DNA Test - Merrillville, IN
Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in Merrillville, Indiana at 2 conveniently located testing laboratories. Call (219) 215-5169 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 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 - Merrillville, Indiana
Types of DNA Tests at our Merrillville, Indiana 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 Merrillville DNA testing technicians are trained to follow these guidelines so that the results will be legally admissible.
How to schedule a DNA Test in Merrillville IN
Scheduling a DNA test at one of our Merrillville 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 Merrillville, plus many more locations throughout Indiana 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 Merrillville, IN was in 2018.
Dedicated to Excellence
We are proud to help families and individuals get DNA testing in Merrillville.
Facts about DNA Testing in Merrillville IN
Helping Fathers in Merrillville
Geminus Regional Health Systems is a network of health care and social service providers, based in the community of Merrillville. Thanks to Geminus, help is at hand for fathers in Merrillville and Northwest Indiana with their Real Fathers Initiative.
This Merrillville-based facility aims to assist fathers to be more involved in the lives of their children. Geminus engages fathers and paternal family members through counseling and education, helping fathers to address paternity issues and providing assistance with DNA testing and the costs.
Merrillville fathers are also taught how to be great parents through the education program that Geminus provides. Fathers are taught parenting skills, how to prepare meals, help with school work and what it takes to be a good parent. Geminus advocates for dads and provides mentorship to those fathers in Merrillville who need support and guidance.
Paternity Laws in Merrillville
Matters of paternity in Merrillville are dealt with by the family court at the Lake County Juvenile Justice Complex. This department is part of the main Lake County Court complex in Crown Point, Indiana.
Robert A. Plantz is a Merrillville based paternity attorney who tells us that "if your child was born while you were not married to the other parent, you may have additional struggles and heartache, especially if the child's paternity is in question." If the other parent disputes paternity, the child may not have access to legal benefits, such as financial support, visitation time, the right to inherit and access to family medical history.
The law that covers Merrillville states that if you are married when a child is born, the husband is legally the father of the child. If unmarried, or the husband is unsure he is the biological father, then it becomes necessary to establish paternity. This is the legal process of recognizing the biological relationship between the father and child so that financial and other parental rights and liabilities are settled.
In Merrillville, the father can choose to submit a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity up to three days following the birth of a child. Alternatively, a paternity affidavit can be completed up until the age of emancipation, which in Merrillville is 19.
If the biological father is not willing to admit paternity and there's a dispute, a paternity action with the Lake County Juvenile Justice Complex will become necessary. The parents and child will need to submit samples for DNA testing to establish paternity.
Locations
Additional Services
Health Street offers a variety of other services, including: