DNA Testing for Child Support Newark, NJ

How much is a DNA test for child support purposes?

Pricing for a legal paternity test for child support purposes starts at $375 for father and child or father, mother, and child. We recommend contacting our office at 866-269-2516 to speak with a DNA Consultant and to schedule an appointment.

How long does it take to receive DNA results for a child support case?

The turnaround time depends on which avenue you take.

In cases where a judge orders a paternity test to be performed in court, you will generally go through the state. State‑oversight DNA tests can take several weeks to several months, depending on the jurisdiction’s workload.

In cases where you perform the test independently of the court, the turnaround time for the results is three business days from the date the lab receives all DNA samples. A copy of the results can be sent directly to the judge if requested, but all parties involved in the paternity test will receive a copy of the DNA result.

Can I perform a DNA Test if I currently pay child support in New Jersey?

Yes. It is possible to perform a legal paternity DNA test while you are currently paying child support. Whether the DNA test can be used to overturn a judge's ruling will depend on your specific circumstances.

For example, if the alleged father signed the Certificate of Parentage (COP), or if he was presumed to be the child's legal father because the child was born during a marriage, additional legal issues may need to be addressed before the court considers changing an existing child support order. In some situations, the presumed father may have to demonstrate that the mother intentionally misrepresented the child's paternity.

Before attempting to overturn an existing child support order, we recommend speaking with a family law attorney about your specific circumstances.

One of the practical challenges some presumed fathers encounter is obtaining access to the child for DNA testing. When possible, it is advisable to work in concert with the child's mother throughout the process. Cooperation may reduce delays and avoid unnecessary complications.

It is also important to understand that when a legal paternity DNA test is performed independently without the mother's participation, the mother may challenge the DNA test results if the case later proceeds to family court. In many of these situations, the judge will order a new legal paternity DNA test through the court to independently establish paternity. For this reason, working in concert with the child's mother whenever possible may help avoid performing another DNA test.