Legal Paternal Lineage DNA Test

Paternal lineage (Y-STR) DNA Testing

Paternal lineage (Y-STR) DNA Testing

Accurate proof of your paternal lineage

Wanting to confirm a relationship with a possible male relative? The Y-STR Paternal Lineage DNA Test can show if there is a relation between two males.

The Paternal Lineage test only works on biological males. Due to the Y chromosome being hereditary and passed down from father to son relatively unchanged over time (females do not have a Y chromosome). This test is limiting in that it cannot pinpoint the exact relationship between the two males that are known to share a common paternal ancestor. It only determines whether two males share the same paternal Y-STR marker. However, the test is helpful in excluding certain males from an alleged biological relationship.

If you are trying to prove the specific paternal relationship of an alleged father and son, please see our Legal Paternity DNA Testing page.

A Legal DNA Test is most often needed when dealing with matter of the court, such as a court order or in the cases of child custody. The legal DNA testing is a very different process compared to home paternity testing. Legal DNA testing follows a strict chain of custody and sample collection procedure, as well as different shipping and handling methods than non-legal testing.  

Legal Paternal Lineage DNA tests require that everyone involved have their DNA collected by an impartial third party. This can be done at home or at facilities such as a medical office, health clinic, a hospital. Legal DNA test samples can be collected by anyone who does not have a vested interest in the outcome of the tests.

Child Support, Adoption, Child Custody, Court Orders, adding a name to a Birth Certificate are common reasons for a Legal DNA tests.

*Immigration DNA Testing is a separate process than both Home and Legal DNA, both in approach and sample collection. For more information on Immigration DNA Testing see our US Immigration DNA Testing Page.

 In the Las Cruces, NM/El Paso, TX area?
Schedule an appointment at our El Paso laboratory near N. Mesa and Restler


Steps For Legal Paternal Lineage Testing

Order your DNA test like you would any other product online.  Fill in your name, email, phone, shipping address.

For any DNA test to be considered Court Admissible it must be shipped to and handled only by an uninterested and unrelated 3rd party.

This 3rd party will take responsibility for collecting the samples, verifying the identity of the participants, and returning the samples to our lab. This can be done anywhere, such as the third parties house, a medical facility, or law office. This third party can be anyone, a lawyer, notary, family friend, doctor, nurse, or pastor. But most importantly it must be someone with no interest in the results of the test.

Detailed instructions can be seen here.

  • Step 2: Get your DNA Collected

Make sure to bring a federally recognized government ID, such as a drivers license, passport, or military ID. In the case of a child being tested, a valid certified birth certificate copy must be brought. These should be copied or photographed by the collector. You will also be required to have a picture taken by the collector (or elect to bring one with you) at the time of the collection. The collector will help you fill out the paperwork, sign, include all copies and pictures (hard-copies or send electronic copies to Info@ValidityGenetics with the order number attached), and certify that the collection has taken place according to legal standards.

  • Step 3: Receive your Legal Paternity Results

After providing the sample at the collection site, the DNA test kit will be mailed in a secure and traceable package to our accredited home laboratory in El Paso, Texas.  The professional laboratory technicians will handle your genetic samples according to the exacting standards set forth by the AABB in preparing and processing the samples.  Testing will be complete within two business days, the results will be double checked and verified for 99.99% accuracy, and after being signed off by our PhD lab directors we will issue a legal document to you via your email.


Legal Paternal Lineage Testing: Frequently Asked Questions

+ The Other Participant to be tested lives in a different city or state, can I still do the Test?

  • Yes! If any of the participants live at different addresses, different cities, or even in different states, we can coordinate sample collection for everyone involved.

    An extra charge will be applied for each separate collection.

+ I am not sure what DNA test is for me, can you help me decide?

  • Of course! Our team of DNA professionals are here to listen to your needs and help you decide on what is best for you. We have multiple ways for you to get a hold of us. Send us an email from our Contact Us page, chat with a specialist on our Facebook Page via Messenger, or give us a call!

    We also have a page with more legal DNA information.

+ HOW FAST CAN I GET MY RESULTS?

  • Validity Genetics has a quick industry leading turnaround time of only two to three business days for most of our home and legal DNA collection tests after recipt at the laboratory. We also have same day rush options available.

    For Paternal Lineage (Y-STR) and Infidelity DNA Tests the results will be prepared and emailed to you within 3-5 business days.

+ HOW ACCURATE ARE THE TESTS?

  • Our tests are performed in a fully CAP, A2LA, AABB accredited and ISO 17025/9001 certified laboratory. All of our paternity and DNA testing services follow strict and validated procedures for processing samples to guarantee the highest degree of accuracy. The testing process looks for 23 genetic markers ensuring you receive 99.99% accurate test results, making our legal paternity tests fully court admissible across the United States and Canada.