a probability of 99.9999% or higher if he is the biological father, or 100% exclusion if he is not. Our accredited laboratory uses advanced DNA testing technology and stringent protocols to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
How long does it take to get the results once the lab receives the samples?
You can expect to receive your confidential results within 1-2 business days after our laboratory receives your samples. Depending on your notification preferences, we will notify you by email and/or SMS as soon as your results are available.
Are there any age restrictions for testing a child?
No, there are no age restrictions. Our buccal swab method is safe and effective for newborns, infants, children, and adults. For minors, consent from a parent or legal guardian with parental authority is required.
