DNA Paternity Test

Paternity testing is a highly accurate method of identifying whether a man is a child’s biological father.

For a peace of mind paternity test, cheek (buccal) swabs are used to collect cheek cell DNA from the potential father(s) and the child.

These samples can then be analysed and compared in the laboratory to identify matching DNA markers (loci) in the DNA samples.

Every person inherits half of their DNA from each of their biological parents, so such a comparison can help us to establish the probability of paternity.

When testing the biological father, both the man and the child will share enough identical sections of DNA to confirm a biological relationship. If the tested man is not the biological father, this will not be the case.

An AlphaBiolabs paternity DNA test looks at up to 45 DNA markers (loci) – double the industry standard for DNA testing – for accurate and reliable results.

AlphaBiolabs is the UK’s No.1 DNA testing laboratory, with over 20 years of experience providing at-home DNA testing for peace of mind.

We pioneered the fastest DNA results worldwide, with next-day* results available as standard for our Paternity Test – an achievement that saw us awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

We even offer same-day results for +£70.*

Additionally:

• We analyse up to 45 DNA markers (loci) – twice as many as our competitors
• We’re UKAS ISO 17025-accredited (No. 2773), ensuring our processes meet the highest international standards for accuracy and reliability
• Our easy-to-use home test kit allows you to collect your own DNA samples quickly in the privacy of your own home
• All tests are performed at our UK laboratory, so your samples won’t be sent abroad
• We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, based on reviews from real customers
• We prioritise your privacy and guarantee 100% confidentiality throughout the testing process. This includes sending your test kit in discreet, plain packaging, and delivering your password-protected results via secure email
• Accurate results, based on the samples we receive into our laboratory
• Only a simple cheek swab required – the test can even be done on new-born babies

*Business days from when your samples arrive at our laboratory, before 10am.

A ‘peace of mind’ test means that the paternity test can be self-administered at home using one of our kits that we will send to an address of your choice, in discreet, plain packaging.

It can be used for your own knowledge and peace of mind, but as the samples will have been collected by you (self-administered) the results of the DNA test cannot be used in legal proceedings.

It is still an accurate and reliable form of paternity testing, and if you only need it for your own knowledge, then it is a more affordable solution to determining the paternity of a child.

A ‘court-approved’ paternity test is a test that can be used as proof of paternity in legal cases. The difference here is that the DNA samples are collected by a third party under chain of custody conditions. In these circumstances, a trained sample collector will ensure the DNA samples are collected from the right people, that the correct consent is obtained, and that the DNA samples are transported back to the laboratory to prevent the possibility of tampering.

The process in the laboratory and the results are just as accurate for a peace of mind test as they are for a legal paternity test. However, having the DNA samples collected under chain of custody conditions reduces the possibility of foul-play for legal paternity testing, such as tampering and bogus sample donation (e.g. the wrong person’s sample being used due to a fraudulent submission).

If you require a paternity test for your own knowledge, you can order a peace of mind paternity test online now.

If you require a paternity test for legal matters, you will need to instruct us for a legal paternity test.

We are approved by the Ministry of Justice to perform parentage testing, and our DNA test results are accepted by UK courts, UK Visas and Immigration, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), Family Court and HM Passport Office.

Our standard paternity test is already industry-leading, as it analyses 25 DNA markers (the industry standard only analyses 16-21 markers).

What makes AlphaBiolabs unique is that we can also analyse up to 45 DNA markers. This allows more genetic material to be analysed, which strengthens the result and provides additional reassurance.

This is ideal for customers who want the most powerful DNA test available.

It is also particularly useful:

• Where a close male relative may be the biological father of the child
• In cases that do not include the mother’s sample
• Simply where additional reassurance of a result is preferred

You can order a peace of mind paternity test online now for just £89, for results the next business day.* Alternatively, you can choose to receive results the same business day* for an additional £70.

The cost of the test includes all fees for laboratory testing and analysis.

Your test kit will be sent directly to your chosen address in discreet, plain packaging. Royal Mail First Class shipping is included with the cost of your test, or you could choose to receive your test kit sooner with Next Business Day Courier (+£9.95).

*business days from when the samples arrive at our laboratory before 10am

Your paternity test kit will be dispatched as soon as we receive your order and is usually posted out the same day (provided you instruct us before 2pm).

Royal Mail First Class delivery is included within the cost of your test, and usually takes 1-3 business days.

If you would like to receive your test kit sooner, you also have the option to upgrade to Next Business Day Courier (+£9.95)

Once the DNA samples arrive at our laboratory, testing can begin, and your secure, password-protected results will be emailed to you the next business day* as standard (or the same business day* if you have paid for this service).

All DNA test results are emailed out from 4:30pm each day.

*business days from when the samples arrive at our laboratory before 10am

A paternity test is performed by analysing and comparing the DNA samples of the potential father with that of the child.

The DNA samples are obtained using cheek (buccal) swabs which are rubbed gently and painlessly on the inside of each donor’s cheek to collect cheek (buccal) cells. A peace of mind paternity test – done for your own personal information – allows you to collect your own DNA samples quickly and easily at home, without the need for a third party to verify the sample collection.

Once you have returned the DNA samples to our laboratory, they are analysed by our in-house geneticists to determine whether the man is the biological father of the child.

If the tested man is the biological father, both will share enough DNA markers (loci) to verify a biological relationship. If the tested man is not the biological father, this will not be the case.

Use the swabs provided in your test kit and follow the instructions carefully to collect cheek swab samples from each person taking part.

When collecting your samples:

• Don’t eat, drink or smoke for 30 minutes before swabbing.
• Wash and dry your hands before collecting your sample.
• Complete the information required on the swab envelope BEFORE collecting your sample and inserting the used swab.
• Open one swab at a time.
• Avoid touching the swab tip and don’t place it on any surface.
• If collecting someone else’s sample, hold the swab stick as far away from the swab end as possible.
• Use the right envelopes for each person’s swab and seal them as instructed.
• Return your samples to our laboratory as soon as you have collected them.

Every person taking part must also register their test by completing an online registration and consent form. Simply follow the instructions in your kit to register your test.  

Learn more: How to collect your DNA sample at home

Before collecting your samples, DO NOT:

• Eat, drink or smoke for 30 minutes before swabbing. Residual food on swabs can cause mould or bacteria to grow, which can interfere with the test.
• Remove the swab from the sterile packaging until you are ready to collect your sample.
• Collect your sample from an area other than the inside of your cheek.
• Put your swab on a surface before or after sample collection.
• Put the swabs in plastic or sandwich bags before putting them into the sample envelope. The plastic stops the swabs from drying out, which can encourage microbial growth and degrade the DNA.

Learn more: How to collect your DNA sample at home

If the potential father can’t be tested, we can still help you find answers using our other DNA relationship tests:

• Sibling DNA testing 
  Compares two (or more) children to see if they share the same biological father (full- or half-siblings). We recommend that the biological mother(s) are included in the test, but this isn’t essential.

• Grandparent testing 
  Tests one or both of the potential father’s parents, along with the child. Best when both paternal grandparents can take part; but it’s still possible to perform the test with just one. We recommend that the biological mother of the child is included in the test, but this isn’t essential.

• Avuncular (aunt/uncle) testing 
  Tests the child and the potential father’s full sibling (brother or sister). As with the sibling DNA test, including the biological mother in the test can strengthen the results.

• Y Chromosome (Y-DNA) testing 
  All male children inherit their Y chromosome from their biological father. Because the Y chromosome is passed down almost unchanged along the paternal line, males from the same paternal family will share the same Y chromosome. If the child being tested is male, we can compare his DNA with that of a possible paternal grandfather or uncle to see if they share the same Y chromosome – helping to confirm a biological link through the father’s side of the family.

DNA testing can be an extremely sensitive subject, especially when it comes to testing children.

For example, many parents would be understandably reluctant to discuss the idea of paternity testing with their child, especially if the child is older and collecting a cheek swab sample for testing could lead to difficult conversations.  

In this scenario, a more discreet method of DNA sample collection using a used toothbrush or nail clippings might be preferred. This means the child would not need to be made aware that a test is being undertaken.

We start with a viability study to see whether a usable DNA profile can be recovered from the used toothbrush or nail clippings. If a DNA profile can be retrieved, we then perform the paternity test in the usual way, with cheek swab DNA samples from the other test participants.

Toothbrush and nail DNA tests can also be useful for people with developmental or sensory challenges, or if a person has recently passed away, as cheek swab samples cannot be collected from deceased individuals.

It’s important to remember that even where a discreet sample collection method is used, consent must still be provided by or on behalf of each person taking part in the test.

• Any person over the age of 16 must provide their own consent.
• For a child under the age of 16 only parental consent is required, which must be given by a person with parental responsibility.
• When testing the DNA of a deceased person, consent must be provided by the next of kin to retrieve a DNA sample for testing.

Learn more: Toothbrush and Nail DNA testing

A paternity test can be performed at any time on a person of any age, including newborn babies and grown up children/adults.

There is no minimum age requirement, and the procedure for collecting the DNA samples is totally painless. The DNA samples are collected using a cheek (buccal) swab which is rubbed gently and painlessly on the inside of the cheek to collect cheek (buccal) cells.

However, consent is crucial in DNA testing, regardless of the age of the participants. Any person over 16 years of age must provide their own consent for their DNA samples to be used in testing.

For children under the age of 16, consent must be provided on their behalf by a parent or guardian with parental responsibility for the child.

A paternity test can also be performed during pregnancy. To learn more, click here.

DNA testing can be an extremely emotional time, and not all our customers want other people to know that they are undertaking such tests.

That’s why we go to great lengths to ensure 100% privacy and confidentiality for our customers, from the moment you place your order, to the delivery of your results in a secure way.

Steps we take to ensure confidentiality throughout the testing process include:

• Shipping your test kit in discreet, plain packaging
• Sending your secure, password-protected results direct to the email address you provide when placing your order
• Keeping all correspondence confidential. For example, online payment transactions do NOT name AlphaBiolabs as the recipient on bank statements
• Limiting access to your personal data to those people who have a business need to know
• Protecting your data from being disclosed in an unauthorised way, by using a secure server for financial transactions on our website
• Adhering to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

No, the mother’s sample is not required for an AlphaBiolabs paternity test.

There is no minimum age requirement for paternity testing.

A paternity test can be performed on anyone of any age, including newborn babies and grown-up children/adults.

Sample collection is quick, easy and pain-free. Simply collect your cheek swab DNA samples at home using the swabs provided in your test kit, which are rubbed gently and painlessly on the inside of the cheek to collect cheek cells.

For our paternity test, all that’s required is a cheek (buccal) swab DNA sample from the potential father and the child. Cheek swabs remain the industry standard for paternity testing, making sample collection quick, easy and pain-free.

At AlphaBiolabs, we can also perform paternity testing using toothbrushes and nail clippings.

Toothbrush DNA testing and nail DNA testing is especially useful when collecting cheek swabs isn’t possible, for example, to avoid awkward questions from an older child, for people with developmental or sensory challenges, or if a person has recently passed away, as cheek swab samples cannot be collected from deceased individuals.

We also offer non-invasive prenatal paternity (NIPP) testing which is performed while the mother is still pregnant, from as early as 7 weeks gestation. For a NIPP test, we require a blood sample from the mother, and cheek swab samples from the mother and potential father.

AlphaBiolabs uses the very latest technology and techniques in DNA analysis to perform paternity testing.

Every human being is born with a DNA profile that is completely unique to them (except for identical twins, who share the same genetic material).

Each person inherits half of their genetic material from each of their parents, with mum and dad each passing half of their DNA profile to their children.

These profiles make up the building blocks of a person’s DNA.

In the laboratory, it is possible for DNA scientists to analyse the DNA of an individual and identify where a person shares matching ‘building blocks’ – alleles – with one or more people.

DNA markers that are shared between the tested individuals can determine whether they are related.

If you’ve been shopping around for a paternity test, you may also have noticed that many testing laboratories talk about the number of loci analysed within the cost of the test.

Loci is in fact the scientific term for the locations of DNA markers within a strand of DNA: a genetic ‘street address’ for a DNA marker within the DNA strand.

Because loci are located on chromosomes and we inherit one chromosome from each of our parents, each locus (location in the DNA strand) is home to two alleles (one from each parent).

AlphaBiolabs’ DNA tests, including our paternity tests, analyse up to 45 DNA markers (loci) – double the industry standard – to determine whether two or more people are biologically related.

In DNA test example (A.) you can see that the child has inherited half of its genetic material from its mother, and half from the potential father. This indicates that the man and child share enough DNA markers to verify a biological relationship.

In DNA test example (B.) you can see that the potential father does not share any DNA markers with the child and is therefore excluded from paternity (i.e. he cannot be the biological father).

Your paternity test report will include a conclusion with one of two statements.

For example, if we tested a potential father named John Smith and a child named Jane Smith, the paternity report might conclude:

• This result provides (extremely/moderately) strong support in favour of paternity
  This means that John Smith is considered to be the father of Jane Smith because the analysis shows that they share a parent–child relationship;

or

• This result excludes John Smith as the biological father of Jane Smith
  This means that John Smith cannot be the father of Jane Smith because the analysis shows that they do not share a parent–child relationship.

If you have requested the DNA technical data sheet to accompany your DNA profiling test report, you will also see technical data for each person tested.

Learn more: How do I understand my paternity test results? 
Learn more: Paternity test percentages explained

Our paternity testing is accurate and reliable, based on the samples we receive at our laboratory.

Better still, AlphaBiolabs is UKAS ISO 17025 accredited, meaning that we meet the highest international quality standard for testing laboratories, as recognised by the government.

DNA testing can be used to learn a number of things including susceptibility to a range of diseases; however, the DNA sample that is taken for our paternity test will only be used for paternity testing.

Customers can be reassured that information regarding their test results is only released to those individuals that the customer nominates.

DNA samples are destroyed 3 months after testing is completed. Customer data is destroyed 2 years after testing is completed, unless associated with a customer contract which specifies otherwise.

A home paternity test can help you confirm whether the tested man is the biological father of the child, give you results quickly and securely, and provide clarity so you can move forward with confidence.

A home paternity test cannot:

• Identify a father who isn’t tested – only people providing samples can be compared
• Provide health or ancestry information – it is purely focused on paternity
• Be used for court or official purposes – for legally-admissible results, you’ll need a legal paternity test

Home peace of mind paternity testing is completely legal, provided the correct consent is given for the sample donors participating in the DNA test.

The Human Tissue Act 2004, which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, includes a section (Section 45) on the non-consensual analysis of DNA and creates a new offence of DNA ‘theft’.

It is unlawful to have human tissue with the intention of its DNA being analysed, without the consent of the person from whom the tissue came. In Scotland, The Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 deals with the uses of human tissue, and similarly includes the non-consensual analysis of DNA. The offence of DNA theft thus applies UK-wide.

Failing to obtain or misusing consent could result in penalties of up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both.

As such, regardless of who is instructing the DNA test, authority is needed from or on behalf of each person whose samples are provided for DNA testing. This is required by all testing laboratories, not just accredited laboratories like AlphaBiolabs.

Any person aged 16 or over must provide their own consent to take part in DNA testing.

For children under 16 years of age, consent must be provided by a parent or guardian with parental responsibility for the child.

In the UK, a mother has parental responsibility for her child automatically from birth.

A father usually has parental responsibility if he’s either:

• Married to the child’s mother
• Listed on the birth certificate (after a certain date, depending on which part of the UK the child was born in)

No, DNA testing is not available free in the UK or on the NHS.

We never disclose any information to any person or body unless specifically told to release this information by the individuals taking the test.

This has never happened in over 20 years of performing DNA paternity testing.

Yes, it is possible to perform a paternity test before a baby is born.

Learn more about this test here.

An AlphaBiolabs Paternity Test kit includes:

• Peace of mind DNA test instruction sheet
• A self-addressed envelope to send your DNA test samples back to us
• Two collection swab packages containing one swab in each package
• Individual DNA test sample envelopes for the potential father and the child

Your test kit will be sent to your chosen address in discreet, plain packaging, for full confidentiality.

If you need to test more potential fathers or children, simply select how many people you want to test at checkout. You have the option to test up to 5 potential fathers and 5 children (additional charges apply).

It’s easy to order a Paternity Test online now.

If you’re unsure if the test is right for you, or simply want more information, call our friendly and discreet Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300 or email info@alphabiolabs.com.

Yes, you can still upgrade to a legal paternity test even if you have already ordered a peace of mind test.

Simply call us on 0333 600 1300 or email info@alphabiolabs.com, and our friendly, discreet Customer Services team will be happy to assist you.