Affordable paternity testing is not as hard to find as you might think. Rather than physically going in to a clinic and being tested, which includes the cost of travel, testing, and loss of time to do other things by spending it in the clinic, there are tests that can be done right from the comfort of your own home. These tests are available online, are easy to use, and can be shipped back to the company with a small fee for quick analysis.
Why paternity testing?
Numerous legal and personal reasons abound for the purpose behind affordable paternity testing. Peace of mind, child support, custody, or adoption will be maintained or influenced by the paternity results. Testing can also be used for immigration or citizenship verification, to secure inheritance or benefits (like social security and insurance), and is sometimes even used in forensic testing for court cases to prove whether someone was present at the crime.
Where to find affordable paternity testing services
Literally hundreds of DNA testing companies have web sites on the internet touting their services. With such an overwhelming supply to choose from, how can you differentiate one from another? The bottom line is that most are the same, and you pretty much can’t go wrong. Many companies will send you the kit, include instructions for sending it back, and will have results ready for you within two to three business days. As with most internet shopping, be sure the company is valid and not fraudulent. Be wary of companies who insist that you pay strictly with credit card. Pay with a personal check or cashier’s check that you can cancel if something goes awry. Call the toll free number provided by each company’s web site to verify their ordering information and to be sure you are dealing with a reliable source.
How does my affordable paternity testing work?
Paternity tests are a form of DNA testing, which means the examination of an individual’s DNA strand to determine genetic identification and relationships between two people. Paternity tests are used to prove biological relationships between an alleged father and offspring, or to verify ethnic background. These tests often cannot be used as viable evidence in a court of law. Usually there must be an informed, unbiased witness (such as a doctor or someone who is familiar and competent with the procedure) present when the DNA sample is taken.
Most home paternity test kits send plastic swabs to your home. Use these to swipe the inner cheek of the alleged father and the child. It is painless, quick, and practically impossible to mess up. Then, place the swabs in the labeled return bags provided and send them back to the clinic. Here they will compare the genetic composition of the child and the father. Since an offspring receives half of its DNA composition from its mother and the other half from the father, each person’s genetic material should share common characteristics. If the strands match, the company will send word that the tests were statistically significant in proving a relationship. Many companies make sure their tests are 99% accurate in order for the results to be significant.
By Lyndsey Payzant