HOW IT WORKS
Choose How You Test
Quick cheek swab
Results 3-5 days
What Is a Personal Paternity Test?
A personal paternity test is a simple cheek swab that confirms whether a man is a child's biological father.
It's also called a private or nonlegal paternity test because it skips the formal ID checks, photos, and court paperwork.
The DNA science and accuracy are identical to a legal test—only the collection differs, which keeps it private, simpler, and lower in cost.
You can walk into our Mesa lab on E. University Drive and have our staff collect your sample in about 15 minutes, or take a kit home and collect it yourself—whichever is more comfortable for you.
Because there's no chain of custody, the results are for your personal knowledge only and can't be used legally.
Your test results are available in 3-5 days or can be expedited.
Two Ways to Test
How a Personal Paternity Test Works
Every paternity test answers one question: Is this man the biological father?
A cheek swab collects cells from inside the cheek, which carry a full set of DNA. A child inherits half of their DNA from each biological parent, so the lab compares genetic markers between the child's sample and the man's.
When enough markers match, paternity is confirmed with over 99.9% accuracy. In cases where they don't, he is ruled out with 100% certainty.
Every sample — whether collected at our lab or at home — is processed by the same AABB-accredited reference laboratory.
The science and accuracy are identical to a legal test; a personal test simply skips the ID verification and chain-of-custody, which is what keeps it private and more affordable.
Who Gets a Personal Paternity Test?
-
Personal confirmation: You simply want to know the truth for yourself, with no court case involved.
-
Parents and grandparents: Seeking answers without pursuing any legal action.
-
Partners and spouses: Looking for a private answer to a personal question.
-
Adult children: Confirming a biological father or family relationship.
-
Before legal testing: Getting the answer first, then deciding whether a formal legal test is needed.
Personal Paternity Test FAQ
Do I need an appointment for a paternity test? No—you can walk in Monday through Friday or test at home on your own schedule.
How accurate is a personal paternity test? Very — it confirms paternity with over 99.9% accuracy and rules it out with 100% certainty. The science is identical to a legal test; only the collection process is different.
Can I use these results in court later? No. Because a personal test skips the ID check and chain-of-custody, a court won't accept it — you would need a separate legal test. If there's any chance you'll need results for court, start with the legal test.