Sometimes in life, you might want to prove whether you are a biological father to someone or not. It could be for personal knowledge or legal requirement as proof in a court case.
All the same, you will need to get accurate results at the correct prices. You can conduct a blood test or cheek swabs to get precise results.
A paternity test can be conducted during pregnancy, after birth, or in adulthood. Before choosing where to conduct a paternity test, you must look at particular things, including lab certification, cost, and the time you are likely to wait for the results. Read here to learn more about paternity tests.
DNA Paternity Costs
Before applying for a paternity test in any laboratory, the paternity test cost is a significant consideration. The price is determined by several factors, including the number of people to be tested. The test’s purpose also matters; will the DNA test results be required to change a name in a birth certificate, child custody, or support, and whether the test is just for personal knowledge and peace of mind. You can take the test at a medical laboratory or home using a paternity test kit; the paternity test cost will differ.
Paternity Test Cost in a Medical Lab
A lab paternity test can be done during pregnancy, immediately after the child is born, or in adulthood.
The Standard Costs
If the individual does not have insurance cover, a paternity test conducted after birth costs approximately $ 150. The patient has to purchase the at-home test kit and bring it to the lab for this amount. Standard laboratory tests for a similar case will cost between $ 400 and $ 800. The DNA material is collected using the simple cheek swab method.
For a typical case where the DNAs of both parents are available, the paternity test cost will be $ 500 and $ 730 if the DNA of the biological mother is absent.
The DNA materials are collected through an invasive method in prenatal paternity testing. For persons without health insurance cover, the standard cost for this procedure is between $ 1000 and $ 2000. Here is a breakdown of the paternity test costs; the DNA test is $ 475, the collection procedure, which a gynecologist must perform, tops up between $ 500 and $ 1500 to make a total of $ 2000.
Under normal circumstances, health insurance does not cover a paternity test cost as it is not considered an essential medical procedure. However, a DNA collection can be done if a pregnant woman needs amniocentesis for other reasons than paternity testing.
Average Costs for Home Paternity DNA Test Kits
There are several paternity test kits you can use to confirm fatherhood at home. The paternity cost here depends on the equipment you buy, though most have a close price range. Most of these kits range between $ 89 and $ 99.99.
However, you can find kits as cheap as $ 59 and others with a high price as $ 115. Nevertheless, most people shy away from home test kits due to their long duration of waiting for results.
The Bottom Line
When taking a DNA paternity test for whatever reason, it is crucial to observe the essential considerations. Remember, the outcome can either build or destroy you or your family relationship. Find a doctor or lab you can trust.
