Legal Paternity Tests
A paternity test is a DNA test that helps to establish the biological father of a child. A legal DNA test involves strict chain of custody procedures that need to be followed so that the paternity test results can be admissible in court.
Why do a Legal Paternity Test?
In many cases, paternity tests are used to determine child support and custody arrangements. No matter the reason, a legal paternity test can help you get the answers you need with court-admissible results.
Quick & Easy Sample Collection
DNA samples consist of a simple cheek swab completed at an authorized sample location.
Convenient Process
We book sample collection appointments for you at any of our 300+ authorized sample collection locations across Canada.
Court-Admissible
All the sample collections are witnessed and involve identification verification. The test results and reports can be used in family court or other legal proceedings.
Starting at $500 + tax
Our ALL-INCLUSIVE pricing includes:
- Witnessed sample collections for ALL the donors in Canada*
- Sample collection kits for ALL the donors
- ALL the shipping costs within Canada
- Complete DNA testing and analysis
- Forensic-level review by two scientists
- SCC accredited report emailed in approximately 5 business days.
*Excluding incarcerated donors.
Legal DNA Testing in 4 Straightforward Steps
1: Call Us or Book Online
Start by calling us at 1-844-362-5224 or complete our online booking form.
2: Appointment & Payment Confirmation
Complete your payment and The DNA LAB will initiate the witnessed sample collection appointments where identification will be verified.
3: Sample Collections
DNA samples (cheek swabs) will be collected at one of our authorized collection sites and sent to our laboratory following strict chain of custody protocols.
4: Report
Clients and their legal representatives will receive a report of the results within approximately 5 business days after all DNA samples are received at The DNA LAB.
Trusted Results from The DNA LAB
Our laboratory is SCC-Accredited.
The SCC Accreditation Symbol is an official symbol of the Standards Council of Canada, used under license. Choosing an accredited laboratory is the best way for you to ensure that your test results are reliable. The DNA LAB’s DNA laboratory is the accredited lab of choice for DNA testing in Canada.
Legal vs Curiosity Paternity Test
Legal paternity tests are required when the results of a paternity test need to be admitted in court. The process for a legal paternity test is different than for a curiosity paternity test. The participant’s samples must be collected and witnessed at one of our collection facilities or through a mobile collection by one of our professionals. The participant’s identity must be verified with government ID. This process helps to ensure that the results of the paternity test are admissible in court.
Legal paternity tests can be an important tool in determining paternity. If you have any questions about legal paternity tests, please contact us. We would be happy to answer any of your questions.
The Importance of Legal Paternity Testing in Obtaining Benefits for a Child in Canada
A legal paternity test can assist in obtaining all entitled benefits for a child from both parents, including life insurance, health care, social security, and child support.
In terms of Canadian Tax Laws, a legal paternity test is valuable in providing evidence of paternity for an individual not listed on the child’s birth certificate. Once parentage is established, the child can be claimed as a dependent and qualify for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), if the individual is the primary caregiver for the child.
Each province/territory also has a child tax benefit that the parent may be eligible to receive. Visit the Canada Revenue Agency’s website for more information.
Establish Rights to an Inheritance
When it comes to inheritance, the legalities can be complicated. In order to ensure that you receive what is rightfully yours, a legal DNA test can be extremely helpful. This type of test can help to establish your identity and prove your, or your child’s, relationship to the deceased, both of which are essential in order to claim an inheritance.
A legal DNA test can also help to resolve any disputed claims. If there are multiple people claiming the same inheritance, a DNA test can provide conclusive proof as to who is entitled to receive it.
Obtaining Custody of a Child
Custody battles can be emotionally charged and difficult to navigate. In some cases, one parent may try to claim that the other parent is not the child’s biological parent in order to gain an advantage in the proceedings. A legal paternity test can help to resolve these disputes by providing definitive proof of parentage.
In Canada, these tests are typically conducted by an accredited laboratory, such as The DNA LAB, and must be ordered by a court or government agency. The results of the test can be used to determine custody arrangements. By ordering a legal DNA test, parents can ensure that they are making decisions based on facts, rather than assumptions.
Be Added to the Birth Certificate of a Child
A legal DNA test can help a person get added to the birth certificate of a child in Canada. The test can confirm the identity of the father and help to establish paternity. Once paternity is established, the father can then apply to have his name added to the child’s birth certificate.
A legal paternity test can help to ensure that the child’s birth certificate accurately reflects their parentage. As a result, it can play an important role in ensuring that the child has a complete and accurate record of their family history.