A paternity test uses DNA analysis to determine the biological relationship between a child and an alleged father by comparing specific genetic markers. The total time it takes for results to come back, known as the turnaround time, is highly variable. The general timeframe for a standard postnatal test ranges from three to seven business days after the samples arrive at the laboratory, depending on the type of test and administrative factors.
Standard Turnaround Times for Postnatal Tests
The most common form of paternity testing uses a non-invasive buccal swab collection of cheek cells from the child and the alleged father. The timeline for these tests is generally divided into three distinct phases. The initial phase involves sample submission and shipping, which usually takes one to two days, depending on the courier service used to transport the collected swabs to the testing facility.
The next and most time-intensive phase is the laboratory analysis, which generally takes between one and five business days. During this time, technicians perform DNA extraction to isolate the genetic material. This is followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which amplifies specific genetic markers for analysis. Finally, the laboratory compares these genetic markers from the child and the alleged father to determine a genetic match and calculate the probability of paternity.
The final phase is results reporting, which adds a minor amount of time depending on the delivery method. Most laboratories provide the final report electronically through a secure online portal, allowing immediate delivery upon completion of the analysis. A physical copy of the report is often mailed separately, which can take an additional few days to arrive.
Procedural Factors That Affect Processing Speed
The quoted turnaround time is usually the “lab time,” meaning the time required for analysis once the samples are in the facility. Many laboratories offer an expedited testing service, sometimes called a “rush” option, which prioritizes samples. This can reduce the analysis time from a standard five days down to as little as 24 or 48 hours, though this faster service generally comes with a substantial increase in cost.
Poor sample quality is the most frequent cause of unexpected delays in the standard testing process. If the cheek swabs do not contain enough viable DNA, the laboratory may be unable to complete the analysis. In these cases, the lab must request a recollection of the samples, which forces the process to restart and can easily double the overall waiting period.
Logistical factors, specifically shipping and documentation, also play a role in the total waiting time. The advertised turnaround time does not include the time the samples spend in transit, especially from remote locations. Furthermore, incomplete or incorrectly filled-out submission forms can cause the laboratory to pause the testing process until administrative errors are corrected, adding days to the total timeline.
Specialized Paternity Testing Timelines
Certain types of paternity tests operate on a different schedule due to scientific complexity or strict requirements for legal admissibility. The Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) test determines paternity before a baby is born and requires more time. This test relies on a maternal blood sample, typically drawn after the seventh to twelfth week of pregnancy, and a cheek swab from the alleged father.
The NIPP process is more complex because it involves isolating trace amounts of the baby’s cell-free fetal DNA from the mother’s blood plasma. Specialized sequencing technology is necessary to separate and analyze the fetal DNA profile before comparison to the alleged father’s profile. This sensitive separation process often extends the laboratory analysis time to a range of eight to ten business days or more.
Legal and Court-Admissible Tests
Legal or court-admissible paternity tests follow a more rigid timeline, though the actual DNA analysis time is similar to an informational test. The primary difference is the strict requirement for a “Chain of Custody.” This mandates that all samples be collected by a neutral third party, such as a clinic professional, and that all paperwork is witnessed and signed. This administrative necessity ensures the result is admissible in court and often requires specific scheduling and documentation, making the overall process less flexible than a home test.