The 8 Best Paternity Tests
Updated by · How we research
Eight mail-in paternity tests compared on lab accreditation, fees and speed. The Genetrace DNA Paternity Test leads, and we explain when a legal test is needed. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A home paternity test gives a private answer, but the result can't be used in court, for child support or on a birth certificate, because nobody watched the swabbing. That makes these kits right for peace of mind and wrong for a legal fight. This page is for parents and possible fathers who want a reliable answer without a clinic visit.
At a Glance
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1
Genetrace DNA Paternity Test
$55
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2
PaternityLab DNA Paternity Test Kit
$68
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3
My Forever DNA Paternity Kit
$110
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4
DNA Direct Paternity Test Kit
$73
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5
HomePaternity DNA Paternity Test
$55
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6
AffinityDNA Paternity Test Kit
$78
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7
Genovate DNA Paternity Test
$99
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8
PaternityLab DNA Prenatal Paternity Test
$675
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Genetrace DNA Paternity Test now leads this list. It costs as little as any kit we'd trust, the price covers the lab fee and the return envelope, and the company runs its own accredited lab. The PaternityLab DNA Paternity Test Kit, its prenatal sibling and the AffinityDNA Paternity Test Kit are new here.
The STK, Alpha Heelix, Identigene and Rapid DNA kits have left the list because none of them can be bought now. We also dropped Paternity Depot, which now gives almost no detail about its lab, and Alpha BioLabs, whose low kit price leaves out a lab fee you pay separately.
No lab has compared these kits side by side, so we weighed what each company states about its lab and accreditation, whether the price really covers testing and postage, and how buyers' experiences hold up over thousands of orders. One thing hasn't changed: none of these results count in court.
December 10, 2020:
When dealing with matters as sensitive as paternity, you’ll want to know you’re using a testing kit that will provide valid results. For this reason, all the kits included on our list have a high degree of accuracy. The My Forever DNA checks 24 loci, or markers, and requires all final reports to be verified by their experienced chief-of-staff, leading to their 99.99 percent accuracy. They will also redo the test for free, should you fail to provide enough genetic material on the swabs. Similarly, the Alpha BioLabs Kit provides results you can trust, by looking at a whopping 35 markers. It also includes detailed instructions for a straightforward collection process.
Results of any type of test tend to be more accurate when double-checked, and a couple of the companies on our list do just that. Genovate Analysis puts each sample through two rounds of testing, minimizing the chance of human error, and contributing to a higher degree of accuracy. The Rapid DNA Collection takes their second-check process a step further by using separate teams of technicians for each test, almost mimicking their own small-scale peer review.
Generally, seeking answers to questions of paternity is a nerve-racking experience and you’ll want results as soon as possible. Though several kits state results are available in two business days, it’s important to remember that the clock doesn’t start until samples reach the lab. It can be helpful to account for the time it takes to ship, collect samples, repackage, and make its way back to the lab. That being said, if timing is really of the essence, the Alpha Heelix Express is a great choice for you. This company not only promises a finalized report in two business days, it also provides overnight return shipping, so your samples won’t be floating in transit for days or weeks.
Usually, the most reputable testing kits include lab fees in the initial purchase, so buyers won’t have to pay additional fees down the road. For this reason, most of the options on our list are all-inclusive; however, the Identigene Collection Pack is not. The super-low list price can be misleading, but we thought this particular kit deserved a spot on our list since it’s specifically intended for residents of New York State. With unique laws regarding paternity testing, New York state may not legally recognize many at-home kits. However, the Identigene company specifically says their kit is made for use in NY state and, in fact, it is not valid in any of the other 49.
If money is tight, it’s easy to lean toward an at-home testing kit, versus seeing your doctor or going to a lab. However, it’s worth noting that many of these kits are not admissible in court. So if you’re in a legal dispute, or feel you will be in the near future, make sure to research which options are legally admissible. Otherwise, you may end up spending more for an additional test. That being said, if you’re looking for the most affordable choice on our list, the Paternity Depot Pack is it. Their turn-around time is about a week, which is longer than some other options on our list, but waiting a few more days for results may be worth the financial savings. Additionally, the slightly pricier DNA Direct Solutions and HomePaternity Complete, both of which return results in as little as two business days, are also economical choices.
July 10, 2019:
One of the biggest factors we considered when making these rankings was whether lab fees were included or not. We felt that including the fees is a sign of a trustworthy company, as many others try to lure you in with a cheap initial investment, only to nickel-and-dime you with fees once they have you on the hook. The selections at the very top of the list all boast inclusive pricing.
Some companies — like the manufacturers of the HomePaternity Complete — take pains to keep you in the loop, which is always appreciated. They'll alert you when your samples have been received, as well as when testing is complete. This saves you from needlessly sitting by the phone or waiting by the mailbox for days on end.
Regardless of which kit you pick, however, it's important to use a dedicated paternity test rather than a generic ancestry kit. While the latter are a lot of fun and can be informative, they're not foolproof when it comes to establishing paternity — and this is one situation where being 100% certain is absolutely essential.
Special Honors
Labcorp DNA When a result has to stand up in court, Labcorp's legal paternity test uses witnessed collection at its own patient service centers and an accredited lab. It also sells a home kit, but its legal option is the reason to know the name. dna.labcorp.com
Home Test Or Legal Test: Decide First
A home result can't be upgraded later, because the collection is what makes a test legal.
Every kit on this list is a peace-of-mind test. You swab at home, nobody checks IDs or watches the collection, and so the result can't be used for child support, custody, a birth certificate or immigration. Labcorp says its own at-home tests are not court-admissible, even though they run on the same lab equipment as its legal tests.
A legal test uses a chain of custody: photo ID, a neutral collector at an approved site, sealed samples and a lab accredited for relationship testing. It costs several times as much as a home kit (Know Your DNA). A home result can't be upgraded later, because the collection is what makes a test legal. If there is any chance the answer will end up in front of a judge or a government office, buy the legal test first and skip the home kit.
The U.S. standard for paternity labs is accreditation by the AABB, which keeps a list of accredited relationship-testing labs. A seller saying its lab is "AABB compliant" is not the same as being on that list, so check the lab's name before you rely on the claim.
What Makes A Result Worth Trusting
Accuracy depends on the lab and the samples, not the brand on the box. Many home kits are sold under several names by a handful of labs. A good lab compares 20 or more genetic markers, runs each sample twice, and reports either a probability of paternity of 99.9 percent or higher, or an exclusion. Labcorp puts its average rate for ruling out a man who isn't the father at 99.99 percent.
Labs do make mistakes. NBC New York reported on a lawsuit blaming a wrong home result from DNA Diagnostics Center, the lab behind HomePaternity; the claims are allegations, not court findings. CBC News reported that a Canadian lab kept selling prenatal tests it knew could give wrong answers. If a result will drive a big decision about a pregnancy, custody or money, confirm it with a legal test from an accredited lab.
Also check what the price includes. Most kits here cover the lab fee and the return postage, but some low-priced kits charge a lab fee after you buy, and the total ends up higher than a kit that includes it.
Prenatal Tests, Swabbing Tips And The Rules
A prenatal paternity test can answer the question during pregnancy without any risk to the baby. It uses the mother's blood, drawn by a clinician from about the seventh week, plus the possible father's cheek swab. It costs many times more than a home swab kit, and older tests that used a needle into the womb carry real risks, so don't confuse the two.
Most failed tests come down to the swabbing. Don't eat, drink, smoke or brush teeth for 30 to 60 minutes before collecting, rub the swab firmly inside the cheek, and don't touch the tip. Let swabs dry, seal each one in the right labeled envelope, and mail them promptly. A bad sample usually means a second round of swabbing, not a refund.
The rules matter too. Several makers, including HomePaternity, won't process home kits from New York, and secretly testing another adult's sample is illegal in many places. A minor child's sample is normally given with the consent of a parent or guardian. Results sit in an online account, so ask the company whether it destroys samples after testing.
How we researched this
We compared 17 paternity test kits, read each company's statements on its lab, accreditation, markers and fees, checked legal-test rules from Labcorp and the AABB, analyzed patterns in owner feedback, searched news reports for lab errors, and checked every brand against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database. No independent lab has compared these kits head to head.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are home paternity tests?
With good samples, an accredited lab reports a probability of 99.9 percent or higher when the man is the father, and rules out a man who isn't with near certainty. Most errors come from bad swabbing or mixed-up envelopes.
Can I use a home paternity test in court?
No. Courts, child support agencies and birth certificate offices need a legal chain-of-custody test with ID checks and a neutral collector. A home result can't be upgraded later.
How long do paternity test results take?
Most labs post results one to two business days after the samples arrive, but mailing adds several days, and a week by regular mail. Prenatal tests take about a week after the lab gets both samples.
Does the mother need to be tested?
No. A father and child are enough. Adding the mother's sample is optional and can make a borderline result clearer, and only some kits include swabs for her.
Are ancestry kits like 23andMe or AncestryDNA paternity tests?
No. They're built for ancestry and traits. They may flag a close relative if both people test, but they don't produce a lab paternity report, and the result has no legal standing.
Can I buy a home paternity test in New York?
Often not. Several labs won't process home kits from New York because of state rules, so New York residents usually need to arrange a test through an approved collection site.
