A maternity test compares the DNA profile of a child with that of an alleged mother to determine whether she is the biological parent.
Our laboratory analyzes a minimum of 24 short tandem repeat (STR) genetic markers from painless inner-cheek swabs. A child inherits half of their DNA from each biological parent, so the child's markers must match the mother's at every tested location for maternity to be confirmed.
Maternity questions arise less often than paternity ones, and usually for a specific reason — an adoption reunion, a record that does not match, or a family separated across borders or across years. Tell us the reason on this form. It changes which test we recommend.
Function and purpose- Adoption reunification and confirming a biological mother
- Adding or correcting a mother on a birth certificate
- A hospital, records or identity question about a child
- Social Security, inheritance and benefit claims
- Private peace-of-mind answers for the family
Immigration cases work differently. Immigration DNA testing follows a separate process
set by the U.S. Department of State and must be arranged directly by the petitioner through an
AABB-accredited laboratory. Call us and we will walk you through it.
Industry standards
- Inclusion results report a probability of maternity of 99.99% or greater; exclusions are reported at 100%.
- Legal (chain-of-custody) tests require photo identification, witnessed collection and tamper-evident packaging.
- Testing is performed by an AABB-accredited laboratory, accredited for Relationship Testing Activities, using dual-technician review.
- Standard turnaround is 2 to 3 business days after the final sample arrives at the laboratory.
- The father's participation is optional but strengthens the statistical power of the report.