DNA Test - El Paso, TX

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Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in El Paso, Texas at 17 testing laboratories. Call (915) 247-0680 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 - El Paso, Texas

El Paso TX DNA Testing Locations

Paternity Testing in El Paso, Texas

There are several types of DNA testing services that are offered at our El Paso testing centers to validate close family relationships. The most commonly ordered DNA test is a legal paternity test to conclusively establish whether or not a man is the biological father of a child. Health Street's 21 marker DNA paternity testing is the state of the art. Our paternity test results are statistically conclusive at the rate of 99.9% or greater.

Other DNA Tests

Relationship Tests to validate grandparent to grandchild, siblings, half-siblings, aunts, and uncles:

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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)

DNA tests such as sibling or avuncular studies, can sometimes come back with a result of less than 95% certainty. This is normal, especially if only two parties participate in the test. Adding an additional close relative to the test helps us learn more about the family's DNA composition and typically leads to a more conclusive result.

Specimens we can test for DNA

The easiest and most reliable way to perform a genetic sample collection for a paternity test is by a swab of the inner cheeks. These skin cells, known as buccal cells, rub off easily onto cotton swabs and remain in place, to be extracted by our testing laboratories for analysis.

Other specimens, such as hair follicles, fingernails, and garments that might contain someone's DNA, can also undergo lab testing to see if there is a match. These non-standard DNA tests are done by registering online for an Alternative Specimen DNA Test (Nails, Teeth, Fabric). Once registered, you ship the DNA sample to our lab. We'll attempt to extract the DNA and compare it to a cheek swab of the other party.

Legal DNA Tests vs. "Peace of Mind" At-Home Tests

When deciding which type of DNA test is right for you, consider first what you might do with the results. In order for the results to hold up in court, the DNA specimen must be collected at a clinic using strict chain of custody procedures. The DNA testing technicians at our El Paso test centers are trained to follow guidelines that ensure that the results can be used for legal purposes.

The results of our legal DNA tests can be used for any legal purpose:

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to change the name on a birth certificate
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to petition for child support
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to petition for survivor benefits
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for child custody arrangements
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to alter inheritance procedures or wills

Home tests offer more flexibility:

Home DNA tests are specimens containing DNA (or possible DNA) that are shipped to us for analysis. The results of these home tests cannot be used in court (since there is no way to prove whose specimens were actually sent). However, the tests are just as accurate and can provide peace of mind. At-home DNA tests also offer a lot more flexibility.

In addition to commonly mailed in DNA specimens like hair follicles, we can also extract DNA from other bodily fluids. We can even try and lift the DNA left on items like clothing, a toothbrush, or a straw. If we can get the DNA from the alternative item, we can then compare it to another person to see if they are related. Some examples include:

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Q-tips
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Stained garments
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Mucus and other bodily fluids
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Soda cans
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Chewing gum

How to schedule a DNA Test in El Paso TX

Scheduling a DNA test at one of our El Paso clinics is simple and fast, and we often have appointments available in the same week, though it's always helpful to schedule in advance to make sure you get the time you want. We have clinics in El Paso, plus many more throughout Texas and across the United States. During registration, we'll show you the nearest locations so you can choose the one that's most convenient. You'll pick the times and days that you prefer.

You can set up separate appointments for each of the people being tested, either at the same location or at different locations. You'll get an email and text message with your appointment information. There is no fee if you need to change the time or location of a DNA test appointment at any time.

How long it takes to get results of a DNA test

Paternity tests conducted at one of our El Paso facilities typically take about a week to come back. Other relationship tests, such as sibling studies, can take a few days longer to come back. When the results are ready, you are notified immediately via email. Then, the hard copies of the paperwork are sent afterward via regular mail.

The DNA test appointment - what to expect and what to bring

The appointment itself only takes about 15 minutes. The specimen collection process is a simple and painless cheek swab. No needles are used. When you're being tested at our El Paso clinic, you'll be asked to provide fingerprints and to show photo identification. We'll also take pictures of the people being tested so that the final report will include legal assurances of who was actually tested.

For infants, hospital discharge papers qualify as identification. Otherwise, a birth certificate or social security card can be used as ID for a child. No other preparations are required for this appointment.

Does the mother need to be present at a paternity test?

If a man is considered the legal father of a child, then the mother does not have to be present or give consent for paternity testing. However, if he is not currently considered the legal father, then he cannot sign for the child. Therefore, the mother does need to be there. If neither parent is available, other legal guardians can bring the child so long as they have the right to make medical decisions on the child's behalf.

DNA testing if one party is not in El Paso

The two parties testing (for example: father and child) do not have to be tested at the same time or even at the same location. We have many clinics across Texas as well as nationwide, so we can test one party in El Paso and the other party anywhere else in the USA. The specimens are then matched up in the lab for analysis.

Laboratory certifications

Health Street works strictly with AABB Certified labs for DNA testing. All specimens that are collected in El Paso or elsewhere are shipped securely from our testing locations to a nationally certified laboratory.

Why Health Street

More than a Decade of Experience

Since 2010, Health Street has offered DNA tests in El Paso, the state of El Paso, Texas, and throughout the nation.  The first DNA test that Health Street provided in El Paso, TX was in 2018.

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 El Paso. 

El Paso, Texas - DNA Testing

Establishing paternity in El Paso, TX

There are three basic ways of establishing paternity in El Paso. The husband is presumed to be the father if the couple is married when the child is born. If the couple is not married when the child is born, they must sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) or the court can establish paternity.

Once the paternity is established, the child's biological father becomes their legal father, which means he will have all the rights and duties of a parent. These can include child support, visiting time, or custody.

There are some exceptions for when the AOP form won't be valid. If the child's mother is married to somebody else when the child is born, then her husband is presumed to be the father. An AOP form cannot be used to establish paternity in this situation since somebody else is already acknowledged as the child's father. In this case, a petition can be filed to the court, and then the alleged biological father can undergo a DNA test to establish himself as the biological father.

El Paso, TX: Challenging paternity

There may be some cases when the mother is married to someone who is not the father, or when the father knows he is not the biological father. In this situation, a section in the AOP form called "Denial of Paternity" must be filed by both the mother and the presumed father to be valid.

As previously mentioned, a petition can be filed to let the court determine paternity based on DNA testing. The child and the presumed father usually take the DNA tests, but other options are available if the father is not available for DNA testing. After the court receives the DNA test results, the judge will decide who the birth father is.

Local DNA Stories in El Paso

Attempting to prove U.S. citizenship, a man accused of multiple types of fraud and convicted in Washington State conducted one of the most bizarre attempted paternity frauds ever documented.

Michael Peter Spitzauer, sentenced to over 6 years in federal prison in 2018 for multiple financial and fraud-related crimes, was ordered back to prison in 2019 for aggravated identity theft. Spitzauer legally changed his name to Michael Peter Scott Spitzauer McCune to try to claim U.S. citizenship and reduce penalties for his many crimes.

Spitzauer and a female accomplice falsified a DNA test and concocted an elaborate cover story about an El Paso father, James McCune, who had searched for years to find his lost son. The falsified test purported to show that Spitzaeur, an Austrian immigrant, was McCune's son. Spitzauer was charged with aggravated identity theft because in addition to falsifying the DNA test by using his biological son's DNA and his own DNA purporting to be McCune's, he stole the identity of an El Paso, Texas baby, Michael S. McCune, born in 1967. The real baby born in El Paso, Michael S. McCune, only lived for less than 24 hours.

Last updated 6/24/2022

Locations

Clinic Hours for DNA Testing in El Paso, Texas

10555 Vista Del Sol Drive Suite 110 El Paso, TX 79925
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMT: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMW: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMTh: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMF: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM About this Location: Del Valle High School, a well-regarded educational institution, is located not far from our location. It's known for its strong academics and athletics programs.
1700 Cliff Drive El Paso, TX 79902
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PMT: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PMW: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PMTh: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PMF: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM About this Location: El Paso High School, located not far from our location, is a historic educational institution. It's known for its distinctive architecture, resembling a Greek amphitheater, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
7420 Remcon Circle El Paso, TX 79912
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM(M Lunch: 11:30-1 PM)T: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM(T Lunch: 11:30-1 PM)W: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM(W Lunch: 11:30-1 PM)Th: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM(Th Lunch: 11:30-1 PM)F: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM(F Lunch: 11:30-1 PM) About this Location: Don Haskins Center, located at the University of Texas at El Paso, is a renowned arena that hosts a variety of sports events and concerts close to our location.
5900 N Mesa Street El Paso, TX 79912
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM(M Lunch: 11-12 PM)T: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM(T Lunch: 11-12 PM)W: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM(W Lunch: 11-12 PM)Th: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM(Th Lunch: 11-12 PM)F: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM(F Lunch: 11-12 PM) About this Location: Don Haskins Center, a renowned sports and entertainment venue, is located nearby. It's home to the UTEP Miners basketball team and hosts a variety of concerts and events throughout the year.
890 N Resler Drive El Paso, TX 79912
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(M Lunch: 11-12 PM)T: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(T Lunch: 11-12 PM)W: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(W Lunch: 11-12 PM)Th: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(Th Lunch: 11-12 PM)F: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(F Lunch: 11-12 PM) About this Location: Resler Canyon, located close to our location, is a natural preserve area that offers beautiful desert landscapes and hiking trails.
1100 Geronimo Drive El Paso, TX 79925
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(M Lunch: 11-12 PM)T: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(T Lunch: 11-12 PM)W: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(W Lunch: 11-12 PM)Th: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(Th Lunch: 11-12 PM)F: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(F Lunch: 11-12 PM) About this Location: Burges High School, a public secondary school, is situated close to our location. Known for its strong academic and athletic programs, the school is a central part of the community.
9428 Dyer Street El Paso, TX 79924
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(M Lunch: 11-12 PM)T: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(T Lunch: 11-12 PM)W: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(W Lunch: 11-12 PM)Th: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(Th Lunch: 11-12 PM)F: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(F Lunch: 11-12 PM) About this Location: Nations Tobin Park is a popular outdoor area near our location. It features a swimming pool, sports fields, and a playground, making it a favorite spot for families and sports enthusiasts.
1607 N Zaragoza Road El Paso, TX 79936
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(M Lunch: 11-12 PM)T: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(T Lunch: 11-12 PM)W: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(W Lunch: 11-12 PM)Th: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(Th Lunch: 11-12 PM)F: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(F Lunch: 11-12 PM) About this Location: Marty Robbins Park, a public park named after the famous country singer, is a short distance from our location. It features a large playground, sports fields, and a walking trail.
12390 Edgemere Blvd El Paso, TX 79938
Pre-registration required,Walk-in with barcode:

M: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(M Lunch: 11-12 PM)T: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(T Lunch: 11-12 PM)W: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(W Lunch: 11-12 PM)Th: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(Th Lunch: 11-12 PM)F: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM(F Lunch: 11-12 PM) About this Location: Eastwood Park, also known as Album Park, is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It features a playground, a walking trail, and a dog park, making it a great place for families and pet owners near our location.

Neighborhoods In and Around El Paso That We Serve

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Pico Norte
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Resler Canyon
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Montoya Heights
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Alfalfa
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Delgado Park
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Loma Terrace
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Sageland
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Mesa Hills
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Pendale

Additional Services

Health Street offers a variety of other services, including:

Citations

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Acknowledgment of paternity and denial of paternity. Acknowledgment of Paternity and Denial of Paternity | Texas Law Help. (2021, December 30). Retrieved June 24, 2022, from https://texaslawhelp.org/article/acknowledgment-of-paternity-and-denial-of-paternity
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Acknowledgment of paternity (AOP). Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) | Office of the Attorney General. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2022, from https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support/paternity/acknowledgment-paternity-aop