FAQs

Paternity testing is a scientific test used to determine whether or not a man is the biological father of a child. Since we inherit half our DNA from our mother and half from our father the test compares the DNA from the father to the child to see if they match.

When it is not possible to test an alleged father, Paternity can be established indirectly by testing parental relatives using Grandparentage, Siblingship, Avuncular testing, or Forensic testing.

A simple and painless mouth swab is used to collect cells from the inside of a person’s cheek.  A sterile swab is rubbed for 20 to 30 seconds on the inside of the cheek to collect these cells. This type of testing is just as accurate as a blood test, but not as invasive. Forensic samples are also accepted.

Many cases involve doctors and attorneys, but you are not required to have a court order nor referral.  You can order both legal and private DNA testing services yourself online, over the phone or via email.

Yes, it is possible to have a Forensic sample submitted for testing. Please see our section on Forensic testing for more information.

With local facilities located across Canada we can accommodate these types of scenarios. It is also possible to have two separate appointment times at the same location if you are not comfortable seeing the other party.  Individuals tested are positively identified through photographs and government issued photo identification.

 If you are having a private test done we can send split kits out to each person who is being tested at each address (simply specify each additional shipping addresses upon checkout in the indicated field). Each kit is identified by a unique number to assure all samples are match up accordingly once received back at the laboratory.

Legal testing clients can choose to come into a facility across Canada or have a Mobile Unit dispatched to a desired location. During the collection process, the individuals tested are positively identified through photographs and government issued photo identification. Certified DNA Specialists will perform the collection, through a simple and painless mouth swab from the inside of the cheek. All information is documented on a Chain of Custody which ensures all test results are legally admissible and accredited.

Private testing is just as accurate and treated the same way in the laboratory as our legal testing, but can be performed in the comfort of your own home. You will receive your kit in the mail which includes easy to follow instructions with pictures, collection envelopes, mouth swabs and a client identification form.  Also includes a return, pre-addressed envelope to return your samples for testing. It is up to the clients to pay for shipping to get the samples back to us for testing.

Once the samples are received at the facility the exact same procedures are followed with a legal test and a private test, to ensure the highest level of quality and standards. We use 16 to 28 different genetic markers to build a genetic profile, an industry gold standard. All laboratory reports are run in duplicate to ensure accuracy and reviewed by a Ph.D. Analyst.

Once the samples are received at our laboratory you will receive your results within 5 to 7 business days. If you require your results sooner for an additional $100.00 fee you can add a rush analysis and you will have your results within as little as 3 to 5 business days.  Our Ancestry and Genealogy testing takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete.

All reports are sent by mail, email or fax. Results are never released over the phone. When filling out your Chain of Custody form there is a section to fill out to let us know where you would like your final results sent and how many copies you require.

Yes, if you have legal testing done they are court admissible and accredited. Private cases are NOT court admissible, but will deliver the same results as legal testing

Yes, testing will not begin until payment is received in full.

Because DNA testing can be a private matter, Canadian DNA Services ships everything from our testing kits to your results in plain, unmarked envelopes.