What happens after the court orders a paternity test?
After a court orders DNA paternity testing, the named parties (usually the alleged father, mother, and child) must arrange testing with an AABB-accredited laboratory. We coordinate directly with the court order, schedule each party's collection appointment, perform witnessed collection with chain-of-custody documentation, and deliver results to the court per the order's specifications.
How does court-ordered paternity testing work?
Call (866) 873-0879
We review your court order and confirm next steps. Send the order via secure upload or email.
Schedule each party
Each named party visits an AABB-accredited collection site. We coordinate scheduling across parties.
Identity verification
Government-issued photo ID is required at each collection. Identity is documented as part of the chain of custody.
Witnessed collection
A trained collector performs the buccal swab under direct observation and seals samples in tamper-evident packaging.
AABB lab analysis
Our AABB-accredited laboratory analyzes 20+ STR genetic markers to produce a statistical probability of paternity.
Delivery to court
Results are delivered per the court order's specifications: directly to the court, to attorneys, or to the parties with copies sent to the court.
Who pays for a court-ordered paternity test?
Cost responsibility for court-ordered paternity testing varies by jurisdiction and case type. The petitioner typically pays initially. In some jurisdictions, costs are split between parties, advanced by the court with reimbursement, or covered by state child support enforcement programs. Some states require the losing party to reimburse the winning party.
In child support enforcement cases, state agencies often advance the testing cost and recover it from the established father. In private custody disputes, the party requesting the test generally pays. Immigration-related court orders are usually petitioner-paid. Inheritance proceedings are estate-paid.
Some courts split costs evenly between named parties. Some require party-paid testing with reimbursement to the winning party. The order itself will specify, or your attorney can clarify.
Court-ordered vs. voluntary legal paternity testing.
Court-ordered vs voluntary
| Aspect | Court-ordered | Voluntary legal |
|---|---|---|
| Initiation | Court order | Party-initiated |
| Scheduling | Per court schedule | By appointment, your timeline |
| Results delivery | To the court | To the parties |
| Cost responsibility | Jurisdiction-determined | Party-paid |
| Use cases | Custody, child support, contested paternity | Pre-emptive legal documentation, attorney-driven evidence |
Questions about which option is right for you? (866) 873-0879.
Can the alleged father refuse a court-ordered paternity test?
Refusing a court-ordered paternity test typically has serious legal consequences, which vary by jurisdiction. Courts may issue contempt findings, default judgments establishing paternity, or adverse inferences against the refusing party. Some jurisdictions allow physical compulsion with proper legal process. The specific consequences depend on the case type, jurisdiction, and judge.
How long does court-ordered testing take?
Standard court-ordered paternity test results are available 1 to 3 business days after the laboratory receives all participants' samples. Rush 24-hour processing is available for urgent court deadlines for an additional fee. Scheduling each party's collection typically takes a few days, depending on the court's schedule.
Rapid Paternity Testing coordinates directly with U.S. family courts, attorneys, and ordered parties for court-ordered DNA paternity testing at all 2,500+ AABB-accredited collection sites nationwide.