DNA Test - North Charleston, SC

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Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in North Charleston, South Carolina at 3 testing laboratories. Call (843) 285-6782 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 Testing in North Charleston, South Carolina

North Charleston SC DNA Testing Locations

Types of DNA Tests at our North Charleston SC 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 North Charleston DNA testing technicians are trained to follow these guidelines so that the results will be legally admissible.

How to schedule a DNA Test in North Charleston SC

Scheduling a DNA test at one of our North Charleston 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 North Charleston, plus many more locations throughout South Carolina 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 North Charleston, SC was in 2020.

Commitment to Community

We take great pride in our dedication to the DNA testing needs of the people of North Charleston, South Carolina.

North Charleston, South Carolina - DNA Testing

Local DNA Stories

In May of 2021, two siblings, separated by adoption when they were children, were reunited again in North Charleston. Connie Shy was adopted at age 4, and her brother, Simington, was adopted at 18 months old. Simington wasn't aware that he had biological siblings but used DNA testing to learn about his birth parents. Shy also used DNA testing to learn about her family. After DNA testing, the two siblings could reunite in North Charleston and plan another reunion to meet more family members. While encouraging others to use DNA testing, Shy said, "Anybody who is looking for a lost relative, that is the way to go."

Experts Say...

Futeral & Nelson, law attorneys serving North Charleston, explain the rights of a father to a child born outside of marriage. "Unless the court orders otherwise, the custody of an illegitimate child is solely in the natural mother unless the mother has relinquished her rights to the child," the law firm states. "If paternity has been acknowledged or adjudicated, the father may petition the court for rights of visitation or custody in a proceeding before the court apart from an action to establish paternity."

Proving Paternity for Child Custody Purposes in North Charleston, SC

Establishing paternity benefits the mother, father, and child and allows the child to have relationships with both parents. Unmarried parents in North Charleston must establish paternity for the child to have a legal father. Paternity can be established voluntarily if both parents agree to sign a Paternity Acknowledgement Affidavit. However, if there is any doubt from either parent about paternity, the form should not be signed, and the parent should use DNA testing to determine paternity. If the parents cannot agree to establish paternity voluntarily, they can go to court, and DNA testing will likely be ordered. Without establishing paternity, the father has no rights to the child. Once paternity is established, the parents can seek visitation, custody, and child support orders.

Last updated 11/22/2022

Neighborhoods In and Around North Charleston That We Serve

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Ashley Village
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Brentwood
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Cedar Grove
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Coosaw
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Deer Park
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Hollow Oaks
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Jericho On The Ashley
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Lucille
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Midland Park
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Northpointe
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Otranto Villas
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Peppertree
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Rosemont
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Sandover/Dorchester
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The Elms Of Charleston
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University Park
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Whitehall
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Wildwood

Additional Services

Health Street offers a variety of other services, including:

Citations

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O'Brien, Abbey. "Two siblings reunite in North Charleston after 62 years apart." WBTV, 28 May 2021, https://www.wbtv.com/2021/05/28/two-siblings-reunite-north-charleston-after-years-apart/
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"What Are Fathers' Rights in South Carolina?" Futeral & Nelson, L.L.C., https://www.charlestonlaw.net/illegitimate-child-paternity-south-carolina/
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"Establishing Paternity." South Carolina Department of Social Services, https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/parents-families/establishing-paternity/
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"Establishing Paternity for Unmarried Parents. South Carolina Department of Social Services, https://dss.sc.gov/media/1253/est-pat-booklet-2014.pdf
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"North Charleston, SC." Nextdoor, https://nextdoor.com/city/north-charleston--sc/