Exploring Different Types of Paternity Tests: A Guide

Paternity testing can be helpful in numerous situations, from establishing legal rights to uncovering family history. If you’re considering a paternity test, you have to know the different types available and how they can benefit you. At thatDNAcompany®, we’re dedicated to reliable and affordable DNA testing. 

As a leading UK paternity test provider, we offer a range of tests and other relationship analyses. We’ll explain our distinct types of paternity tests, outlining their uses and helping you decide which option suits you best.

What is a Paternity Test?

A paternity test determines whether a man is the biological father of a child. It works because every person inherits half their DNA from their mother and half from their father. During the test, experts compare specific DNA markers of the child and the alleged father. A substantial match indicates a biological relationship with extremely high probability.

Benefits of Paternity Testing

Paternity tests have many benefits. Here’s a closer look at a few key benefits.

A paternity test can legally establish a father’s responsibility to provide financial support for his child, ensuring the child’s well-being. Test results can help determine custody arrangements or solidify a father’s right to visitation with his child, fostering a strong parent-child bond.

Moreover, a paternity test clarifies inheritance rights. If a father passes away, his biological children can rightfully receive any inheritance they may be entitled to.

Paternity tests are necessary in many immigration applications. They provide irrefutable evidence of biological relationships, helping families reunite or secure citizenship.

Knowing your child’s complete family medical history, including the paternal side, is invaluable. It can help identify potential health risks the child may have inherited, allowing for early detection and proactive management of medical conditions.

Types of Paternity Tests at thatDNAcompany®

Father and Child Only Paternity Test

This is the standard paternity test used to determine the biological relationship between a single child and one alleged father. Ideal for personal knowledge, commonly known as a peace of mind test. The father and child-only paternity test is the simplest option for establishing paternity.

Two Children and One Father Paternity Test

This testing option is used when there is a need to confirm paternity between two children and the same alleged father. Full siblings commonly undergo testing together to clarify family history. The two children and one father paternity test is also useful in answering questions about paternity for two children within the same family.

Three Children and One Father Paternity Test

Similar to the previous test, this option includes an additional child. It’s often used for personal confirmation of paternity within larger families (three full siblings). In complex situations, you can also use the three children and one father paternity test to expand previous testing results to include a third child.

One Child and Two Father Paternity Test

This test specialises in situations where there is uncertainty about the biological father of a single child, with two potential candidates. The one-child and two-father paternity test gives clarity in cases of contested paternity to establish which of the two possible father’s is the true biological father.

If you require any of these Paternity Test’s for a legal purpose, such as Immigration or Birth Certificate changes, please get in touch with us before ordering as we will need to arrange a legally admissible DNA test through our sister service, dadcheck®.

Why Choose thatDNAcompany® for Your Paternity Test?

Accuracy and Reliability

When the stakes are high, accuracy is paramount. Our tests offer an exceptional level of precision at 100% accuracy based upon the samples which we receive. When we have all three of the mother, alleged father and child participate, the certainly will generally exceed 99.999% when confirming a biological relationship or 100% certainty when an alleged father is excluded as the biological father. This means you can trust the results to make decisions about your family.

Fast Turnaround Times

Nobody wants to be left waiting anxiously for answers and we understand how stressful this time can be. We prioritise timely results, providing a Test Report within one to two working days from receipt of all fully consented samples. 

Convenience

The testing process is simple and hassle-free. With our home testing kits, you can collect DNA samples using painless cheek swabs from the comfort of your own home. This eliminates the need for inconvenient clinic visits or complex procedures.

Exceptional Customer Support

Paternity testing can be an emotionally charged experience.  We’ll assist you throughout the entire process. We’re ready to answer your questions, explain the procedures, and help you interpret the results, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. We have received many online reviews from previous customers which you are welcome to read on the online review platform, Trustpilot.

Legal Testing

If you require paternity test results for court proceedings, immigration, or other official matters, we’re your best choice. Through our sister service dadcheck®, we offer legal paternity testing that meets the strict chain-of-custody and documentation requirements of legal cases.

The Process from Start to Finish

Scheduling Your Test

Browse the types of paternity tests available and select the option that best suits your situation (e.g., one child & one alleged father, two children & one alleged father, etc.). Consider whether this is for personal knowledge or if you’ll need legally admissible results. The scheduling process is easy and you can complete it online.  You can also call our helpful, experienced advisors who are happy to answer any questions or take the order by telephone. 

The Collection Process

We will send a discreet home collection kit to your address, if it is more convenient, we can sent a separate kit to a different address for a small additional fee. The sampling kit will include everything you need for sample collection. The kit includes painless cheek swabs for collecting DNA samples. The instructions are simple to follow, and the process is quick and non-invasive.

Ensure you understand the legal requirements for consent in your area and you can also find information regarding consent in our FAQ’s. All individuals providing DNA samples must give informed consent, or a legal guardian must provide it on their behalf if the child is under 16 years old.

Getting Your Results

Securely package your samples using the provided return envelope and send them back via standard post. Our laboratory will analyse your samples, ensuring 100% accuracy and reliability with a typical turnaround time of just a few working days. You’ll receive your paternity test results with over 99.999% certainty for confirmed relationships.

Test results are uploaded to our secure site with the ordering party having access to these.  You can request an additional postal copy of the results for a small fee.  We do recommend you save a copy of the results as we are unable to retrieve these after 12 months of reporting.

Discover Your Options With Paternity Testing

Understanding the different types of paternity tests helps you make choices about your family. With the convenience of at-home cheek swabs you can be confident in the accuracy of the results based upon the samples which we receive, exceeding 99.999% for confirmed relationships.

Other than paternity testing, we also offer a sibling DNA test, grandparent test, and aunt/uncle DNA testing.

We’ve guided you through the process of choosing the right test and understanding your results. Now, you have the knowledge you need to navigate important matters with clarity.

Don’t let uncertainty linger. If you want definitive answers about your family, thatDNAcompany® testing service is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How accurate are paternity tests from That DNA Company?

Our paternity tests deliver exceptionally high accuracy, exceeding 99.999% for positive relationship confirmations. We use cutting-edge technology and rigorous laboratory procedures to ensure you receive reliable results.

Do I need a legal paternity test, or is an at-home kit enough?

This depends on your purpose. For personal knowledge commonly known as ‘peace of mind’ tests, an at-home kit is sufficient. If you require results for court, immigration, or other official matters, a legal paternity test is necessary. It involves a strict chain of custody to guarantee the samples’ integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings.

How long does it take to get my results?

We understand the urgency of paternity test results. Our standard turnaround time is within two working days of receiving your consented samples at the lab. We also offer express options if you need results even faster.