The genetic tests that establish the paternity can be done at home or the doctor. What conditions should be met in order to be recognized by courts

In the last two decades, the paternity test has become as easy to order as a smart device. However, when the stake goes beyond the simple curiosity-food pension, visit, registration on the birth certificate-it matters not only what the DNA shows, but where, as well as by whom the genetic test is analyzed.

When does the question appear “We are, however, blood relatives?”

The need for confirmation can start from a couple dispute, from the father's desire to get involved only if he is safe or, on the contrary, from the mother who asks for legal support. In Romania, the actions to establish paternity have increased with the popularization of genetic tests at affordable prices. A kit taken online, some saliva samples and … ready. Only, in the absence of clear identification rules, the result remains information for your peace, not for the courts.

The home kit – friend with the wallet, but without legal “voice”

The informative test (also called “Peace-of-mind”) is done quickly: descend the drunk, rub the inside of the cheek, usually the child and the alleged father (sometimes the mother, if you want a more calculated probability), let the drunk dry (1–2 minutes) and enter it in the individual tube/envelope. Companies usually send different colored envelopes so that you do not mix them. Complete the accompanying form (name, date, signature), – but without official identity verification. You put all the tubes and the form in a larger envelope-the one provided in the kit of the kit-and send it by courier or mail to the laboratory indicated in the instructions.

The company sends you a compatibility probability> 99,999%. Perfect to stop the rumors in the family – but so on. There is no identity check, and the custody chain (the act showing who held the sample at every moment) is missing. In court, such a report is either ignored, or the judge has the repeat of the test under supervision.

Depending on the company, this can be a laboratory in Romania or the United Kingdom/United States. Some kits include a prepaid AWB, others let you choose the shipping service. Because no one checks who collected the samples (they could be anyone), as they were labeled (they can be replaced), as long as they were at the correct temperature on the international road, the court considers the report only indicative. If you reach the trial, the judge will ask for a repeat of the test in an accredited laboratory and with a complete custody chain.

The legal test at the clinic – when you need an official verdict

If you want the result sheet to be the basis of registering the name on the birth certificate or establishing the pension, you must go to an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory-the standard certifies procedures, staff and top medical equipment.

What happens differently from home kit:

• The identity of the participants is checked on the spot (CI, Passport, the birth certificate of the child);
• The samples are sealed with inviolable labels and enrolled in an electronic register;
• The final report is printed on the laboratory header, numbered, signed by the genetic and archived doctor.

Administrative steps to obtain a recognized paternity test in court

1. Programming and consent. Both parents (or legal representatives) contact the accredited medical center and sign the informed agreement. In litigious cases, the court may order the harvest without the consent of one of the adults, according to the Civil Code.

2. Identification of participants. At the collection, the original identity documents are presented. The medical staff photographs or scans the documents and notes the data in the Custody Chain form. When possible, it is recommended to include the mother: its presence increases the statistical power of the test and shortens the analysis time.

3. Harvesting of samples. The most common sample is the buccal pad, accepted by the courts due to the comfort for the child. If necessary you can use blood, hair or nails, but the custody chain becomes more complex. Each tube is sealed with inviolable label and inserted into a secure envelope.

4. Transport and analysis. The courier of the clinic delivers the samples directly to the laboratory, where the time of arrival and the integrity of the seal are recorded. The analysis takes 5-10 business days, depending on the number of markers requested.

5. Release of the report. The result rises personally or is sent by mail with receipt confirmation. The report contains the statistical interpretation and the mention of the ISO 15189 accreditation, indispensable for validation in court.

In compliance with these steps, the paternity test becomes a solid test, helping families to clarify legal and emotional relationships without the risk of further challenges.

How do you prepare your child and the whole family

Sampling samples for paternity DNA test does not cause pain. Talk to the little one on his tongue: “The doctor will easily touch your boldness, in the mouth, with a stick like a toothbrush. It doesn't hurt, it takes a few seconds.” Decide by mutual agreement who accompanies him to harvest; The presence of both parents decreases tension. If the test comes in a conflict context, take into account a psychological counseling session to process everyone's emotions.

An informative DNA test can bring you peace, but it cannot establish a court decision. For a legal result, you need the ISO 15189 frame, the custody chain and the signature of a genetician. In this way you save time, money and, above all, protect the child from the stress of resuming procedures.