If you decide to go for paternity testing for your own peace of mind, then you will not need to attend a clinic. Test kits can be purchased online and the samples posted to the laboratory. The results will then be posted back to you within a few days, or you can access them online via a password supplied. Although these tests are quick and easy, it should be noted that the results of this kind of test are not legally binding and cannot be used in court to dispute maintenance or access rights.
Costs and value for money
The average price for peace of mind paternity testing is £200 - £300, although budget tests can be found for less than half of that. While it may be tempting to save a few pounds with a budget test, this is not advisable. Given the magnitude of the issue, it is simply not worth the risk of receiving an inaccurate result. Shopping around on the internet will give you an idea of the average charge, and anything that is much less than this should be avoided.
Whatever price you pay, you should ensure that the lab is ISO 17025 accredited and conforms to the Code of Practice set out by the Department of Health.
Legally binding paternity testing
For a test to be legally binding, it must be undertaken by a registered laboratory, with samples either taken at the lab or by a responsible person, such as your GP. In either case, you will need to provide evidence of identity before the test can be undertaken.
This kind of paternity testing is not necessarily more accurate than peace of mind tests, however the way in which the samples are collected means the results are guaranteed to be authentic. Legally binding tests will cost a little more – generally £300 - £400.