Are paternity tests accurate?

If you’re involved in a paternity test, on either side, the outcome is very important to your future. Maybe you’re a woman who believes she knows who her child’s father is, but the father denies it, and you need proof to seek child support. Or, perhaps you are a man who believes he has a right to see his child, but the child’s mother says that the child is not yours and denies you access. Either way, you need an official paternity test to put an end to the confusion and determine who is right. 

But how accurate may that test actually be? Is there a chance of a false positive or a false negative? 

Nothing is perfect and there are different types of tests, but most people turn to DNA testing because it is widely regarded as being very accurate. If the test says that someone is not the father, it is 100% conclusive. It does not get this wrong. If the test says that the man is the father, it is considered “highly likely.”

How highly? About 99.9%. So, while there are cases where the tests are wrong, they are so exceedingly rare that these tests are highly trusted. Out of every 1,000 tests, only one false positive — if that — would show up. 

As you can see, the fastest way to resolve this issue is by using a test. You and the other parent can make counter-claims that no one else can really verify. Only by looking at your DNA and the DNA of the child can you know beyond a shadow of a doubt. When that level of certainty has been established, find out what legal steps you need to take.