DNA Testing in Bethesda, MD
Health Street offers DNA testing, legal paternity tests, and sibling DNA tests in Bethesda, Maryland at a centrally located testing laboratory. Register now, or call us at (301) 298-3997 or schedule online. with any questions. Our paternity testing (including grandparent DNA tests, avuncular (aunt or uncle) testing, and postmortem DNA testing) determines if two or more people are related.
Schedule your Bethesda DNA test appointment online. Our legal DNA test results can be used in court for matters such as: child support, birth certificates, and custody cases. Appointments can be scheduled together or separately. Legal DNA tests are done by cheek swab at our testing centers. We also offer home DNA test kits for peace of mind. DNA can be tested from hair, fingernails, and other specimens.
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DNA Test - Bethesda, Maryland
Types of DNA Tests at our Bethesda, Maryland locations:
The most commonly ordered DNA test is a Paternity Test to conclusively establish whether or not a man is the biological father of a child.
Paternity Testing can be performed at our testing centers. DNA Testing can be done for other close family relationships, such as:
Specimens we can test for DNA
The easiest and most reliable way to obtain a DNA sample for paternity testing is to swab the inner cheeks of the people being tested. These skin cells are known as buccal cells, and they rub off easily onto cotton swabs and remain in place for analysis by our laboratory. Other specimen samples, such as hair follicles, fingernails, and garments that might contain someone's DNA, can also be tested. An Alternative Specimen DNA Test is done by registering online and shipping the specimens to us.
Legally Admissible DNA Tests vs. "Peace of Mind" At-Home Tests
A Legal Paternity Test is a court admissible DNA testing service. Accurate results for DNA paternity testing with 99.99% confidence or greater take about a week.
When deciding which type of DNA test is right for you, consider first what you might do with the results. In order for the results of a DNA test to hold up in court, for child support, or to change the name on a birth certificate, the test must be done at a clinic using strict chain of custody procedures. Our Bethesda DNA testing technicians are trained to follow guidelines that ensure that the results can be used for legal purposes.
How to schedule a DNA Test in Bethesda MD
Scheduling a DNA test at one of our Bethesda clinics is simple and fast, and we often have appointments available in the same week. It's always helpful to schedule in advance to make sure you get the time you want. Register online, or please call our customer service team, which can help you book your appointment over the phone.
We have state of the art testing labs and friendly clinics that perform the DNA sample collection in Bethesda, plus many more locations throughout Maryland and all across the United States. Not every one of our clinics performs paternity testing in Bethesda. We'll show you the nearest locations to get a DNA test in Bethesda , MD so you can choose the testing center that is most convenient. When you register, you can also pick the appointment time and date that you prefer.
Why Health Street
Over a Decade of Experience
Health Street has been performing DNA testing nationally since 2010. The first DNA test in Bethesda, MD performed by Health Street was in 2017.
Dedication to Excellence
Our dedication to excellence includes our commitment to provide compassionate services and to helping people obtain the accurate DNA testing in Bethesda that they need.
DNA Testing Information for Bethesda MD
Bethesda Expert Weighs in on Impact of DNA Testing and Adoption
Varda Makovsky, a clinical social worker and director of post-adoption services at the Barker Adoption Foundation in Bethesda, notes that in the past two years she has seen a spike in DNA tests among adoptees and the parents that gave them up. While the reunions that result often have happy endings, Makovsky also notes that it creates an emotional roller coaster for all parties involved.
For some, it feels invasive. Many parents who were promised anonymity when they gave their children up are now being contacted by adult children who found them through DNA testing. For many adopted children, though, the experience is both positive and life-changing, creating a unique opportunity to finally learn where they came from.
Establishing Paternity in Bethesda Maryland
In Bethesda and the rest of the state of Maryland, there are three ways for unmarried parents to establish paternity. The first is known as marital presumption. Under Maryland law, if the mother is married at the time a child is conceived or born, the husband is presumed to be the child's legal father. In this case, no additional action is required.
If unmarried parents both agree about a child's paternity, they can legally establish it by completing an affidavit of parentage at the time the baby is born. Otherwise, paternity is established with a court order. If the paternity is in question, this will often also require a DNA paternity test.
Why Establish Paternity? Important Benefits
Establishing paternity creates benefits for all parties involved. According to Bethesda attorney group McCabe Russel, once paternity is established, the child's father can request both visitation rights and full or partial custody. Confirming paternity also allows the child to receive benefits like Social Security, health insurance, life insurance, and veteran's benefits. In addition, the child will have the right to receive an inheritance and to file a wrongful death claim. After paternity is established, the mother and child can also begin to receive child support payments.
Locations
Some Bethesda Neighborhoods That We Serve
Additional Services
Health Street offers a variety of other services, including: