Grandparentage Test
A grandparentage test is a DNA test that can verify the biological relationship between grandparents and their grandchild. The procedure for
collecting, separating, and analyzing the DNA samples is the same as in a paternity test, but because there are two generations between the
child and the grandparents, the analysis can be more difficult.
When is grandparentage testing used?
Grandparentage testing can be used for several purposes. Directly, it can be used to determine the biological relationship between alleged
grandparents and a child. Indirectly, it can be used to verify the biological identity of a child’s father or mother.
Many people undergoing grandparentage testing choose chain of custody testing in order to attain results they can use in court.
These results are often applied to legal cases concerning Social Security benefits, inheritance claims,
immigration, and adoption reunification. Also, grandparentage testing
can play an important role in child support cases, especially in states that uphold
grandparent liability laws.
Who is typically involved?
In grandparentage cases, two grandparents and a child are tested. If possible, a parent of the child is also tested to make comparison
between the child’s DNA and the grandparents’ DNA easier by providing additional genetic information.
The grandparents who are tested must be either both paternal grandparents or both maternal grandparents.
If you are trying to verify the parentage of a missing father, you should test the child, both paternal grandparents, and the mother (if possible).
If you are trying to verify the parentage of a missing mother, you should test the child, both maternal grandparents, and the father (if possible).
How are the samples collected?
Samples can be collected in several ways.
Buccal swabbing
is the most common collection technique, though several alternatives to it exist. Be sure to speak with the DNA testing company you
choose to pick the best collection option for your situation.
It is important that you speak with the company through which you plan to take your grandparentage test before you make a decision on
which type of samples to use.
You can learn more about DNA sample collection procedures by visiting the Sample Collection page.
How long can the results take?
Results of a grandparentage test can take up to 2 weeks to return, depending on the participants. If a parent of the child is involved,
the results can take about 5 business days to release. If no parent of the child is involved, the results can take about 9 business days to
release.
How conclusive are the results?
Grandparentage tests are typically very conclusive. There are two possible results for a grandparentage test:
- The alleged grandparents are not the biological grandparents
- The alleged grandparents are the biological grandparents
These results have further implications, as they can
also indicate the biological relationship of the child’s missing parent.
If the alleged grandparents are determined not to be the biological grandparents of the child, then they are said to be “excluded”
from grandparentage and will have a probability of grandparentage of 0%.
If the alleged grandparents are determined to be the biological grandparents of the child, then they are said to be “not excluded”
from grandparentage and will have a probability of grandparentage of above 99.5%. You should typically expect the probability to be above 99.9%,
though each case is different. The higher the percentage is, the more likely it is that the alleged grandparent is the biological grandparent of
the child as compared to random people in the same population.
It is impossible to have probability of grandparentage of 100% because this would require the DNA testing laboratory to test every person in
the world.
What is the typical price range for grandparentage testing?
The cost of grandparentage testing depends on the type of grandparentage test you need.
If the test results are for peace of mind or non-legal activity, the cost is lower. Grandparentage testing for in-home cases runs between
$400 and $500.
If the test results are for any legal cases, whether present or potentially in the future, the cost increases. Grandparentage testing for
legal, chain of custody cases
runs between $700 and $900.
You can learn more about the reasons behind the wide range of testing costs by visiting the Price Differences page.
What else should you know about grandparentage testing?
As mentioned above, the type of grandparentage test you take will depend on the intended application of the test results. If you simply want to
answer questions about your biological relationship for peace of mind, you can undergo an in-home grandparentage test. These results are
strictly for your personal use and cannot be used in legal cases.
If you are planning to use the results in any legal cases, from inheritance claims to adoption reunification, you must choose a chain of
custody grandparentage test. Even if you do not have an immediate legal use for the results, you should consider what you might use the test
results for in the future.
You can learn more by visiting the Do you need a chain of custody test? page.
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