Frequently asked questions

If any court, agency, attorney, or official process might ever ask for the result, choose the legal test. If it's purely for your own knowledge, the private test is the same science at a lower price. A private result cannot be converted to a legal one later; the samples would have to be recollected under chain of custody.

Often, yes. A grandparent, full sibling, or aunt or uncle of the alleged father can be tested against the child. See relationship tests. We confirm the right combination with the laboratory before your appointment. If you're unsure who can be tested, email us or call before booking.

No. We focus on paternity and family-relationship testing for people in San Diego. We don't offer prenatal paternity, immigration DNA, ancestry, or medical genetic testing.

Everyone being tested, at the same time. For paternity that's the alleged father and the child, plus the mother if she's participating (free). Each adult brings government photo ID.

A parent or legal guardian with authority to consent must attend and sign for the child. If the parents are not married to each other, the child's mother must consent. A court order can substitute for her consent. Without proper consent the laboratory will not process the child's sample, so please sort this out before booking.

No. We collect every sample ourselves at the appointment, and every participant must consent. We don't test anyone without their knowledge.

A soft cheek swab rubbed inside the mouth for about 30 seconds. No needles, no blood. Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum for 30 minutes beforehand.

About 20 minutes for a private test and 30 for a legal test, because of the identification and paperwork.

Yes. Mobile collection is available anywhere in San Diego County for a travel fee, quoted by location before you book. The same ID, consent, and chain-of-custody rules apply, and everyone being tested must be present at the visit. Request it on the contact form or by email.

Samples go out on the next overnight carrier pickup after your appointment. The laboratory typically processes cases in one to three business days after they arrive, so most reports come back within three to four business days of your appointment. Relationship cases typically take 3 to 5 business days. Weekends, holidays, and occasional quality re-tests can add time. We never quote a guaranteed date.

Not at this time. Most reports arrive within 3 to 4 business days of your appointment. We don't offer a rush option yet, and we never promise same-day results.

The laboratory reports a probability of paternity on every case. A typical inclusion is reported above 99.9% and an exclusion at 0%. The report states its own figures; we don't interpret beyond what it says.

Only the people named as authorized recipients on the consent forms, by the delivery method you choose. Legal cases also get a notarized hard copy mailed to the address on the chain-of-custody form.

No. We're a collection and coordination service, not lawyers. Questions about how a result affects a legal matter go to an attorney or the court.

Everything: collection, laboratory analysis, overnight shipping, and your report. There is no separate collection fee.

A $50 deposit reserves your appointment and is applied to your total. The balance is due at the appointment before collection. Reschedule free with 24 hours' notice; cancel with 24 hours' notice for a full deposit refund. Full terms are on the policies page.

The $50 deposit is paid by card when you book online. The balance is paid at your appointment before collection begins.

If the laboratory needs a new sample for any reason, your second appointment is free.

Yes. Your appointment is in a private office. We collect only what the laboratory's procedure requires, we don't put results or ID copies in booking or marketing tools, results go only to authorized recipients, and your information is never shared with employers or insurers. See our privacy notice.

By an independent AABB-accredited relationship-testing laboratory. Truestone Testing performs collection and case coordination; we don't run a laboratory.