How soon can you do a paternity test?

How soon can you do a paternity test? Can you DNA test a baby before it has been born? How quickly can you get the results? In this article we’ll answer some common questions about early DNA testing…

How soon can you do a paternity test?

A prenatal paternity test can be performed before a baby is born. This test can be carried out from as early as 7 weeks after conception (or 9 weeks after the last period). It is a non-invasive method that requires a blood sample from the mother and a mouth swab from the alleged father. This advanced procedure preserves and then analyses the baby’s DNA that is found within the mother’s bloodstream. This means that there is no risk to the mother or the unborn child when taking this test (unlike an invasive prenatal test in which embryonic fluid is taken directly from the womb using a needle). This prenatal paternity test is for peace of mind only and cannot be used for legal purposes.

A standard paternity test can be performed immediately after birth. The method of collecting a sample for DNA analysis is very simple and straightforward. A blood sample isn’t needed. All you need to do is rub a mouth swab (much like a cotton bud) on the inside of the newborn baby’s cheek for about 20 seconds. It is a very quick and painless procedure to collect cheek cells and should cause no distress to the baby. We would also need a mouth swab from the alleged father, and the mother if available. The buccal cells that are collected on the mouth swabs are then analysed for DNA back at our laboratory.

If you require a paternity test for any legal matters, such as the CMS, changing a name on a birth certificate, family law matters, immigration applications, or inheritance and probate disputes, you will need a legal DNA test. In these cases, a trained sample collector would need to visit an address of your choice to collect the baby’s DNA sample under strict chain of custody conditions. This ensures that the sample has not been tampered with, and the results can therefore stand up in court as being legally binding.

How soon can I get the paternity test results?

Peace of mind paternity testing provides highly accurate results the day after the samples are received in the laboratory for £99. Same day results can also be made available for an extra £70. The cost of legal paternity tests will vary, depending on the sample collection arrangements.

Prenatal paternity testing costs £795 for confidential results in 7 working days. Alternatively, an express 4-day service is available for an extra £200. Interest-free credit options are available.

Further details on peace of mind paternity tests, legal paternity testing and prenatal paternity tests can be accessed at our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you have any other queries, please call Customer Services on 0333 600 1300 or email info@alphabiolabs.com