DNA Testing in NYC — Frequently Asked Questions

Call the location nearest you, describe the test and participants, and schedule an appointment-based collection. We confirm what to bring and explain the next steps; mobile collection may also be available for qualifying cases.

For most relationship tests — paternity, siblingship, and grandparentage — no referral is needed; you call, get an exact quote, and book. Some situations, including certain prenatal and court-ordered cases, involve additional steps, which we'll explain when you call.

You don't need one. Modern relationship testing uses a buccal (cheek) swab — painless, non-invasive, and just as accurate as blood for DNA analysis. It's also the method preferred for official cases because it's easy to collect under documented procedures.

No — New York does not permit self-collected mail-in DNA testing. Valid tests are collected in person under documented chain of custody through a laboratory holding a NYSDOH clinical laboratory permit. If home convenience is what you need, our mobile collection service brings the valid process to you.

Collection uses a quick, painless buccal (cheek) swab. A trained collector verifies the required identification and documents the collection before the sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Yes. All locations are appointment-only, with no walk-ins, so we can prepare the correct paperwork, verify identity, document consent, and have a collector ready. Same-day or next-day appointments are often available; call to check.

Most collection appointments take about 15-30 minutes. The cheek swab itself is quick, but allow time for identification, consent, and chain-of-custody paperwork.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for each adult participant. Depending on the case, you may also need a child's birth certificate, case reference, request letter, or other documentation; we'll confirm what applies when you schedule.

It depends on the test type, the number of participants, and any coordination needs, including multi-city or immigration cases. Call your nearest location for an exact all-in quote — confirmed before you commit, with no hidden fees. For a full breakdown of what affects pricing, see our DNA test cost guide.

Be careful with advertised figures. The advertised "$99" may cover only a limited part of the process and may not include in-person collection, ID verification, chain of custody, or other requirements for a valid New York test. Call for an exact all-in quote confirmed before you commit, with no hidden fees.

No legitimate DNA testing is free — professional testing involves certified collection and laboratory analysis. Court-ordered tests in Family Court cases may be handled through the court process. Be cautious of "free test" offers; they typically hide fees or produce results that aren't valid in New York.

Court-admissible testing requires identity verification, witnessed collection, consent, sealed samples, documented chain of custody, and analysis by an AABB-accredited laboratory partner. Read more about the process on our court-admissible paternity testing page.

It's the documented trail proving whose sample was collected, by whom, and that it was never tampered with: identity verification, witnessed collection, sealed and labeled samples, and tracked transfer to the laboratory. In New York, all valid tests follow it — which is why results here can be used officially even if you originally tested for personal knowledge. Read more on our court-admissible paternity testing page.

Yes — USCIS, embassy, and consular cases are a specialty. They follow a special official process: initiated through our AABB-accredited laboratory partner, with the overseas kit routed through official channels. See the full step-by-step process on our immigration DNA testing page.

A court-admissible paternity test uses identity verification, documented chain of custody, witnessed collection, sealed samples, and laboratory analysis by an AABB-accredited laboratory partner. Our paternity testing page explains the collection process and official-use setup.

Not always. Many paternity tests are completed with just the alleged father and child; including the mother can strengthen the analysis in some cases. When you call, we'll confirm what's required for your situation.

If the alleged father cannot participate, other relationship tests may help depending on who is available. Learn about grandparentage testing, avuncular testing, and siblingship testing, or call so we can explain the appropriate setup.

For a properly collected relationship test, an inclusion is typically reported with a probability of 99.99% or higher; an exclusion is reported as 0%. The laboratory's analysis depends on the relationship and participants tested.

Many standard paternity results are available in 2-3 business days after the laboratory receives the samples. Immigration and other coordinated cases can take longer.

Many standard cases are delivered in 2-3 business days after the laboratory receives the samples. Immigration, prenatal, and other coordinated cases may take longer because they involve additional laboratory or collection steps.

In many cases, yes. Collection can often be coordinated through a nationwide network so participants test separately while the case stays properly connected.

Yes. Your information and samples are handled privately, and results are released only to authorized parties according to the requirements of the test and case.

Yes. Spanish-language assistance is available from the first call through scheduling and collection. Se habla español.