Legal Paternity Testing

Legal Paternity Testing is performed under the Family Law Act 1975 and can be used for a range of legal issues involving the Family Law Court of Australia (court ordered DNA testing), such as Child Support and Child Custody disputes, changes to birth certificates, immigration, surrogacy, estate matters and other legal reasons.

DNAQ processes all samples utilising the most stringent DNA kit available on the commercial market which provides results in excess of 99.99% for father and child testing and 99.9999% when the mother’s DNA is also tested. DNAQ is accredited to the highest International standards of ISO 17025 and with the National Association of Australian Testing Authorities (NATA).

We pride ourselves on having staff who are trained to the highest possible standard. We understand the sensitivities around your situation and can explain the testing procedure and results accurately, efficiently and with the utmost level of confidentiality.

How do I order a Legal DNA Test?

You can order online or fill out our application form and return it to DNAQ via email or post. An application must be filled out and payment must be received, prior to starting any testing. Once DNAQ receives your application and payment we will start your case. We will mail a sealed collection kit to all parties being tested, which contains instructions for the client, Justice of the Peace and Collector (such as your GP or a Pathology Collector). Alternatively, we also offer in-house collections at our Brisbane laboratory for an additional fee.

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What do I need for a legal collection?

Each person (including children) will need the following:

• 2 x identical passport style photos. One photo will be attached to Form 2 and the other will be attached to Form 4 which is sealed inside your kit. These can usually be taken at your local post office.
• Government-issued Photo Identification, such as a Driver’s license, Proof of Age Card or Passport. For children, please provide a Medicare card or Birth Certificate. You must take the original and a photocopy of your identification for the Justice of the Peace to certify.
• The fee payable to the doctor or pathology centre for your collection. Please note, you must cover the costs for your collection as this is not included in the cost of testing (unless collection has already been prepaid to DNAQ).

Collection Process with your GP or Pathology Collector

1. Once your application and payment is received DNAQ will send a security sealed DNA kit for each person to the addresses provided upon application.
2. Do not open your DNA kit – It has been security sealed and must only be opened by the doctor or pathology collector.
3. You must obtain 2 identical passport sized photos of each person being tested, one will need to be attached to form 2 and the other to form 4 which is sealed inside the kit.
4. Call the doctor’s clinic or pathology collector to make an appointment. (DNAQ suggests making an afternoon appointment to ensure there is enough time to complete your Form 2 prior to the collection)
5. Form 2 must be completed prior to but on the same day as your collection, the form 2 must be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or Police Officer.
6. BOTH passport sized photos need to be certified and signed by the Justice of the Peace/Police Officer.
7. If you are attending with the child in question please complete part 1 for yourself and part 2 on behalf of the child, if you are not attending with the child only your own details are required.
8. The filled Form 2 needs to be taken with you to your collection appointment along with the second passport sized photo and some form of ID (e.g Driver’s License, Passport or Medicare card for children)
9. Do not eat, drink or smoke/vape for 30 minutes prior to your DNA collection. For small children, this includes not formula or breast milk for at least 30 minutes prior to collection.
10. Please note your doctor or pathology center may charge you for your collection appointment.

Any deviations from this procedure will result in delayed processing and/or re-collection of
samples which will incur a $60 charge to the client. If you have any questions regarding the collection process, please call DNAQ on 1300 172 837 during business hours.

Collection Appointments at DNAQ

DNAQ also offers the convenience of in-house collections at our laboratory in Brisbane, for an additional fee of $75 per person. We can arrange for Justice of the Peace to be present, and collect your samples at one appointment.

1. Please submit your application form and payment, you may wish to advise in the comments your weekday availability for a collection appointment.
2. We will contact you once your application has been received to confirm an appointment date and time. Please note that appointments are subject to the availability of our Justice of the Peace.
3. You will need to bring 2 x passport sized photos of each person being tested and some form of ID for each person (e.g. Drivers License, Passport, Birth Certificate or Medicare card).
4. Please allow around 30 minutes for your appointment and do not eat, drink or smoke/vape for at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment. For small children, this includes no formula or breast milk for at least 30 minutes prior to collection.

What if the other party is not located in Australia?

We can arrange for our DNA kits to be sent internationally, please contact us on 1300 172 837 and we can provide you with a quote for overseas courier. If it is an Australian Immigration case the DNA collection kit will be sent to the closest Embassy or Consulate, for more information please visit our Immigration Testing page.

Processing of Samples

As soon as all samples are received at DNAQ, the case will be promptly processed. We endeavour to have the results mailed within 3-5 working days of the receipt of the samples at our laboratory in Brisbane. An Express processing option (2 working days) is available for an additional $350.

Results

Results will be mailed to the parties tested. No results will be given over the phone or faxed. Copies may be emailed to the mother and alleged father if consent is given on the Consent Authority form at time of testing. A copy may be faxed or emailed to a nominated Lawyer or Case Manager (Child Services) if DNAQ has prior written consent from the tested parties. Copies will be sent directly to Australian Immigration for Immigration cases.