A paternity test uses deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis to determine the biological relationship between a potential father and a child. The process involves comparing genetic markers from both individuals to establish the likelihood of paternity. Because several different methods are available for sample collection and analysis, the total time required for results can range significantly. Depending on the specific test chosen, results can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Standard Postnatal Testing Timeline
The most common method for determining paternity after a child is born is the standard, non-invasive test using a buccal swab. This process, often referred to as a “peace-of-mind” test, is quick to administer and provides the fastest turnaround time. Sample collection involves gently rubbing a sterile cotton swab against the inside of the cheek to gather epithelial cells, a process that takes only a minute or two.
Once collected, the samples are shipped to the laboratory. The total time for results includes transit time, which varies based on the shipping method and distance. Upon arrival, the DNA is extracted from the cheek cells and analyzed.
The standard processing time for a buccal swab sample is typically between three and seven business days after the lab receives all samples. The lab compares the child’s genetic profile with the alleged father’s profile at specific genetic markers to generate an accurate probability of paternity.
Factors That Extend the Timeline
Several variables can add time to the standard testing period, pushing the total wait beyond the typical five to seven days.
Legal Requirements
Requiring a legally admissible result, often necessary for child support or custody cases, introduces mandatory chain-of-custody procedures. This requires scheduling appointments with certified collectors, verifying the identity of all parties, and meticulously documenting the entire collection process, which adds time before the sample reaches the lab.
Sample Quality and Type
The type and quality of the collected sample can also cause delays. While cheek swabs are standard, non-standard samples like hair, blood, or tissue often require specialized extraction and purification methods that take longer. If the initial DNA sample is degraded, contaminated, or insufficient, the laboratory must request a recollection, which can add a week or more.
Complex Relationships and Logistics
Complex biological relationships can necessitate additional testing, extending the timeline. If the alleged fathers are close relatives, such as brothers, the lab may need to employ extended testing that analyzes a greater number of genetic markers. Logistical issues like international shipping, customs delays, or high demand can also slow down the transit of samples to the lab.
Prenatal Paternity Testing Timelines
Prenatal testing determines paternity before the baby is born. The most common method is the Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) test, which can be performed as early as the seventh or eighth week of pregnancy. This test requires a blood sample from the mother, which contains trace amounts of cell-free fetal DNA, and a buccal swab from the alleged father.
The NIPP sample collection is simple, but the laboratory analysis is more involved because it must isolate and analyze the distinct fetal DNA from the maternal blood. This process often takes one to two weeks for results after the lab has received the samples. The required gestational age for collection means the overall timeline begins later in the pregnancy compared to a postnatal test.
Invasive Prenatal Tests
Invasive prenatal tests, such as Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) or Amniocentesis, have extended timelines. CVS is typically performed between 10 and 13 weeks of gestation, while Amniocentesis is done between 15 and 20 weeks. These procedures require coordination with medical facilities and carry minor risks, meaning they are rarely performed solely for paternity testing. The collected fetal cells must often be cultured before DNA analysis can occur, extending the total time from the medical procedure to the final result to several weeks.
Expediting Results and Rush Options
Most laboratories offer rush processing or express services, typically applied to the standard postnatal cheek swab test. This expedited option focuses on reducing the time the sample spends in the laboratory. For an additional fee, labs will prioritize the DNA extraction and analysis of the samples.
Rush processing can significantly reduce the lab’s turnaround time from the standard three to seven business days to as little as 24 to 48 hours after the samples arrive. This expedited option primarily speeds up the laboratory phase of the process. It does not account for the time required for sample collection, shipping, or delays caused by incomplete paperwork or poor sample quality.