DNA Test - Des Moines, IA
Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in Des Moines, Iowa at our centrally located testing laboratory. Call (515) 219-8995 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 - Des Moines, Iowa
Types of DNA Tests at our Des Moines, 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:
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 Des Moines DNA testing technicians are trained to follow these guidelines so that the results will be legally admissible.
How to schedule a DNA Test in Des Moines IA
Scheduling a DNA test at one of our Des Moines 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 Des Moines, 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
A Decade Plus of Experience
Health Street has provided DNA tests since 2010. We have provided DNA tests and paternity tests to thousands of people in Des Moines as well as communities all across the nation.
Dedicated to Excellence
We are proud to help families and individuals get DNA testing in Des Moines.
Des Moines, Iowa - DNA Testing
Proving Paternity For Child Custody Purposes in Des Moines, IA
Unmarried parents in Des Moines must establish paternity for the child to have a legal father. Establishing paternity allows the child to receive child support, a sense of identity, insurance, and medical histories from both sides of the family. Paternity is also important for the father to obtain visitation and custody rights.
Establishing paternity in Des Moines, IA, can be done voluntarily by signing a Paternity Affidavit through the Department of Health. Parents may sign the affidavit when the child is born or any time after birth.
If the mother or alleged father will not sign the paternity affidavit, paternity can be established by going to court, and the court may order DNA testing to prove paternity. Either party involved may also request DNA testing. If the DNA test results show at least a 95 percent probability that the man is the child's biological father, he's presumed to be the child's legal father.
Experts Say...
Kevin O'Flaherty of O'Flaherty Law, serving Des Moines, explains why it's important to establish paternity. "Establishing paternity has several benefits for the father, mother, and child," he said. "In the state of Iowa, both the father and mother have legal and financial obligations to pay child support, maintain medical insurance, and pay for educational costs and medical expenses." O'Flaherty explained that enforcing these benefits would be difficult without established paternity. Paternity also allows the father to pursue visitation and custody rights.
At-Home DNA Testing vs. Certified Lab Testing
At-home DNA testing can be useful for obtaining personal information but cannot be used as evidence in court. Des Moines residents involved in a child support or custody case should keep in mind that the court requires valid specimen collections and reliable test results through certified laboratories.
Last updated 8/25/2022
Locations
Some Des Moines Neighborhoods That We Serve
Additional Services
Health Street offers a variety of other services, including: