Legal paternity tests are used to conclusively determine whether a man is the father of a child. These tests are usually used to prove paternity in court. Once a legal paternity test proves that a man has fathered a child, he may be held financially responsible for a portion of the child’s care.

Legal paternity tests differ from other types of paternity tests. Unlike at-home tests, legal paternity tests must be performed in an approved laboratory or clinic. All samples must be carefully collected by a professional. The most common way to collect DNA is to swab the inside of a person’s mouth. However, samples can also be taken by collecting hair or blood.

When performing a paternity test, most laboratories will collect DNA samples from the mother, child, and alleged father. Collecting samples from all three parties will increase the accuracy of the test. Most labs produce results that are 99.9% to 99.999% accurate. Legal paternity tests very rarely produce incorrect results.

In order to be used as evidence in court, legal paternity tests must be performed by an accredited laboratory. Accredited laboratories follow strict guidelines when performing these tests. These laboratories are regularly inspected and have proven themselves to be trustworthy and accurate. For an accreditation to be recognized, a laboratory must have received its accreditation from an approved organization, like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), or the Laboratory Accreditation Bureau (L-A-B).

When obtaining a legal paternity test, the test results will be notarized to prove accuracy and authenticity. Without notarization, these tests will not be admissible in court. In most cases, these tests can be performed in as little as three days. Once a person has their notarized results, they can be used as indisputable evidence of a child’s paternity.