Why is consent needed for DNA testing?

DNA testing involves collecting and analysing a person's genetic material, which is protected under UK data protection and human tissue legislation. Consent ensures the test is carried out legally, ethically, and with the individual's full understanding of what the test involves and how their results will be used.

What consent is required for a DNA test?

Adults being tested must provide their own signed consent. For children under 16, consent must be given by someone with parental responsibility for the child. For legal DNA tests, additional documentation may be required depending on the purpose of the test.

Can I do a DNA test without someone knowing?

No. UK law requires the consent of every person being tested, or their legal guardian if they are under 16. Testing someone's DNA without their knowledge or consent is not something we are able to offer, and may be unlawful under the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Can I refuse a DNA test?

Yes. DNA testing is voluntary unless ordered by a court. If a court has ordered a DNA test as part of legal proceedings, refusal may be taken into account by the court, but you cannot be physically compelled to provide a sample.

DNA Testing: Paternity, Sibling & Legal DNA Tests Across the UK

Choose to receive accurate and confidential results from one of the best DNA testing laboratory in the UK.

Doctor taking sample for DNA test from man in clinic

DNA testing - Paternity (or Maternity if required)

Receive accurate results with a reliable paternity DNA test from our UKAS-accredited laboratory, confirming biological relationships with confidence.

Our paternity test analyses up to 42 DNA markers — double the industry standard — to examine the child's DNA and identify which half is inherited from the father. The test can be performed at any time on a person of any age, including newborn babies and adults.

For a peace-of-mind paternity test, cheek (buccal) swabs are used to collect DNA from the alleged father(s) and the child. These samples are then analysed and compared in the laboratory to identify matching DNA markers (loci).

For children under the age of 16, consent for their DNA to be used in the test can only be provided by those who have parental responsibility for the child. Please ensure you can sign the consent form on your child's behalf.

Price: £150 | Turnaround time: 5–7 working days (from receipt of samples at the laboratory)

DNA testing - Sibling

Our laboratory uses DNA technology to determine whether two or more individuals are full-siblings, half-siblings, or unrelated — useful for family, legal, or personal purposes when a paternity test isn't possible.

When both people have the same biological parents, they are classed as full-siblings. Half-siblings are individuals who share only one biological parent, either the mother or father.

When testing for sibling relationships, the DNA laboratory will determine the genetic profile of the possible siblings and will calculate a sibling DNA index or likelihood ratio.

Full siblings usually have more DNA in common than half-siblings, while half siblings normally share more DNA than unrelated persons.

Unlike a paternity test which will always provide a conclusive result, sibling DNA testing is different.

When a sibling test is conducted, the DNA laboratory will determine the genetic profiles of the alleged full or half-siblings.

Based on the genetic material shared by each sibling, a sibling DNA index or likelihood ratio is calculated to determine the most likely relationship.

A likelihood of greater than 10 indicates that the siblings are related, either full or half, but a likelihood of less than 0.1 does not support this.

A likelihood that falls between 0.1 and 10 is inconclusive, which means that a relationship cannot be determined, based on the data collected and analysed.

The higher the value of the sibling DNA index, the greater the likelihood that the two individuals are biological full or half-siblings. It is possible to analyse two individuals to determine that they are more likely to share two common parents versus one common parent (i.e., they are full siblings sharing a mother and father) or that it is more likely that they have one parent in common versus them being unrelated (i.e., that they are half-siblings, with a single parent in common).

Price: £210 | Turnaround time: 5–7 working days (from receipt of samples at the laboratory)

Legal DNA testing

If you require your DNA test for legal purposes, choose this test option and describe your specific requirement in the comments box. We follow a strict chain of custody procedure for all legal DNA tests.

This test is for members of the public who require a legal DNA test for CSA (Child Support Agency) purposes, immigration purposes, or for legal professionals and social workers who require a DNA test for a client.

We offer a DNA sample collection service that can visit you or your client, or you can have your sample collected free of charge at one of our walk-in clinics. Our fully trained sample collectors follow strict procedures to maintain chain of custody, which is essential for legal admissibility.

DNA testing is a powerful tool for verifying biological relationships between family members, and is often used to support UK immigration cases — for example, when a family member is applying to join a relative who is already a permanent UK resident, or when applying for British citizenship and asked to provide supporting evidence of a family relationship. This test must follow a strict chain of custody to be admissible in a UK court or immigration hearing.

We work with an approved DNA testing laboratory that maintains strict chain of custody throughout.

On the day of your appointment, please bring the following:

Two passport-style photographs of each person being tested
A valid form of photographic ID (passport or driving licence)
Any reference or case number provided by your solicitor, the Home Office, or the relevant authority, if applicable

Price: £350 | Turnaround time: 5–7 working days (from receipt of samples at the laboratory)