 
1. How much does the DNA Paternity test cost?
2. When does payment need to be made?
3. When can I make a booking?
4. Who needs to be tested?
5. Can I test without the mother’s permission?
6. Can a child consent for the test?
7. Can the test be done if the putative father is deceased?
8. Does everyone need to come together?
9. What type of sample is required?
10. How old does the child need to be?
11. Can the test be done before the child is born?
12. Will it hurt?
13. Do all samples need to be taken on the same day?
14 Where can samples be taken?
15. Can a sample be taken overseas?
16. What identification is needed?
17. How long before the result is released?
18. Who receives the result?
19. How accurate is the test?
20. Can I have my sample destroyed at the end of the test?
21. How much does a retest cost?
22. Are new samples required from the mother and child for a retest with a new putative father?
23. Is there a cancellation fee?
24. Will alcohol or drugs affect the DNA profile?
1. How much does the DNA Paternity test cost?
The standard test costs $1125.00 (GST inclusive). This cost covers collection of samples from anywhere in New Zealand, transport of the samples to DNA Diagnostics, processing the case and release of a written report. Additional samples processed at the same time cost $281.25 (GST inclusive).
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2. When does payment need to be made?
Payment for private cases must be made when samples are taken. A cheque can accompany the samples to DNA Diagnostics. Card facilities are available at some collection rooms. Processing will not proceed unless full payment is received. Parties should decide between themselves what proportion of the full amount each will pay. We do not allow discounts or time payments.
Payment for cases referred through a lawyer must be made within 6 months of the lawyer’s guarantee of payment. Processing will not proceed unless full payment is guaranteed.
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3. When can I make a booking?
Bookings can be made in Auckland by phoning DNA Diagnostics. There is no waiting list and a booking can usually be made within one or two days.
Appointments can be made outside of Auckland by contacting the local laboratory. Refer to the list of collection centres.
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4. Who needs to be tested?
The putative father and the child must be tested and it is preferable to test the mother as well. The result is more conclusive when the mother’s sample is analysed. If the mother is not willing to be tested she needs to complete an affidavit to confirm her identity, and consent for the child’s sample to be used, if the child is under 16 years of age. Download a consent form in Adobe format.
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5. Can I test without the mother’s permission?
We require the mother’s consent for the child to be tested, if the child is under 16 years of age and if the mother is still a legal guardian of the child. If the mother’s guardianship has been legally transferred to another person, that person must provide consent and proof that they are the child’s guardian.
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6. Can a child consent for the test?
Any child of the age 16 and over is able to consent for the paternity analysis.
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7. Can the test be done if the putative father is deceased?
If there is a sample available from the deceased putative father the test maybe possible, with permission for the use of the sample from the next of kin or person with the power of attorney. The types of samples that have been used to date are a blood sample or tissue sample taken at death, tissue existing from a histological sample obtained prior to death.
The biological parents of the deceased putative father can substitute for the putative father. An analysis substituting the deceased putative father’s sibling is unlikely to provide a strong result.
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8. Does everyone need to come together?
Separate appointments can be made, if required. When appointments are separate identification must be provided. A recent true likeness photograph must be provided for every person having a sample taken. The photographs are retained on file. Additional photographic identification such as a passport or driver licence is helpful, although not essential.
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9. What type of sample is required?
We require a very small blood sample or a mouth swab sample from each person for testing to be carried out.
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10. How old does the child need to be?
There is no minimum age for the child. Arrangements can be made for a cord blood sample to be taken at birth, if it is known that paternity analysis will be required.
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11. Can the test be done before the child is born?
The test can be done technically using either chorionic villi or an amniotic fluid sample. These samples must be taken by a medical specialist who will need to authorise the paternity analysis. The cost for taking chorionic villi or amniotic fluid samples is additional to the cost of the paternity analysis.
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12. Will it hurt?
There is minimal discomfort from the small prick necessary to obtain the blood sample. A mouth swab sample causes no discomfort.
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13. Do all samples need to be taken on the same day?
Samples can be taken on different days. We will extract the DNA from the sample(s) received and store the DNA until all samples are received and processing can continue.
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14. Where can samples be taken?
Samples can be taken at the larger Diagnostic Medlab collection rooms around Auckland. Samples can be taken thoughout New Zealand at Medical Laboratory collecting centres and hospital laboratories. Refer to the list of collection centres.
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15. Can a sample be taken overseas?
Samples can be taken overseas. We need to be provided with contact details for the overseas laboratory, which is usually a laboratory nominated by the overseas person whose sample is to be taken. In particular we need the name of the contact person, the laboratory address, phone number and fax numbers, an email address is helpful, if available. Download an overseas collect form in Adobe format.
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16. What identification is needed?
Parties presenting together can identify each other. Parties presenting separately can be identified by their solicitor, or bring photographic identification. A recent true likeness photograph, preferably passport style, is required as photographic identification. The photograph is certified by the sample collector as a true likeness of the person from whom the sample is drawn and is retained on file. Passport or driving licence should be provided, if available, but are not suitable as the only photographic identification.
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17. How long before the result is released?
The result is released within 3 weeks of receipt of all samples and full payment or a guarantee of full payment.
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18. Who receives the result?
The company policy is that all participants have a right to the result. Thus, we will not allow one party to deny access of the other party to the result, regardless of who has paid for the test. The result is mailed to the parties concerned or their nominated representative.
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19. How accurate is the test?
The DNA paternity test is extremely accurate and can exclude a putative father from paternity. The paternity index value provides the level of certainty for the test when the putative father cannot be excluded from paternity. We aim to achieve a paternity index value of 10,000 or better, meaning that the evidence is 10,000 times more likely if the putative father is the biological father than if a man unrelated to the putative father is the biological father.
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20. Can I have my sample destroyed at the end of the test?
We destroy the sample at the end of the test if we receive a special request to do so. A note will be attached to the final report to indicate that the sample will be destroyed in one month unless instructions to the contrary are received.
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21. How much does a retest cost?
A retest with a new putative father is $725.00 (GST inclusive). This amount must be paid when the second putative father provides a sample or the lawyer(s) must guarantee the payment.
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22. Are new samples required from the mother and child for a retest with a new putative father?
We can reuse samples taken from the mother and child from the first test in a second test with a new putative father. The mother must provide a formal consent for the reuse of her sample and that from the child. A form will be provided upon request to DNA Diagnostics. Alternatively you can download a form for re-testing with a new possible father or mother and child. Forms are in Adobe format.
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23. Is there a cancellation fee?
A cancellation fee applies only when one or more samples have been taken. A fee of $180.00 (GST inclusive) is charged when one or two samples have been received and then the test is cancelled and $258.00 (GST inclusive) when all three samples have been received and then the test is cancelled.
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24. Will alcohol or drugs affect the DNA profile?
The DNA profile will not be affected by alcohol or drugs.
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