If you are a father who wishes to establish paternity through DNA testing, it is important to understand how the process works. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, DNA tests do not require the use of needles or blood. Instead, DNA tests (also known as genetic tests) involve the collection of skin cells from inside your mouth.
Whether you wish to have paternity established because you are pursuing visitation rights or have been ordered by the court to take a test, you should know what to expect. First, you must appear at your DNA test appointment, along with your child and his or her mother. All parties must have a picture ID, although your child may present a Social Security card or birth certificate if they don’t have a picture ID (Florida requires identification to ensure that genetic tests are conducted on the right people). Next, pictures will be taken of you and your child, which will be delivered to the laboratory along with your samples.
To extract DNA, a cotton swab will be rubbed on the inside of your mouth, while the person who brought your child to the appointment will rub a swab on the inside of your child’s mouth. After the samples are collected, they are sealed and delivered to the laboratory. Once the laboratory receives the samples, they will compare your DNA with the DNA of the child and his or her mother. Typically, it takes about three weeks for the laboratory to send the results back, at which point they will be mailed to you and your child’s mother.
