Legal Paternity Testing for Child Safety

For many cases where Child Safety is involved, a Legal Paternity Test that is admissible in the Family Law court is required. DNAQ works closely with Child Safety offices across Australia, to help arrange Paternity Testing for children currently in their care. DNAQ understands that for many cases where Child Safety is involved, results are needed urgently to ensure the child’s best interests are maintained when making decisions regarding child custody. We are available throughout the entire process to assist with any questions you may have.

DNAQ processes all samples utilizing 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).

Application Process

Our Child Safety Legal Testing application must be completed, with details of all persons being tested and the case manager, prior to starting any testing. An application can also be submitted via our website – click here to Order Now. Upon application DNAQ will start your case. We can send the kits directly to the individuals being tested or to the case manager.

What do we need for the collection?

Once we have received the application, a DNA testing kit for each person will be sent to the requested address. It is not a requirement for all parties to have their samples collected at the same time or at the same appointment.

For the collection, each person to be tested, including children, will need:

• 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 (must be an original or certified copy). If there is no identification available for the child, please contact DNAQ to discuss options.

For Child Safety cases, DNAQ will cover the cost of collection at our approved collection centres only, such as QML. Please contact us for more information.

Alternatively, DNAQ also offers the convenience of in-house collections at our laboratory in Brisbane. We can arrange for Justice of the Peace to be present to witness the paperwork, and collect the samples at one appointment. Please contact us if you would like to arrange an appointment.

Collection Process with GP or Pathology Collector

1. Once an 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 the 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 no formula or breast milk for at least 30 minutes prior to collection.

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.

Processing of Samples

As soon as all samples are received, the case will be promptly processed. We endeavour to have the results mailed within 3-5 working days of the receipt of the samples, and Child Safety cases receive priority processing. An Express processing option is offered for an additional $350, which guarantees results in 2 working days.

Results

Once the case has been finalised, a copy of the results will be mailed and emailed to the case manager only. It is DNAQ’s preference that the case manager informs the test parties of the results, to avoid any conflicts that may arise from the results. Results will only be released to the tested parties if requested by the case manager.

Please contact us on 1300 172 837, to discuss a case or the logistics of a sample collection.