DNA & Paternity Testing - Lawrence, MA
Health Street provides DNA tests and legal paternity testing in Lawrence, Massachusetts at our centrally located testing laboratory. Call (978) 291-6330 or schedule online. We offer legal paternity tests, sibling studies, grandparent DNA tests, avuncular (aunt or uncle) testing, and postmortem DNA testing to determine if people are biologically related.
Set up DNA testing appointments online. Test results can be used in court for child support or to change a birth a certificate; it can also be used for simple peace of mind. Appointments can be scheduled together or separately. Legal DNA tests are done by cheek swab at our testing centers. We can also extract DNA samples from hair follicles, fingernails, and other specimens.
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DNA Test - Lawrence, Massachusetts
Types of DNA Tests at our Lawrence, Massachusetts 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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence MA
Scheduling a DNA test at one of our Lawrence 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 Lawrence, plus many more locations throughout Massachusetts and all across the United States. Not every one of our clinics performs paternity testing in Lawrence. We'll show you the nearest locations to get a DNA test in Lawrence , MA 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
More than a Decade of Experience
Since 2010, Health Street has offered DNA tests in Lawrence, the state of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and throughout the nation. Since our founding, we have focused on helping people obtain the DNA and paternity tests that they need, from Lawrence to neighborhoods everywhere.
Commitment to Excellence
Our mission is to understand the DNA testing needs of our clients. We strive to provide the most accurate, fast, and conclusive paternity tests in Lawrence.
Lawrence, Massachusetts - DNA Testing
Massachusetts Presumption of Paternity
When a married couple has a child in Massachusetts, there's no need to establish paternity. According to Lawrence Family Law Attorneys at DiFruscia Law Offices, the man a woman is married to when a child is born is automatically deemed to be the child's legal father. However, if a couple is living together but not legally married, this rule does not apply. In this case, steps must be taken to establish legal paternity.
Voluntary Paternity Establishment in Lawrence, MA
When a child is born to unmarried parents in the city of Lawrence, and the rest of Massachusetts, the child does not have a legal father until the parents take steps to establish paternity (also called parentage). When both parents agree about the identity of the child's father, it's easy to establish paternity by completing and filing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage Form.
Once the paperwork has been processed, the man becomes the child's legal father. His name can be added to the birth certificate and he becomes responsible for providing financial support for the child. At that time, he can also petition the courts to request visitation and/or custody rights.
Establishing Paternity in Court
If both parents don't agree about the identity of a child's biological father, it's necessary to petition the courts to establish legal paternity. This can be done by the child's mother, a man who believes he is the child's father, the child themselves (even if they are under 18), and other representatives of the mother, father, or child (in certain circumstances).
Before making a ruling, the judge will typically order a DNA test, also known as a "genetic marker test," which will determine whether the man is the child's biological father. An interested party would need to file a petition for parentage in the Probate and Family Court for the county where the child and one parent lives. The court for Lawrence residents is located at 2 Appleton St, Lawrence, MA 01840.
Last updated 2/21/2023
Locations
Neighborhoods Served in Lawrence
Additional Services
Health Street offers a variety of other services, including: