Legal & personal DNA testing in Middle Tennessee
Get the right DNA test the first time.
Whether you need answers for court, custody, child support, family questions, or your own peace of mind, we help you understand which type of DNA testing you need before you pay or schedule.
Professional collection. Accredited laboratory analysis. Clear guidance from start to finish.
Not sure which test you need? You do not have to figure that out before contacting us.
Start here
Will you ever need this result for court or another official purpose?
This is the question that determines how your testing should be handled.
Yes. I may need the result for court.
Choose Legal DNA Testing.
Legal testing uses verified identification, professional sample collection, and documented chain of custody so the result can be used for appropriate legal or official purposes.
- Custody matters
- Birth-certificate matters
- Child support
- Court proceedings
- Establishing paternity
- Attorney-requested testing
No. I only want the answer for myself.
Choose Personal DNA Testing.
Personal testing can provide the same biological answer without the chain-of-custody documentation required for court. It is intended for private knowledge and peace of mind.
Learn About Personal DNA TestingNot sure? Choose legal.
If there is a reasonable chance you may need the result officially later, tell us before testing. A personal test generally cannot simply be converted into a legal result afterward. The collection process would need to be completed correctly.
Have a court date coming up?
Timing matters.
Tell us your court date during intake. We will explain the type of testing you need, what must happen before collection, and whether your current timeline is realistic.
Do not wait until the week of court to start figuring out the process.
Paternity DNA testing
When the question is paternity, the process should be clear.
Paternity DNA testing compares genetic markers from the child and alleged father to determine the biological relationship.
Legal Paternity Testing
For situations where the result may need to be used in court or another official proceeding.
Starting at$349Includes professional collection, identity verification, documented chain of custody, and accredited laboratory analysis.
Start Legal Paternity IntakePersonal Paternity Testing
For families seeking answers for their own private knowledge.
Starting at$225Does not include the legal chain-of-custody process required for court use.
Start Personal Paternity Intake
Final pricing is confirmed before scheduling. Additional participants, specialty testing, unusual samples, expedited processing, or other circumstances may affect the total cost.
Beyond paternity
Sometimes the person you need to test is not available.
DNA testing can sometimes help answer family relationship questions using other biological relatives.
Grandparent DNA Testing
Can help evaluate a biological relationship between a child and an alleged grandparent.
Sibling DNA Testing
Can help determine whether two individuals are full siblings, half siblings, or biologically unrelated.
Aunt / Uncle DNA Testing
Also called avuncular testing, this may be used when the alleged parent is unavailable but a biological sibling of that person can participate.
Y-Chromosome Testing
Can help evaluate whether males share the same paternal family line.
Relationship testing is case-specific. We will confirm which participants are available before recommending a test.
Infidelity & evidence testing
When you have a question about an item, start with what you have.
Sometimes the question is not about collecting a cheek swab. It is about whether biological material may be present on an item and whether that material can be evaluated.
- Clothing or undergarments
- Bedding or fabric
- Personal items
- Swabs collected from an item
- Other objects that may contain biological material
SurePath can help determine whether an item may be appropriate for laboratory testing and explain what testing can and cannot tell you before you proceed.
Laboratory testing may detect or evaluate biological material on an item, depending on the sample and test requested. We will explain the limitations before testing so you understand what the result can actually establish.
Specialty DNA testing
What if a cheek swab is not available?
In certain circumstances, a laboratory may be able to attempt DNA analysis from personal items or other non-standard samples.
- Toothbrushes
- Cigarette butts
- Hair with usable tissue
- Other personal effects
- Fingernail or toenail clippings
Testing requirements depend on the sample and circumstances. Do not clean, handle excessively, or alter an item you may want evaluated. Contact us first so we can explain how to protect the sample.
What to expect
You will know what happens before anything begins.
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Start the confidential intake.
Tell us what you are trying to determine, who is available to test, and whether the result may be needed for court.
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We recommend the appropriate test.
We explain legal versus personal testing, the participants required, pricing, and what your situation calls for.
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Payment confirms your testing process.
Once the correct test has been selected, payment is completed before collection is scheduled.
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We coordinate collection.
For legal testing, identification is verified and samples are collected using documented chain-of-custody procedures.
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The laboratory performs the analysis.
Samples are sent to our accredited partner laboratory.
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You receive your results.
Results are delivered securely, along with guidance about what you received.
DNA collection is usually simpler than people expect.
For most relationship DNA tests, collection is performed using a painless cheek swab. The collector gently swabs the inside of each participant's cheek to collect cells.
- No needles.
- No blood draw for standard paternity testing.
- No complicated medical procedure.
For legal testing, the difference is not the swab itself. The difference is the identification, documentation, and chain of custody surrounding the collection.
What should I bring to a legal DNA collection?
We will send your exact instructions before your appointment. Depending on the situation, participants may need:
- Valid government-issued photo identification
- Identification or documentation for minor children when applicable
- Court paperwork if testing relates to an existing case
- Any information we specifically request during intake
Do not worry about memorizing this list. We will tell you exactly what applies to your situation before collection.
Why SurePath
DNA testing is scientific. Your situation is personal.
The laboratory performs the analysis. Our job is to make sure the process surrounding it is handled correctly.
We explain before we collect.
You should understand what type of test you are taking and why.
We take chain of custody seriously.
When results may need to hold up officially, documentation matters just as much as the sample.
We know these situations can be complicated.
Participants may not be speaking. Someone may live somewhere else. Court may already be scheduled. Families do not always arrive in neat circumstances.
We treat people like people.
Professional does not have to mean cold.
Real questions. Clear answers.
Questions people ask when DNA testing is not simple.
What happens if we're not speaking?
You do not necessarily need to coordinate directly with the other participant. Depending on the testing arrangement, collections may be coordinated separately while maintaining the appropriate testing process.
What if he agrees today and backs out tomorrow?
If everyone is currently willing to participate, there is value in beginning the process rather than assuming they will remain available indefinitely. We will explain what is needed from each participant before anything is scheduled.
We have a court date coming up. Do we have enough time?
Possibly. Timing depends on collection availability, the participants involved, laboratory processing, and your court date. Tell us the date during intake so we can discuss the timeline before you proceed.
What happens if I need the result for court later?
If there is any possibility that you may need the result for court, tell us before testing. Personal testing does not include the documented collection process required for legal use.
My child is a newborn. Should I test now or wait?
A cheek-swab DNA test can generally be performed on a newborn. There is usually no need to wait simply because the child is young if establishing the biological relationship now would be helpful.
Does the mother have to be tested?
Not always. Whether her sample is recommended depends on the type of relationship testing and the circumstances. We will tell you who needs to participate.
Can participants be tested in different locations?
Often, yes. Split collections can sometimes be coordinated when participants live in different places or cannot attend together. Tell us during intake so the collection can be arranged appropriately.
Can I use an at-home DNA kit in court?
A standard home test generally does not include verified identification and documented chain of custody. If legal use is possible, begin with legal testing instead.
How long do results take?
Turnaround depends on the test and laboratory workflow. We will give you the expected timeframe for your specific test before scheduling.
Do you offer immigration DNA testing?
SurePath does not currently provide immigration DNA testing. If a case requires immigration-specific DNA procedures, we can let you know that during intake so you do not book the wrong service.
DNA testing across Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
SurePath coordinates DNA testing for families throughout Middle Tennessee. Appointments are coordinated at approved professional or neutral locations based on the type of testing required.
Primary markets
- Nashville
- Hendersonville
- Gallatin
Additional markets
- Mt. Juliet
- Lebanon
- and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities
You do not need to know which DNA test to choose.
Tell us what is happening.
We will help you determine the appropriate test, explain the cost and process, and coordinate the next step.