What Makes a DNA Test Legal and Court-Admissible?
Legal DNA Testing: Why It Matters
For cases like custody, paternity, immigration, or inheritance, only DNA tests that follow strict legal procedures are accepted in court. At National Testing Services (NTS), we provide court-admissible DNA testing with verified identity, secure chain of custody, and results you can trust.
What Is a Legal DNA Test?
A legal DNA test is one that follows a strict chain of custody process to ensure the identity of participants and the integrity of the sample. Unlike at-home DNA kits, legal tests are witnessed, documented, and verified at every stage.
The results can be used for:
✅ Court-ordered paternity and custody cases
✅ Child support and parental rights
✅ Immigration and visa applications
✅ Inheritance and estate claims
✅ Adoption or family reunification cases
Why At-Home DNA Kits Aren’t Admissible in Court
While at-home DNA kits can provide general information, they are not legally valid in official matters because:
There’s no verification of who provided the sample
The collection is not supervised
Chain of custody cannot be proven
Courts cannot rely on the results as evidence
If your case involves the court system, child services (CPS), or immigration authorities, a legal test is required.
What Makes a DNA Test Court-Admissible?
To be accepted in legal settings, a DNA test must meet the following criteria:
Chain of Custody
All steps from collection to delivery must be documented, including:
Participant ID verification (government-issued ID)
In-person sample collection by a trained technician
Tamper-evident packaging and sealing
Secure lab delivery and processing
Accredited Laboratory Testing
Samples must be analyzed by a certified laboratory, such as:
AABB (American Association of Blood Banks)
ISO-accredited or CLIA-certified labs
Official Notarized Results
The final results come as a notarized report with detailed genetic analysis and clear identification of tested individuals — admissible in family court or government proceedings.
How It Works at NTS
At National Testing Services, our legal DNA testing includes:
✔️ In-person collection by certified professionals
✔️ Secure chain-of-custody documentation
✔️ Lab analysis by AABB-accredited facility
✔️ Results in 1–3 business days (in most cases)
✔️ Legally defensible, court-ready report
We offer testing for:
Paternity (legal fatherhood determination)
Maternity
Sibling, grandparent, or other kinship relationships
Immigration-related family testing
Who Should Use Legal DNA Testing?
You may need a legal DNA test if:
You’re involved in a custody dispute
You’re seeking child support or visitation rights
You’re working with immigration authorities
You want to establish or disprove legal parentage
You’re going through a name change or adoption process
Choose NTS for Trusted Legal DNA Testing
🔐 Discreet & confidential service
🏠 Mobile collection available across Jackson, MS and surrounding counties
💼 Trusted by family courts, attorneys, and CPS agencies
🕒 Flexible scheduling and fast turnaround
Get in Touch
We’re here to answer your questions and assist with all your testing needs. Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.