DNA Test - New Bedford, MA

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Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in New Bedford, Massachusetts at a centrally located testing laboratory. Call (508) 252-0649 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 - New Bedford, Massachusetts

New Bedford MA DNA Testing Locations

Types of DNA Tests at our New Bedford, Massachusetts 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 New Bedford DNA testing technicians are trained to follow these guidelines so that the results will be legally admissible.

How to schedule a DNA Test in New Bedford MA

Scheduling a DNA test at one of our New Bedford 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 New Bedford, plus many more locations throughout Massachusetts 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

Over a Decade of Experience

Health Street has been performing DNA testing nationally since 2010.  We have helped thousands of people from New Bedford to communities all across the USA get DNA tests and paternity tests.

Dedication to Excellence

Our dedication to excellence includes our commitment to provide compassionate services and to helping people obtain the accurate DNA testing in New Bedford that they need. 

New Bedford, Massachusetts - DNA Testing

Establishing Paternity in New Bedford, MA

In New Bedford, MA, if a child is born to married parents, the husband is automatically the child's legal father. However, if a child is born outside of marriage, paternity must be established for a man to become the child's legal father. The easiest way for New Bedford parents to establish paternity is by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. However, parents should only sign the form if there is no doubt about paternity. If the parents question paternity, they should request DNA testing. If the mother and the alleged father cannot agree on paternity, they can go to court.

Proving Paternity for Child Custody Purposes in New Bedford, MA

In New Bedford, DNA testing is sometimes used to prove paternity before establishing paternity. Before two parents sign a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, either parent has the right to request DNA testing to ensure that the man is the father. If the mother and the alleged father go to court to establish paternity, the court will likely order DNA testing to show whether or not the man is the father. DNA tests are non-invasive and generally involve cheek swab samples from the child and father. Once a DNA test proves paternity, legal paternity can be established, and the parents can seek visitation, custody, and child support orders.

Experts Say...

New Bedford paternity lawyers, Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, explain that an unwed mother is the legal custodial parent until the father begins a custody action. "Until and unless the father brings a paternity or custody action against the mother, the father does not technically have a right to custody of the child," the lawyers explain. "Of course, parents can always agree as to parenting time for the child."

They explain that paternity cases for children born out of wedlock are started by the mother or father. According to the law firm, mothers sometimes begin paternity cases to obtain child support. "Typically, a father will bring the paternity case in order to establish that he is the legal father of a particular child so that he may request the court grant him custody and/or visitation (i.e., parenting time) with the child. Sometimes, a father will bring the paternity case in order to establish that he is not the legal father, and a DNA test will be procured."

Last updated 12/16/2022

Neighborhoods In and Around New Bedford That We Serve

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Arnold St
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Brooklawn Park
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Bullard St
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Buttonwood Park Area / Historic District
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Clarks Point
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Cove St
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Downtown
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Goulart Square
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Maple St - Cottage Ave
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North End
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North Rockdale
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South End
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South First St
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Upper River Mill
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Ward Six West
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West End

Additional Services

Health Street offers a variety of other services, including:

Citations

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"Massachusetts law about paternity (parentage)." Commonwealth of Massachusetts, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-paternity-parentage
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"Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage." GLAD Legal Advocates & Defenders, https://www.glad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Voluntary-Acknowledgment-of-Parentage-Universal-Mass2019.pdf
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"Paternity in Massachusetts." Cunnally Law Group, LLC, https://www.cunnallylawgroup.com/paternity.php
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"Section 3A: Establishment of paternity; genetic marker tests." Massachusetts Legislature, https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVII/Chapter119A/Section3A
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"Paternity Issues in Massachusetts - Establishing Paternity, Custody and Child Support, Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, https://www.massdivorceattorney.net/establishing-parent-child-relationships/
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"New Bedford, MA Real Estate & Demographic Data." Neighborhood Scout, https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ma/new-bedford
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"Neighborhood Groups." New Bedford MA, https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/community-development/neighborhood-programs/neighborhood-groups/
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"New Bedford's Neighborhoods." Destination New Bedford, https://destinationnewbedford.org/neighborhoods/