DNA Test – Altoona, IA

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Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in Altoona, Iowa at our centrally located testing laboratory. Call (515) 298-5480 or schedule online. We offer legal paternity tests, sibling studies, grandparent DNA tests, avuncular (aunt or uncle) testing, and postmortem DNA testing to determine if people are biologically related.

Set up DNA testing appointments online. Test results can be used in court for child support or to change a birth a certificate; it can also be used for simple peace of mind. Appointments can be scheduled together or separately. Legal DNA tests are done by cheek swab at our testing centers. We can also extract DNA samples from hair follicles, fingernails, and other specimens.

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DNA Test – Altoona, Iowa

Altoona IA DNA Testing Locations

Types of DNA Tests at our Altoona, Iowa clinics:

Paternity Testing can conclusively establish whether or not a man is the biological father of a child.

Relationship Testing for other close family relationships can be performed at our testing centers. Our DNA testing services can confirm or deny biological relationships between grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, half-siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews:

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Grandparent DNA Test (if the father is not available for testing)
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Sibling DNA Test (possible brothers, sisters, or half-siblings)
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Avuncular DNA Test (aunt/uncle and niece/nephew)

Specimens we can test for DNA

The easiest and most reliable way to obtain a DNA sample for paternity testing is to swab the inner cheeks of the alleged father and child or children. These skin cells are known as buccal cells, and they rub off easily onto cotton swabs and remain in place for analysis by our laboratory.

Other specimen samples, such as hair follicles, fingernails, and garments that might contain someone’s DNA, can also be tested. An Alternative Specimen DNA Test is done by ordering one of our testing kits online and shipping the specimens back to us.

Legal DNA Tests vs. “Peace of Mind” At-Home Tests

A Legal Paternity Test is a court admissible lab testing service performed at an AABB accredited laboratory. Accurate results for DNA paternity testing with 99.99% confidence or greater take about a week.

When deciding which type of DNA test is right for you, consider first what you might do with the results. A legal paternity DNA test will hold up in court for such matters as child support or to change the name on a birth certificate. This test must be performed using strict chain of custody procedures. Our Altoona DNA testing technicians are trained to follow these guidelines so that the results will be legally admissible.

How to schedule a DNA Test in Altoona IA

Scheduling a DNA test at one of our Altoona clinics is simple and fast, and we often have appointments available in the same week. It’s always helpful to schedule in advance to make sure you get the time you want. Please call our customer service team to help you book your appointment over the phone, or set up your appointment easily online.

We have state of the art testing labs and friendly clinics that perform the DNA sample collection in Altoona, plus many more locations throughout Iowa and across the United States. During registration, we’ll show you the nearest locations for DNA testing so you can choose the site that’s most convenient. You’ll also pick the times and days that you prefer.

Why Health Street

More than a Decade of Experience

Since 2010, Health Street has offered DNA tests in Altoona, the state of Altoona, Iowa, and throughout the nation.  Since our founding, we have focused on helping people obtain the DNA and paternity tests that they need, from Altoona to neighborhoods everywhere.

Commitment to Excellence

Our mission is to understand the DNA testing needs of our clients. We strive to provide the most accurate, fast, and conclusive paternity tests in Altoona. 

Altoona, IA – DNA Testing

The Importance of Paternity Affidavits in Altoona, IA

Altoona parents who are not married at the time of their child’s birth should understand the importance of a paternity affidavit. Completing a paternity affidavit through the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics will declare a child’s legal and biological father, thus granting him parental rights and allowing his name to be placed on the child’s birth certificate.

Iowa requests the completion of a paternity affidavit if either parent wishes to request monthly child support services from a non-custodial parent. While there is no timeframe in Iowa to establish paternity, it’s important to promptly complete the process after the birth of a child to secure these services as soon as possible. If there is any sort of uncertainty regarding a child’s paternity, be sure to also use DNA to confirm the biological father before moving forward with establishing paternity.

Assistance Establishing Paternity in Altoona, IA

If a parent challenges a paternity claim and refuses to navigate the steps of establishing paternity, including DNA testing or signing a paternity affidavit, then the parent seeking the establishment must file a petition in Polk County Family Court. A Polk County judge can issue a court summons to require the mother, child, and presumed father to undergo DNA testing to accurately identify the biological father. If the father is identified through testing, paternity can be established, granting the father paternal rights and responsibilities.

Disestablishing Paternity in Altoona, IA

Without the use of DNA paternity testing, an Altoona man who has already been declared a child’s legal father may learn later on that he’s potentially not the child’s biological father. To rescind a paternity affidavit in the state of Iowa, a parent will need to file an affidavit recession form and submit it to the State Registrar within 60 days of the affidavit’s original filing.

After this 60-day mark, an Altoona parent must seek assistance from Polk County Family Court to cancel the paternity affidavit and any accompanying child support agreements. When challenging a paternity affidavit in court, a Polk County judge will likely request the use of DNA paternity testing to verify the given claim and cancel child support obligations tied to the non-biological father.

Last updated 8/28/2023

Neighborhoods in Altoona Served by our Clinics

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Adventureland Estates
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Altoona Estates
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Ballagh Heights
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Cedar Creek
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Drakelys Place
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Eshelman Acres
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Falcon Ridge Village
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Greenway
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Hilltop Place
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Ironwood
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Josephs Acres
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Meadowlark Place
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Rosecrest Acres
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Venbury
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Wallings Haven
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Wayside Acres

Additional Services

We also offer other services, such as:

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Iowa Background Check for Employers in Altoona, IA

Citations

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“What is a Paternity by Affidavit?” Iowa Department of Human Services, https://secureapp.dhs.state.ia.us/customerweb/resources/General%20Info/Paternity%20Affidavit
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“Polk.” Iowa Judicial Branch, https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/district/5/county/polk
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“Paternity and Child Support Notices.” Iowa Legal Aid, https://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/paternity-and-child-support-notices
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“Disestablishment of Paternity.” Iowa Department of Human Services, https://hhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/10-D.pdf
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“Altoona, IA Neighborhoods, Subdivisions, and Developments.” Remax Central, https://www.remax-central.com/desmoines/realestatehomesforsale/subdivisions-altoona-ia