Frequently Asked Questions About Paternity Tests
Can I ask questions while my order is being processed?
You can ask questions at any time: before and after placing your order, and at any stage of the testing process!
Order a test
Hotline
+48 511 218 076
Call us and ask any questions you may have about paternity testing.
Contact FormOrder
Within one business day, one of our representatives will contact you to confirm the details for shipping the kit and to make sure you’ve purchased the test you need. If you wish, please indicate in the “comments” field which form of contact you prefer—by phone or email. If for any reason you do not want us to email or call you, please also indicate this in the “comments” field.
You’ll definitely be able to perform the test on your own. It involves collecting a saliva sample from the inside of the cheek and is completely painless. Immediately after collection, place the saliva in the provided envelope and seal it. If you are unable to collect a saliva sample from the father or child, you can send a hair sample or an object containing DNA for testing. In that case, please use the microsample paternity test (link)
A private paternity test is not admissible in court. For the test to be admissible in court, it must be conducted in the presence of both parents, and the DNA sample must be collected at a laboratory. We have partner laboratories in major cities throughout Poland where the test can be performed. You can also have the sample collected at our laboratory in downtown Poznań. If you are interested in such a test, please contact us to receive information about a partner facility!
Yes, we are available on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We will answer any questions via email (medicogen@medicogen.com) or by phone at 61 851 02 11
Samples that have been properly secured according to the instructions can be kept at home for a few days. There is no need to send them immediately. They do not need to be refrigerated. A longer shipping time will not adversely affect the results either. However, please keep the secured samples in a dry, cool place!
Paternity test
No, there are no contraindications for the test, such as medical conditions, health status, age, medications, diet, or other factors. These factors do not affect your genetic code. The test is non-invasive and involves collecting a small sample of saliva from the inside of your cheek.
IMPORTANT!
If the person from whom the genetic sample was collected has recently undergone a bone marrow transplant, the result may be inaccurate. In such a case, please contact the laboratory staff to determine the best method for performing a paternity DNA test.
A DNA test is 100% effective in ruling out paternity. However, establishing paternity is only possible with a certain degree of probability. This is because there is a very small chance (in the range of a fraction of a percent) that a person unrelated to the child being tested will have the same genetic markers as his biological father. If the probability of confirming paternity is lower than near certainty, the laboratory may expand the analysis to include more DNA markers. In that case, we will contact you.
A private paternity test can be performed without the mother’s presence by comparing the genetic material of the child and the potential father. Samples for the test can be collected at home, at a laboratory, or at a partner facility. The results of a private paternity test cannot be used as evidence in court, such as in a paternity case.Test for legal purposes – sample collection must take place at the laboratory or a partner facility to verify the identities of the individuals being tested. Samples for such a test are collected in the presence of all parties, namely the mother, the child, and the alleged father. DNA tests are performed by forensic genetics experts employed at our laboratory. The results of a test for legal purposes may be used as evidence in court. To facilitate the testing process, please contact us before placing an order to provide your personal information and to identify a partner facility located in a convenient location for you.
GenMed Laboratory also performs kinship tests at the request of courts. To date, we have performed over 3,000 such tests, and the results have never been challenged.
A basic paternity test for private purposes can be performed using biological samples from two individuals. Our geneticists can easily perform paternity tests using only DNA samples from the alleged father and the child. Samples can be easily collected at home and then sent to the laboratory. However, please note that the results of a test for private purposes cannot be used as reliable evidence in court.For a paternity test for legal purposes, the presence of three individuals is recommended: the father, the mother, and the child. The mother’s presence during the test increases the likelihood of confirming paternity, as three samples of biological material make it more likely to confirm paternity. Biological samples required for a test for legal purposes must be collected at the laboratory or one of its partner facilities, in the presence of a court-appointed expert or an authorized person, as well as all parties to the legal proceedings. To request a test for legal purposes, please contact the laboratory; we will be able to arrange a convenient date and location for sample collection. GenMed Laboratory also performs paternity tests without the father’s participation. In such cases, the presence of the paternal grandparents is required.
In general, technology exists that allows for paternity testing during pregnancy; however, our laboratory does not perform such tests due to the risks associated with the procedure for collecting DNA samples from the fetus.
This test can be performed, but some sampling methods may not be suitable for bone marrow transplant recipients. Please contact us to determine the most appropriate method.
