How to Do a DNA Paternity Test: A Complete Guide

Do you want to know who the father of your child is? A DNA paternity test can give you those answers. Previously, it was complicated and expensive, but now you can even do it from home with a simple, non-invasive testing kit from as little as £94.

At thatDNAcompany®, we have been helping people with DNA tests since 2000. We believe everyone should be able to get these tests without breaking the bank. This guide explains exactly how to do a DNA paternity test at home using our sampling kits. We’ll take you through each step in a way that’s easy to follow, from ordering the kit to understanding the results.

What is a DNA Paternity Test?

A DNA paternity test is a simple way to find out if a man is the biological father of a child. Everyone has unique DNA, a kind of genetic code inside their body. This test compares specific markers in the child’s DNA to the potential father’s DNA. If they share enough markers, it confirms they are biologically related.

Types of DNA Paternity Tests

There are two main types of paternity tests:

At-home Tests

These are great for personal knowledge and are commonly known as peace of mind tests. They’re convenient and affordable, and you can do them privately at home. thatDNAcompany® offers these tests from as little as £94. Where we differ from other companies, is that the price advertised is all inclusive and covers the return postage of your samples to us and all processing and reporting. With other companies, you need to pay your own postage fees which is an extra expense you don’t need. It’s important to note that you can’t use the results for any legal purpose such as changing Birth Certificate details, or in court.

Legal Tests

You may need a legally admissible test, commonly known as “accredited DNA tests” for legal matters like making a change to a Birth Certificate, HM Passport Application, Visa Application, or child support or custody cases. They must follow a strict procedure to make sure the results are valid for court. Our sister company, dadcheckgold.com, provides these legally admissible tests. They also offer tests for immigration cases that require DNA evidence.

How to do a DNA Paternity Test at Home

1. Order Your DNA Paternity Test Kit

Place your order online or by phone. Our experienced customer service advisors are available to answer any questions you might have.

2. Receive Your DNA Test Kit

We’ll send your kit quickly by Royal Mail Tracked 24 post. You’ll receive a discreet package containing all the items needed to take your samples. These include:

• Instruction Leaflet with a step-by-step guide
• 1 mouth swab per donor
• 1 consent form per donor
• Pre-paid return envelope by Tracked 24 delivery

Read the instructions carefully before you start. If you need a kit sent to a second address, you can request this for a small fee.

3. Collect DNA Samples

The kit contains simple mouth swabs for collecting DNA samples from the alleged father, child, and mother (if she’s participating). While the mother’s participation isn’t always required, we strongly recommend she takes part for the most conclusive results.

Follow these steps for collecting DNA samples:

• Please wash your hands before sampling and avoid eating, drinking or smoking for an hour before collecting samples. This prevents contamination.
• Fill out the consent form with the correct information for each person. Do this before collecting the samples.
• Each swab is labelled with the donor’s name and possible relationship (e.g. alleged father, mother, child). Sample each donor in turn to avoid any accidental mix-ups.
• Match the labelled swab to the donor and remove the first swab from the tube with a slight twist and pull.
• Without touching the shaft or cotton tip with your fingers, gently rub the swab round the inside of each cheek ten (10) times with enough pressure to make the cheek bulge slightly. 
• Carefully return the swab back into its container and close. 
• The next donor is now ready to be sampled.

4. Return Your Samples

Return your samples to our laboratory using the provided pre-paid tamper-proof envelope by Tracked 24 Royal Mail delivery. We recommend you take the envelope to the Post Office and obtain a receipt as this will include your tracking number. You can also arrange a free home collection by Royal Mail by scanning the QR code on the return envelope. Our highly skilled scientists will analyse your samples using state-of-the-art DNA technology in our laboratory.

5. Receive Your Results

The day we receive your properly consented samples is considered Day 0. Your results will be available within 2 working days for our standard service or the next working day for our express service. Results are usually available after 4 pm.

6. Access Your Results

We will upload your results as a PDF file to our secure website. You can access this using the login details you created when ordering. You can also choose to have a hard copy of the report posted to you for a small fee. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid During DNA Sample Collection

Even with a simple process, mistakes can happen. These mistakes can cause inaccurate results or delays. Let’s look at how to avoid them.

Contamination means something gets mixed in with the DNA sample. This can happen if you touch the cotton end of the swab with your fingers or another surface, such as a table.. Always hold the swabs by the blue cap. Make sure the swabs don’t touch anything else, like your hands or the table.

Sometimes, there’s not enough DNA on the swab. This happens if you don’t rub the swab firmly enough or for long enough. Rub the swab for 20 seconds on each side of your mouth. This should collect enough cheek cells.

Complete the form accurately. Incorrect or missing information can cause delays. Double-check all the details and spellings. This includes names, dates of birth, and other information.

We strongly recommend that all donors are together at the same time for sampling and you take the sealed return envelope to the post office together. This way, everyone knows the right people have taken part. 

We can only base the results upon the samples received so it’s important you, as the donors ensure the right people participate. 

How to Ensure Accurate DNA Paternity Test Results

Follow the Instructions Carefully

The instructions included in your kit provide a detailed guide for each step of the process. Read them thoroughly before you start, and refer to them throughout the process. Pay close attention to the instructions to minimise the risk of errors and ensure you collect the DNA samples correctly.

Avoid Eating or Drinking Before the Test

As mentioned earlier, it’s essential to avoid eating, drinking or smoking for at least an hour before you collect the DNA samples. Food and drinks can contaminate the samples, potentially affecting the accuracy of the results. This includes things like chewing gum, sweets, and even flavoured water.

Handle the Swabs Carefully

Handle the swabs with care throughout the process. Avoid touching the cotton tip of the swabs or the wooden shaft, as this can introduce contamination. Always hold the swabs by the blue cap on the stick end, and be careful not to let them touch any surfaces.

Order Your At-Home DNA Paternity Test

That’s it! You’ve now learned how to do a DNA paternity test with thatDNAcompany®. It’s easy, right?

You order the kit, collect some cheek swabs, and send everything back to us. We do the rest and you get quick and reliable results without any fuss.

If you have any questions, just give us a call. We’re always happy to help.