Amniocentesis. This is an invasive paternity test that can be conducted as early as 13 weeks into a pregnancy or as late as 24 weeks. [2] X Research source This test is performed by inserting a long, hollow needle into the pregnant woman’s uterus where a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted. [3] X Research source The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is considered safe. [4] X Research source However, there is a small chance of miscarriage and side effects may include cramping, vaginal bleeding, and amniotic fluid leakage. [5] X Research source Chorionic Villus Sampling. This is another invasive paternity test, less popular than amniocentesis, that can be conducted between week 10 and 13 of pregnancy. [6] X Research source This test is performed by taking a sample of cells from the vagina, cervix, or abdominal wall. [7] X Research source Some people choose this test over amniocentesis because it can be performed earlier in the pregnancy, which may be important in legal paternity suits. [8] X Research source The risk of miscarriage is almost twice as high as that of amniocentesis and the side effects may include vaginal bleeding. [9] X Research source Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity. This method is non-invasive and can be conducted after week 14 of pregnancy. [10] X Research source This test is performed by taking a blood sample from the mother and isolating the fetal cells in that blood. [11] X Research source While this test is non-invasive, it is relatively new and has its drawbacks. [12] X Research source For instance, there is a chance that doctors will not be able to isolate the fetal cells and if the mother has been pregnant before, there is a chance the wrong fetal cells will be isolated. [13] X Research source
Talk to your doctor and ask them if they have any recommendations on where to get your prenatal paternity testing done. They may be able to do it right there at the doctor’s office, but at the very least your doctor should have some idea of who to contact. Visit the American Pregnancy Association’s website, which endorses the DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) because of their longstanding AABB accreditation. The website gives you their contact information, which you can use to ask questions and set up appointments. [14] X Research source
Amniocentesis typically costs between $1,600 and $3,000, which includes both physician fees and the DNA testing itself. [15] X Research source There is a chance your insurance may cover some of the cost, so be sure to check with your insurance carrier for more information. [16] X Research source Chorionic villus sampling typically costs between $1,800 and $3,000, which includes both physician fees and the DNA testing itself. [17] X Research source There is a chance your insurance may cover some of the cost, so be sure to check with your insurance carrier for more information. [18] X Research source Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing typically costs between $1,000 and $1,500, which includes physician fees and the DNA testing itself. [19] X Research source
In California, a sample form can be accessed here. The actual form can be mailed to you if you email askpop@dcss. ca. gov. [27] X Research source The form can also be obtained by going to your county’s child support agency, registrar of births, family law facilitator, or welfare office. [28] X Research source In Ohio, the document will be generated at the hospital at the time of the child’s birth or at a local health department or Child Support Enforcement Agency.
In California, the completed form must be filed with the California Department of Child Support Services Paternity Opportunity Program. [29] X Research source In Ohio, the completed form must be filed with the Office of Vital Statistics.
The Petition to Establish Parental Relationship asks for information including your name, the child’s information, and information about what you are asking the court for (e. g. , parent-child relationship, child custody, reasonable expenses of pregnancy, and/or costs of litigation). [31] X Research source The Summons is an informational form telling the other parent about the proceedings that have been brought. [32] X Research source It states that the other party is being sued and it asks that other party to read the form. [33] X Research source The Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act form asks you to indicate the children involved in the suit you are bringing and asks you to provide their personal information to the court. [34] X Research source The form also asks if you have ever been involved in another similar suit with these children before, whether you have ever been the subject of a restraining order or protective order, and whether there are any other parties with custody or visitation rights the the child or children in question. [35] X Research source
You can choose to serve the other parent personally, which involves someone giving the papers to the other parent personally, or you can serve the other parent through the mail, which involves sending the papers to the other parent. [39] X Research source
If the suit is uncontested, you and the other parent will fill out a number of forms found here and you will file them with the clerk of courts. [45] X Research source These various forms simply ask you to verify that you understand the consequences of what you are agreeing to and asks you to agree that you are the parent of the child. [46] X Research source If the suit is contested, it is most likely because the alleged father will want a paternity test conducted in order to verify that they (or you) are indeed the father of the child. [47] X Research source In this situation, a judge may ask the alleged father to submit a DNA sample, which can be taken by an oral swab or a blood test, and that DNA sample will then be compared to the DNA of the child. [48] X Research source
