Does the mother have to be tested in a home paternity test? Ideally, the mother, child, and alleged father would all participate in an at-home paternity test. If both parents who created the child contribute DNA to the test, the results will reflect the full picture of the child’s profile.
But is it required? No. In the majority of cases the mother does not have to be tested to get conclusive paternity test results. However, it can be helpful in certain scenarios.
Why testing the DNA of the mother may be helpful
A child receives half of their DNA from their mother, and the other half from their father. Because half the child’s DNA was received from the mother, the child will match half of the mother’s DNA exactly. The remaining unmatched DNA will match that of the biological father.
Without the ability to remove the mother’s DNA from the equation, the possibility increases that results will not be conclusive, which may require testing of additional genetic markers, extending the time and cost needed to achieve conclusive results. In cases where there are two potential fathers that share a biological relationship (for example, brothers), testing the mother is especially important. In general, if the mother is available for testing, she should be included.
DNA testing without the mother
Testing can be accurately performed without a sample from the mother. Using the same scenario as above, a child receives half their DNA from the biological father. If a test is run with only the alleged father and the child, one possible result is that the locations on a child’s DNA do not match the tested father. If enough locations on the father’s profile do not match that of the child, the test report is called an Exclusion, meaning there is no biological relationship between the man and child. Your report will specify the probability of paternity based on the genetic information provided.
If you’re a man considering a paternity test for yourself and a child, you can get accurate results without the mother being tested. It’s important to choose a lab you trust to provide you with these critical answers—and with one of the world’s most highly accredited laboratories behind our testing, HomePaternity is proud to be a reliable partner.