Family Relationships

For questions related to estate settlement, aboriginal status/membership, immigration applications and family reunification, DNA testing can help you verify biological paternity, maternity and other family relationships. Whether you are just curious about your biological family or have a legal challenge to resolve, TheDNALAB is ready to help.

mother

Are you
my Mother?

Children get 50% of their DNA from each parent. You can verify the mother/child relationship (maternity) without having to test the father.

Are we Identical Twins or Fraternal?

Identical twins share the same DNA profile. Fraternal twins are reported like full siblings.

Grandparents and Grandchildren

Grandparents and Grandchildren

Biological grandchildren have on average 25% of their DNA from each grandparent.

Full or Half Siblings

Full or Half
Siblings

Brothers and sisters can verify if they have the same father and/ or mother.

uncle

Are you the Biological Aunt (or Uncle)?

Also known as ‘avuncular’ testing, aunts and uncles are often tested to verify extended family relationships (e.g. when the biological parents are deceased or otherwise not available for testing).

Percent of DNA shared by family members

Relationship DNA Shared Results Reported As
Parent/Child50%Probability of Paternity/Maternity: 
99.95% and higher (or 0%)
Grandparent/GrandchildAvg. 25%Likelihood of Relatedness (%)
Full Aunt/Uncle of Nephew/NieceAvg. 25%Likelihood of Relatedness (%)
Half Aunt/Uncle of Nephew/NieceAvg. 12.5%Likelihood of Relatedness (%)
Identical Twins100%Identical vs. Fraternal Twins (full sibling)
Full SiblingAvg. 50%Likelihood of Full Sibship (%)
Half SiblingAvg. 25%Likelihood of Half Sibship (%)

Are you just curious? Or do you want a test result you can take to court?
Compare the benefits of Curiosity vs. Legal DNA tests by clicking here.

Or call us today (1.877.706.7678). We will answer your questions and help you get the right DNA test for your personal situation.

With all of the tests above, the conclusions of the analysis will be reported as a Combined Relatedness Index or Likelihood of Relatedness, compared to two unrelated individuals. We cannot guarantee conclusive results prior to testing as the actual result will depend on how much, if any, DNA is shared and how common that DNA is in the general population.

Frequently Asked DNA Testing Questions (& Answers)

DNA questions (and answers) regarding testing for paternity and other family relationships.
If you don’t see your question here, get in touch with us

How accurate is DNA paternity testing?

DNA paternity testing is 100% accurate when done properly.

In addition to having qualified analysts or scientists conducting the testing procedures and reporting, all of TheDNALAB’s legally-documented tests include identity verification with a strict Chain of Custody and inspection of all received packages to ensure proper sample handling.

To date, none of our Legal DNA results have been successfully challenged or overturned in a Court of Law.

Is testing the mother necessary as part of a paternity test?

No. Testing the mother typically yields a higher probability of paternity (thus is scientifically recommended), but it is not mandatory. The test may be conclusive without obtaining a sample from the mother; however, it will require more analysis to provide conclusive results.

Can DNA paternity testing be conducted without the alleged father (father is missing or deceased)?

Yes. DNA testing to confirm paternity can be conducted in the absence of a biological sample from the father. When an individual is deceased or unavailable for testing, it may be possible to use other biological family members – for example, the biological mother and one or both paternal grandparents.

Non-standard or ‘Reference’ samples can also be used. For example, blood or tissue samples (sent directly to our laboratory from either the Coroner or Medical Examiner’s Office). Personal items can also be submitted as reference samples for tests that are for curiosity. (Personal items typically would not meet our protocols to qualify for a Legal DNA test).

Please call our expert customer service representatives for more information.

Can DNA maternity testing be conducted without the alleged mother (mother is missing or deceased)?

Yes. DNA testing to confirm maternity can be conducted in the absence of a biological sample from the alleged mother. When an individual is deceased or unavailable for testing, it may be possible to use other biological family members – for example, the biological father and one or both maternal grandparents.

Non-standard or ‘Reference’ samples can also be used. For example, blood or tissue samples (sent directly to our laboratory from either the Coroner or Medical Examiner’s Office). Personal items can also be submitted as reference samples for tests that are for curiosity. (Personal items typically would not meet our protocols to qualify for a Legal DNA test).

Please call our expert customer service representatives for more information.

There are two possible fathers and they are related. Can testing be performed accurately?

Yes. However, it is imperative that we be advised of this possibility prior to testing. For example, if the two possible fathers are brothers or father and son, they will share a high percentage of the same DNA and could both be included as the biological father of the tested child within the accurate range of a 99.95% probability result.

Best scientific practice in this scenario is to have both possible fathers tested along with the biological mother of the child (as part of one ‘case’ or ‘project’). If only one possible father can be tested, our scientific specialists at TheDNALAB will perform additional testing and statistical analysis. If the statistical analysis is not conclusive, we would recommend that the other possible father be tested, if feasible – and an additional fee would be applicable in that situation.

How long will the results take?

Results for a standard DNA test are reported in 3 to 5 business days from receipt of all required samples at our laboratory. If you require results faster than that, it is possible to turn around results within 24 hours. Please call us for details.

DNA paternity testing is 100% accurate when done properly. In addition to having qualified analysts or scientists conducting the testing procedures and reporting, all of TheDNALAB’s legally-documented tests include identity verification with a strict Chain of Custody and inspection of all received packages to ensure proper sample handling. To date, none of our Legal DNA results have been successfully challenged or overturned in a Court of Law.
No. Testing the mother typically yields a higher probability of paternity (thus is scientifically recommended), but it is not mandatory. The test may be conclusive without obtaining a sample from the mother; however, it will require more analysis to provide conclusive results.
Yes. DNA testing to confirm paternity can be conducted in the absence of a biological sample from the father. When an individual is deceased or unavailable for testing, it may be possible to use other biological family members – for example, the biological mother and one or both paternal grandparents. Non-standard or ‘Reference’ samples can also be used. For example, blood or tissue samples (sent directly to our laboratory from either the Coroner or Medical Examiner’s Office). Personal items can also be submitted as reference samples for tests that are for curiosity. (Personal items typically would not meet our protocols to qualify for a Legal DNA test). Please call our expert customer service representatives for more information.
Yes. DNA testing to confirm maternity can be conducted in the absence of a biological sample from the alleged mother. When an individual is deceased or unavailable for testing, it may be possible to use other biological family members – for example, the biological father and one or both maternal grandparents. Non-standard or ‘Reference’ samples can also be used. For example, blood or tissue samples (sent directly to our laboratory from either the Coroner or Medical Examiner’s Office). Personal items can also be submitted as reference samples for tests that are for curiosity. (Personal items typically would not meet our protocols to qualify for a Legal DNA test). Please call our expert customer service representatives for more information.
Yes. However, it is imperative that we be advised of this possibility prior to testing. For example, if the two possible fathers are brothers or father and son, they will share a high percentage of the same DNA and could both be included as the biological father of the tested child within the accurate range of a 99.95% probability result. Best scientific practice in this scenario is to have both possible fathers tested along with the biological mother of the child (as part of one ‘case’ or ‘project’). If only one possible father can be tested, our scientific specialists at TheDNALAB will perform additional testing and statistical analysis. If the statistical analysis is not conclusive, we would recommend that the other possible father be tested, if feasible – and an additional fee would be applicable in that situation.
Results for a standard DNA test are reported in 3 to 5 business days from receipt of all required samples at our laboratory. If you require results faster than that, it is possible to turn around results within 24 hours. Please call us for details.
If you change your mind about your order, and samples have not yet been received at the lab, a refund can be provided. For home collection kits, a full refund minus a $50 (CAD) administration fee will apply. No refund will be provided after 12 months regardless of the status of the case. For legal or immigration testing, half of the total case fee will be refunded.
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Si vous changez d’avis concernant votre commande, et que les échantillons n’ont pas été reçus au laboratoire, vous pouvez demander un remboursement. Dans le cas des trousses de prélèvement à domicile, nous pouvons vous donner un remboursement complet moins les frais d’administration de 50 $ (CAD). Aucun remboursement ne sera donné après 12 mois peu importe le statut du dossier. Dans le cas des tests pour des fins juridiques ou d’immigration, nous pouvons vous donner un remboursement de la moitié du total des frais.

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