Postnatal paternity testing, after a baby is born, is a highly accurate way to determine whether a man is the biological father of the baby. This DNA paternity test is safe, painless, and has a high accuracy rate of over 99.999% (in medical statistics, we cannot say 100% accuracy).
This article outlines what you need to know about paternity testing after your baby is born.
Why do we need to conduct a paternity test?
In many cases, paternity testing is beneficial in several ways, including:
1. Benefits of medical paternity testing
This will help to understand the child’s risk in cases where the biological father has a disease that may be passed on genetically to the child, such as certain genetic disorders, which are common in Thailand, such as thalassemia, or may pass on the risk of certain hereditary cancers, such as breast cancer and colon cancer.
In some cases, if it is a consanguinity marriage, DNA paternity testing may also help determine the risk of various diseases in the child. Consanguinity marriages increase the chances of recessive genetic mutations that are latent in the population interbreeding, leading to the transmission of recessive genetic diseases such as alkaptonuria and cystic fibrosis.
2. Benefits of legal paternity proof
In family law, civil and commercial law, and even criminal law, paternity testing has several benefits, such as:
- Children are entitled to claim child support and are entitled to receive various payments, such as inherited pensions or government assistance, as prescribed by law.
- Have the right to sue for various damages.
- Get the right to legal tax deductions
- Children can use their father’s surname according to the Civil and Commercial Code, Section 1561.
- Have the right to file civil and criminal lawsuits on behalf of minors in cases where minors are victims in criminal cases.
- The father has the right to custody of the child.
- The father has the right to take any action regarding the minor’s property, including the power to request permission from the court to make legal transactions on behalf of the minor.
- etc.
Paternity testing is an effective and cost-effective way to find out the truth. Delaying the truth-telling process can have a profound impact on children who become attached to a man who is later found not to be the father, resulting in emotional trauma for both parties.
When should a paternity test be considered?
Paternity testing can be performed immediately after the baby is born, which will reduce any doubts and ensure that the father-baby relationship gets off to the best possible start.
Paternity testing can be performed immediately after the baby is born, but only with the consent of the child’s mother.
DNA paternity test fee is 12,000 baht, with service available nationwide.
Contact LINE ID: @HealthSmile
However, we recognize that paternity is a sensitive and personal issue that can have a significant impact on families. Therefore, before undergoing a paternity test, consider your personal circumstances and how the test results may affect your family relationships.
In some cases, it may be a good idea to seek counseling to help all parties deal with the consequences.
How many types of paternity tests are there after a baby is born?
There are two types of paternity tests after a baby is born: tests for peace of mind and tests for legal documentation.
Paternity testing for peace of mind
For your peace of mind, paternity testing is available only when you or the father wishes to know your own information. The paternity test kit will be sent to the address of your choice so you can collect a swab at a time convenient for you, or you can have one of our staff members come in and collect it for you.
The DNA sample is then sent back to our laboratory for analysis, and we will send a report via email and LINE to confirm the probability of paternity, along with a genetic counselor to provide advice in case of any doubts.
This test is very accurate, but cannot be used for legal reasons because the samples were not collected with clear reference to the location and person (no Chain of Custody).
Paternity testing for legal documentation
A paternity test to obtain legal documentation is conducted when one of the parents or the child does not consent to the registration of paternity, thus relying on the power of the court to order legal paternity.
To obtain this legal document, the paternity test must be performed at our service center. It cannot be collected in person or at an off-site location (you can contact LINE ID: @HealthSmile to inquire about a center near you). This is so that the officers can collect evidence and various information correctly according to the Chain of Custody criteria. You must bring the ID cards of both the mother and the person suspected of being the father, as well as the child’s birth certificate, and take photos while collecting the items for examination.
Once the DNA sample is collected, it will be returned to our laboratory for analysis and a legal result will be issued, which will include the name of the person being tested to confirm the probability of paternity. A genetic counselor will also be available to provide advice if there is any doubt.
Collecting specimens for legal documentation will incur additional costs. For more information on costs, please contact LINE ID: @HealthSmile.
At what age can a baby be tested for paternity?
DNA paternity testing can be done immediately after birth, regardless of the child’s age, but only with the mother’s consent.
Paternity testing involves taking buccal swabs from the suspected father and the baby. The baby’s DNA is then compared to the DNA to determine if they are identical. The buccal swabs are collected using a sterile cotton swab, which is quick, painless, and has no effect on the newborn’s physical or mental health.
How do I collect DNA samples for paternity testing?
One important point to consider before testing, and one that is most important, is that a paternity test cannot be performed without the consent of all parties involved in the testing : the child’s mother, the child, and any suspected father.
For minor children (under 18 years of age), the only person who can consent to the use of DNA testing is the person who has legal responsibility for the child, namely the mother or a person appointed by the court as the child’s legal guardian. By law, the mother is automatically responsible for the child from birth, or if the mother is deceased or incapacitated, the legal guardian of the child who will give permission. The father is responsible for the child if he meets one of the following criteria:
- Marry the child’s mother
- Child registration
- There is a court order to become the father of the child.
To perform a paternity test, a swab is used to collect cells from the inside of your cheek to collect a sample of cells containing your individual DNA. Your test kit will contain two swabs for each person tested: two for the suspected father and two for the child.
Once you have received your DNA paternity test kit and completed the enclosed request/consent form, you can collect cells for testing simply by rubbing a cotton swab up and down inside the person’s mouth, inside the cheek, at least 10 times to collect cells from the cheek.
These swabs are then sealed within the individual test sample envelopes provided in your kit before being sent back to our lab for analysis.
Is it necessary to get DNA from the mother in a paternity test?
Since a mother’s DNA sample is not required for paternity testing, it is not necessary to take cells from the mother for DNA testing. However, there is a condition that the mother must give consent for the examination, or if the mother cannot give consent, then the person with legal custody of the child must give consent on behalf of the child being examined.
However, if the mother refuses to undergo a paternity test for legal reasons, the suspected father can petition the court to order a legal paternity test. If a court order has already been issued in this case, the mother must consent to the child undergoing a DNA test, but the court has the power to revoke the order if the court determines that collecting the sample is not in the child’s best interests.
How much does paternity screening cost after the baby is born?
HealthSmile’s DNA paternity test kit costs 12,000 baht (to test one child and one father) with results available in 10-14 days.
How soon will I get tested?
In cases where legal documents are not required, test results will be available within 10-14 days as we send the test to the DDC (DNA Diagnostic Center) in Ohio, USA.
If legal documents are required, test results will be available within 14 days, along with legally valid documents. However, you must come to receive services at the testing center, which is available in many locations nationwide. Please inquire for more information.
If a DNA test is performed to prove paternity without issuing legal documents, can it be used to replace the birth certificate?
Paternity tests for peace of mind cannot be used to change birth certificates.
If you need a paternity test to change your father’s name on your birth certificate, you will need to visit a paternity testing center to obtain legal documentation. This test is as accurate as a paternity test for peace of mind, but is conducted under strict supervision to ensure that the person being tested for DNA is who they say they are.
How can I check my paternity after birth?
DNA paternity testing, offered by Health Smile , is the most accurate way to determine paternity after a baby is born.
Want to learn more about paternity testing? Contact LINE ID: @HealthSmile. Our customer service representatives will help answer your questions.
References
1. Randall C. How soon can you DNA paternity test a baby after birth? [Internet]. AlphaBiolabs. 2022 [cited 2024 Sep 10]. Available from: https://www.alphabiolabs.co.uk/learning-centre/paternity-test-after-birth/