DNA Test - Houston, TX
Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in Houston, Texas at 19 testing laboratories. Call (281) 612-6482 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 - Houston, Texas
Types of DNA Tests at our Houston, Texas 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 Houston DNA testing technicians are trained to follow these guidelines so that the results will be legally admissible.
How to schedule a DNA Test in Houston TX
Scheduling a DNA test at one of our Houston 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 Houston, plus many more locations throughout Texas 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. The first DNA test we performed in Houston, TX was in 2015.Since then, we have done 66 DNA tests at our Houston facilities.
Dedicated to Excellence
We are proud to help families and individuals get DNA testing in Houston.
Houston, Texas - DNA Testing
Establishing paternity in Houston, Texas
There are two main ways of establishing paternity in Houston, Texas when the child's mother is not married to the father. They can apply for services with the Office of Attorney General and go through a child support review process, resulting in a paternity petition or an agreed order. If both parents agree on the paternity, they can ask for a DNA test and sign an agreed order. In this case, it is not necessary to appear in court.
If the parents disagree, a paternity petition can be filed in court. This petition will ask the court to decide on paternity. Usually, the court orders a DNA paternity test. The DNA test is a simple but accurate method of identifying a man as a biological father.
Once paternity is established, child support, medical support, conservatorship, or a possession order can be addressed accordingly.
Seeking Child Support Services in Houston, Texas
Child support is supposed to be paid by one parent to the other to provide for the child's needs. These could be food, clothing, daycare, school supplies, or money for other activities. Based on Texas Family Code, child support depends on the noncustodial parent's net resources and the number of children they support.
The Child Support Division is responsible for collecting and disbursing support payments in Texas. There are multiple ways for parents to receive or pay child support - such as credit or debit cards, pay by mail, cash, bank auto-draft, etc.
Challenging paternity in Houston, TX
Under Texas law, when a child is born or conceived while the mother and father are married, the husband is presumed to be the legal and actual father. Of course, there may be cases when a paternity suit could be brought up by another man who believes he is the biological father. In that case, he will have to establish his paternity, usually with a DNA test.
A husband can also contest the paternity, but success in these cases requires overcoming a legal presumption of fatherhood.
Last updated 6/10/2022
Locations
Clinic Hours for DNA Testing in Houston, Texas
5420 Dashwood Drive Ste 205 Houston, TX 77081Neighborhoods In and Around Houston That We Serve
Additional Services
Health Street offers a variety of other services, including: