Establishing paternity after death

Paternity testing plays a crucial role in confirming biological relationships, providing legal clarity and offering emotional closure and peace of mind.

In circumstances where the alleged father has passed away, verifying paternity can be a little more complicated. However, there are still several forms of DNA testing we can use to determine paternity after death.

In this blog, we discuss why post-mortem paternity testing might be needed, and the different testing methods available.

Why establish paternity after death?

There are several reasons why you might want to establish paternity following the death of the alleged father, including:

• Emotional closure: for some families, confirming paternity offers emotional closure, especially where there has been longstanding uncertainty surrounding the biological relationship between father and child.

• Sense of identity: for the child, knowing their true biological roots can provide peace of mind, and a sense of identity and belonging.

• Changes to official documents: once paternity is confirmed using a legal paternity test, this means that the father can be recognised on the child’s birth certificate. This can have lasting effects, particularly if it impacts future legal decisions regarding the child’s rights.

• Inheritance, wills & probate: verifying paternity ensures that the child is recognised as the legal heir to their father’s estate (where the man is confirmed to be the biological father).

• Access to additional benefits: confirmation of paternity may also be necessary to access insurance payments and other financial entitlements linked to the deceased.

Paternity testing methods after death

Once the alleged father has passed away, the process of confirming paternity becomes a little more complex due to the lack of direct DNA samples from the deceased.

However, there are several DNA testing methods we can use to verify paternity, without using a traditional cheek (buccal) swab sample from the alleged father.

• DNA testing of living relatives

  One of the most common ways of determining paternity after death is to test paternal relatives.

  Grandparent and aunt/uncle (avuncular) tests can be used to verify paternity by comparing the DNA of the child with the alleged father’s relatives. For these tests, cheek swab DNA samples are collected from the child and the relative being tested.

  Alternatively, a sibling DNA test can be performed to determine whether two or more children share the same father.

  For male children, Y-DNA chromosome testing can also be used to verify paternity. This is because males from the same paternal line will always share the same Y chromosome. For this test, cheek swab samples are required from the male child and the paternal grandfather or uncle, depending on who is taking the test.

  Learn more: Paternity testing without the father

• Viability testing

  If the alleged father has passed away recently, you can still perform a peace of mind paternity test using alternative DNA samples, such as the deceased’s nail clippings or their used toothbrush, to see if a viable DNA profile can be obtained.

  For court-admissible paternity testing – where sample collection is performed under chain of custody conditions – toenail clippings, tissue or blood can be used to obtain a viable DNA profile for testing.

  These samples are collected by the coroner or funeral director, who will complete a declaration form at the time of sample collection.

  It’s important to note that when testing the DNA of a deceased person, consent must always be obtained from the next of kin to retrieve a sample of their DNA for testing. This applies to peace of mind and court-admissible legal DNA tests.

  Learn more: DNA viability testing for court

Post-mortem paternity testing you can trust

We understand that ordering a paternity test can be difficult, especially in circumstances where a loved one has passed away. That’s why we have made the process as straightforward as possible – so you can find the answers you need, with our support.

We have over 20 years’ experience helping people connect with family and find out the truth about their biological relationships. All DNA testing is performed at our state-of-the-art UKAS-accredited laboratory, and all our DNA tests can be offered for peace of mind or legal/official matters, depending on your needs.

We also offer high-quality DNA testing services for the legal profession, the police and coroners.

For more information, call our friendly and discreet Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300 or email info@alphabiolabs.com.

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