Sometimes establishing paternity is not as easy as it sounds. If the possible father is simply not available for testing, a grandparent DNA test can be performed by a DNA testing lab with experience in this type of analysis. The test shows whether or not a child is related to the grandparents—on the possible father’s parents’ side—and thereby helps to establish the identity of the child’s biological father. This same test can help determine maternity too, if needed.
Reasons to Take a Grandparent DNA Test
Many grandparents initiate this test because they are concerned that they might not be the actual biological grandparents of child/children! They are concerned, and simply want to know the truth. Being a grandparent requires emotional and financial support for many years, and if there is a question about the paternity of a grandchild, the grandparents want to know for sure. Aside from peace of mind, there may also be legal reasons for wanting to confirm a biological relationship.
Reasons to confirm paternity include:
- Health concerns
- Death of potential father
- Custody issues
- Heritage and inheritance concerns
- Questionable paternity of child
- Peace of mind
How It Works
Unlike a straight paternity test, this type of analysis is a bit more like putting together a DNA puzzle: when more participants contribute their DNA, the more pieces to the puzzle can be assembled to form a complete picture.
Who needs to provide DNA for a grandparent DNA test:
- One or both parents of the possible father
- The child
- The mother of the child, if possible
The test is most accurate when there are two grandparents to test—both of the possible father’s parents. In the absence of one grandparent, the test can still be administered. However, it’s important to know the results may not be as conclusive as they need to be to establish paternity and/or maternity. If at all possible, the child’s mother should also participate to help strengthen the chances of obtaining conclusive results.
DNA is collected easily and quickly with simple, painless cheek swabs.
IMPORTANT:
- If you need results for legal reasons (inheritance or immigration, for example), at-home testing is not an option. For court-admissible results, you must call the lab ahead of time to arrange for a legal, witnessed test
- If you do not have legal authority to act on behalf of a minor child, the burden is on you to obtain all necessary consents before submitting the minor child’s DNA for testing
The Test Can Help to Protect Grandparent Rights
As a paternal grandparent, you really don’t know whether your grandkids are truly yours. Although you love and cherish each child, nothing can replace the reassurance you get from knowing for sure if those children are biologically related to yout. Fortunately, you now have the option to request a grandparent DNA test to learn the facts.
There may be some reasons why the child’s mother refuses to allow a grandparent DNA test. In these cases, you may be able to petition the courts for the test to be administered.
Final Thoughts about a Grandparent DNA Test
Grandchildren are one of life’s greatest joys, but if you have any doubts about a biological relationship, it’s wise to ask some questions now in order to prevent a possible broken heart down the road. Contact us to make arrangements for a grandparent DNA test today. A kind, experienced representative from DDC will be happy to explain the details with a simple and completely confidential phone call.
I’m the paternal grandmother and test results came back at 2.6% so does that mean were not related?
That is considered an exclusion, yes, so you are most likely not related.
Hi, completed a DNA on myself and my potential grandson because my son and husband are no longer here. The results came back as 79.2% ( is this considered conclusive or inconclusive) please help.
Hi, Angelina. That is an inconclusive result. To help strengthen results, it’s important to add the mother to testing if she is willing.
Mother,Grandfather and child tested. Results are 99.8.
Are these 100% positive results that the Grandfather is related
Hi, Veronica. Yes, that is a very conclusive inclusion result for a grandparent test.
Father is deceased. Mother is unwilling to be tested. I am paternal grandmother. I have legal custody. How accurate would this test be with just my DNA and grandsons?
Hi, Crystal. Whether or not you obtain a conclusive result depends on the DNA data. In many cases, we can obtain conclusive results for a grandparent test with just the child and grandparent but in other cases, we need to include the mother’s DNA.
My son was told he fathered a child. The child is in the legal custody of his maternal grandparents. The grandmother was willing and eager to allow the child to be DNA tested through the Ancestry.com site and by comparing my dna to his we were matched as grandson and grandmother. She neglected to tell me that her husband was not on board as far as allowing the child to be told or even know of his father or our family so cut all contact off with me. Can I go to court to ask for visitation with my grandson and would they ask her to submit to another DNA test that is accepted by the courts since the d a tests done on ancestry com are not?
Hi, Kimberly. That is a question for a family-law attorney in your area. Good luck!
Do an dna with my grandmother the results shows CRI 0.05 and probability of grandmother to child is 4.40% what means I don’t understand
Hi, Felicia. Those number show an exclusion. In other words, you and your grandmother don’t share enough DNA to be considered biological relatives.
Hi I took a grandparent DNA test. Only myself and the child was tested. The results were 78.2% is the child my grandson.
Hi, Talonda. That percentage is considered an inconclusive result, so it’s neither yes nor no. If possible, please include more participants in testing…especially the mother of the child.
My Gbaby is 52.3%
With a 1.1189 CRI
WHAT does that mean
Hi, Linda. That is an inconclusive result. Did you include the mother of the child in testing? That can really help to obtain more conclusive results.
No it was just me and the child
I suggest you include the mother if she is willing. Sometimes conclusive results can be obtained with just one grandparent and a child, but not always. It all depends on the genes you happen to share in common. Adding another grandparent and/or the child’s mother will yield a conclusive result.
My results(I am the child) for the grandparent test came back with the CPI of 0.00003155 and a probability of relation 0.003% it also says the likely hood of her being a biological relative is 31,698 to 1. And also states the prior probability would have been 0.50. Please explain. Im thinking about taking one with the man who is supposedly my father but he is incarcerated.
Hi, Kali. That result is considered an exclusion (you do not share a grandparent/grandchild relationship).
My sons father is deceased. A paternity test was done between my son and the grandmother. It came back 13.6%, which was an inconclusive result. There are NO other possible fathers, so what do you recommend to solve this issue. Oh, and only the grandmother and child were tested.
Hi, JJ. You can test again and include your DNA in the test.
question I need to find out if my grandson is biologically my son kid either the the mother of the child or my son will establish paternity and i need it for custody reasons of my grandson so I was wondering if there is a way to establish paternity with just me grandmother and baby my grandson?
Hi, Paula. If the mother and your son don’t agree to DNA testing, you’ll need to consult with a family-law attorney to see what your options are for doing a grandparent test. We cannot perform testing on a minor child without the consent of a legal parent.
My father passed away. The alleged grandfather passed away also. Can I test a half brother to my dad to see if I’m related to them?
Hi, Michelle. For this type of testing, a half-uncle is most likely not a viable testing partner to obtain conclusive results. I suggest you contact our experts directly so they can talk you through all your options: 800-929-0847 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).
I am the grandmother, supposedly my son is the baby’s father….can I do DNA test with the baby WITHOUT telling my son or the baby’s mother?
Hi, Bernadette. When DNA-testing a minor child, a legal parent’s consent is required.
Hello my niece and my mom are being tested but the mother refuses to test because my brother wont say wether my nieces is his or not. What are the chances of my mom and my niece being related? Like what percentage can that give?
Hi, Carmen. For a grandparentage test, any percentage of 90% or higher is considered an inclusion.
Will the percentage still be that high if the mother isnt tested?
That really depends on the genetic information for that individual test, but it’s always best if the mother can test too. The chances of obtaining conclusive results are much higher.
I suspect that my paternal and maternal grandparents are one in the same. I think my mother’s brother, my uncle, is my father. They both have always been sexual deviants. He has always wanted to be weirdly close to me. And a few days ago we were talking about his moles. He said when I get his age I will get them too, because I’m his. He said he meant because I’m his niece. My other 2 uncles have admitted he had sex with their half sister. Thank God I don’t have kids if this is true. Can a DNA test confirm my suspicions?
Hi, Nick. Because of the possibility of incest in this scenario, I suggest you contact our experts directly and consult on what the possibilities for testing might be. If you are in the United States, call 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern). If not, you can start the conversation by emailing [email protected].