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Can You Do a Paternity Test Without the Father? DNA Paternity Testing Without the Father

Aug 21, 2018 | Paternity

Child and mother coloring on paper and laughing

There are a lot of questions regarding what to know about DNA paternity testing, especially if you’re new to it. Paternity testing helps identify the true biological father of a child and provides clear evidence for legal issues or for people just seeking peace of mind. DDC answers several questions about DNA paternity testing without the father.

DNA Diagnostic Center’s (DDC) proprietary process allows a DNA paternity test without the father’s direct involvement. One way is to test one or both of the possible father’s parents or other first-degree relatives such as a brother, sister, or other known child. Non-standard samples from the possible father, such as a blood card if deceased, can also be used for testing. DDC specializes in using the most advanced methods to determine paternity for any scenario.

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Paternity Testing Using a Grandparent or Other Relative

If a possible father isn’t available for testing, the best choice is to test one or both of his parents. Another option is to test the child’s DNA against the DNA of a sibling using our Sibling Test or Half-Sibling Test. We can also determine paternity using another close relative of the potential father, such as a brother or sister. All these tests, including the mother’s DNA, significantly optimize conclusiveness. To order a paternity test using the potential father’s relatives, contact our DNA relationship specialists to determine the proper test for you.

Paternity Testing for Court or Other Legal Purposes

A legally-binding chain-of-custody paternity test is the best choice if you require paternity testing for legal purposes. A chain-of-custody form that authorizes the test must be signed and processed for the court to recognize the validity of the results. A chain-of-custody paternity test with court-admissible results, cheek swabs, and necessary paperwork are sent directly to one of approximately 5,000 nationwide DNA collection facilities testing facilities authorized to provide services for DDC. We make the appointments for all participants. At that appointment, the identities of all individuals tested are confirmed, and samples are carefully handled to prevent tampering. Within 24 to 48 hours after samples have arrived at the lab, you receive online results that can be used as evidence for legal matters.

Paternity Testing Using Hair or Other Non-Standard Samples

Non-standard samples such as hair or a toothbrush from a potential father can be tested, although other items such as discarded ear swabs or used tissue are better. When non-standard samples are the only option, we work with individuals to determine the best sample for each situation. Once we receive your sample at our laboratory outside Cincinnati, Ohio, we will determine a profile from the possible father’s DNA. If the sample is sufficient, we compare this DNA profile to the DNA collected from the child’s cheek swabs to determine the probability of paternity. Results from this process are typically available within 5 to 10 business days but may take more or less time, depending on the quality of the sample.

How Accurate is a DNA Paternity Test?

DNA tests are powerful tools when determining paternity in divorce, custody, or child support cases. They help women identify biological and possible fathers and prove they are not biological fathers. The science has been rigorously tested and described in scientific journals. Results from our legal paternity tests are recognized in courts worldwide as proof of paternity.

How Many DNA Tests Are Done Each Year?

In 2006, the National Institutes of Health conducted a study showing that 300,000 paternity tests are performed yearly in the United States. Since then, that number has grown steadily, climbing to 400,000, according to the New York Times. The latter article also notes that men who question whether they are the biological father of the child they’re raising are, in fact, not the biological father about 30% of the time, which is a high percentage.

The AABB, an independent accreditation body for DNA testing, claims the number has surged to 500,000. Most of these tests are requested by child support agencies.

Paternity tests are useful for proving paternity in divorces and other legal cases. If the possible father isn’t available or willing to test, there are options for getting proof of paternity. If you are trying to determine paternity for legal matters, order a legal chain-of-custody test.

Get Paternity Tests from the DNA Diagnostics Center

DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) processes more DNA tests than any other service worldwide. We pride ourselves on providing fast, accurate results for relationship tests, fertility tests, and other DNA testing solutions. Call now or email [email protected] today for assistance with paternity testing without the father.

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157 Comments
  1. Riley

    Hi there, I kind of suspect my older brother is not my father’s son and is a son of my mother from someone else when she was young. My father is already dead. What should I do and needed for DNA testing? Thanks

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Riley. Your brother would need to consent to any type of testing. You could do a sibling vs. half-sibling test and it would be ideal for your mother to participate too since that optimizes the chances of obtaining conclusive results. Call our experts for more info at 800-929-0847.

      Reply
  2. Michelle

    How do you find out who the absent parent is if you don’t know his or his family’s where abouts

    Reply
    • DDC

      You could hire a detective or you could take a chance and submit the child in question’s DNA to an ancestry company that allows users to share data. With any luck, some of the child’s paternal relatives would have tested too and you might be able to make some connections that way. It’s a place to start.

      Reply
  3. Monica

    Hi my name is Monica im in need of a paternity test to verify that my real dad is my dad he s not on the birth certificate and I did not meet him till iwas 19 he has always excepted me him and his wife and her 3 children he helped raise until now and they are all deceased except for a step daughter he helped raise now wants me to ” prove” he is my father. All his family is deceased or don’t want to get involved so how can I prove it in court other than pictures etc but with DNA IF there is no DNA to be tested except mine and my mother’s.?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Monica. If he is deceased and he has no living close biological relatives such as a brother, sister, or other known children, then I’m afraid there’s nothing DNA can do to help you unless the funeral home or coroner’s office has kept a blood card for him collected upon his decease.

      Reply
  4. Makayla

    Hi I am wondering if it is possible to get tested with my potential father without my mother being a part of it. I am 17 years old and for the past couple years I’ve had suspicions that my father isn’t who my mother claims to be and is instead her ex before him. I reached out to him and he’s completey on board with getting tested so how would I go about getting that done?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Makayla. Because you are a minor child, your mother’s permission is required for you to participate in any type of DNA test. If you do not want to involve your mother, you’ll need to wait till you’re 18. At that time, give DDC a call!

      Reply
  5. Henry

    I have a half brother. What relatives can be tested to find out, if my dad, is his dad. Can first cousin be tested? On the father side? Thank you.

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Henry. Because this involves a half brother, and you didn’t specify whether or not you have the same mother, I suggest you or he contact our experts directly to see what testing options might work best: 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
    • Layla

      Hi yes I just had a baby last year and I know who the father is and he did court ordered genetic paternity testing but the results came back negative. I know he is the father can I still continue to talk to his family about testing for a match?

      Reply
      • DDC

        Hi, Layla. Since the possible father did a court-ordered test, DNA collection was witnessed and you can trust the result. If the same DNA were submitted for testing again, the result would still be 0% probability of paternity.

        Reply
  6. Kayla

    Hi I’m wondering how I could find out for sure who my father is, he is now deceased and his living relatives cremated him so it’s not possible to test him, I have found his daughter, mother and sister, but they live in Nevada and I live in California. How would I go about this? Do I send them a test and test my self as well? Where do I get the test and how do I get them one?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Kayla. We can take care of setting up the best test for your situation and sending out DNA-collection materials to all tested parties, so it’s really quite simple. Just give us a call at 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
  7. Latisha

    Hi, I wanted to if you could help me. I am 45 and I have a 8 year old daughter. I really want to find her biological father. It was a one night stand. I don’t know where he lives. Can, I test me and her with the test kit? I don’t know any of his family. I just want my daughter to know her other side. Please, help me. Thank you!

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Latisha. Testing yourself with your daughter wouldn’t be helpful for what you’re looking for. You may want to consider having her test with an ancestry company where tested parties share their DNA data publicly to try to find long-lost relatives. If someone from her bio father’s side also tested, you may be able to find connections that way.

      Reply
  8. taneshia

    Hey, i have a first cousin but we got word that he may also be my brother is there anyway him and I could do a test without my father to find out the truth .

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Taneshia. Yes, we can do a sibling test. Contact us directly at 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

      Reply
  9. Yours truly

    Is it possible to get a dna done being pregnant

    Reply
      • Anonymous

        Is there a way to find out if siblings have the same father without the father DNA?

        Reply
        • DDC

          Hi, there. Yes, but the chances of obtaining conclusive results are greatly increased if the mother is also willing to contribute her DNA to the test.

          Reply
  10. Kimberly W.

    My son and I completed a DNA test with the man I thought was his father, the results can back that he is not. Can I use the results I received to upload to GEDmatch to see who his father might be?

    Reply
    • DDC

      Hi, Kimberly. I cannot speak for other laboratories, but our reports cannot be used in this way.

      Reply

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