Help Center
Legal DNA Test (Separate Appointments)
1. Scheduling & Payment Requirements
- When clients request a legal DNA test with participants arriving at different appointment times, inform them that:
- The paying participant must come in first.
- All adults (18+) must receive results, as required by DDC.
- The paying participant must come in first.
In this example, the alleged father is the person paying and will come in first.
2. Check-In for Paying Participant (Alleged Father)
- Upon arrival, provide the Personal Authorization Form.
- He must list:
- All email addresses he wants results sent to.
- (You must inform him that every participant age 18+ will also receive the results.)
- All email addresses he wants results sent to.
- Once the form is fully completed, collect payment:
- Log into QBO
- Create a Sales Receipt
- Take payment and complete the transaction
- Log into QBO
3. Create the Case in the DDC Portal
- Log into the DDC Portal.
- Click “Submit Case.”
- When asked whether you need a Chain of Custody, select:
- YES – this is a legal collection.
- YES – this is a legal collection.
- Choose the test type:
- Standard Trio Paternity
- Standard Trio Paternity
- Using the alleged father’s ID:
- Enter his full name and DOB
- In the Comments Section, write:
- “Mother and child will be coming in at a later time.”
- “Mother and child will be coming in at a later time.”
- Enter his full name and DOB
- Click Complete.
Print required documents:
- Case Number Page
- Prefilled Chain of Custody (COC)
4. Gather Required Documents Before Entering the Lab
Before beginning the collection, ensure you have:
- Color copy of the alleged father’s ID
- Prefilled Chain of Custody
- Case Number form
- A Legal DNA Kit (clear bag)
Take all documents and the kit to the lab area.
5. Legal DNA Collection – Alleged Father
Prepare Identification & Signatures
- Have the alleged father:
- Print and sign his name on the color copy of his ID
- Fill out and sign his section of the Chain of Custody
(The mother will sign for the child later during her appointment.)
- Print and sign his name on the color copy of his ID
Prepare the Kit
- Open the Legal DNA kit.
- Keep:
- One small collection envelope
- Two swab pouches (4 swabs total)
- One small collection envelope
- Discard the extra envelopes and swabs from the kit.
Label & Initial
- On the small collection envelope:
- Write the alleged father’s information
- Have him initial and date the envelope
- Write the alleged father’s information
Collect the Swabs
- Put on new gloves.
- Swab the inside of the donor’s mouth using 4 swabs (one at a time).
- Place used swabs face down inside the labeled envelope.
- Tape the envelope flap closed for security.
Take & Sign Participant Photo
- Take a clear color photograph of the alleged father.
- Print the photo.
- Have him print his name, sign, and date the photo.
6. Package the Alleged Father’s Specimen
Include in the clear DNA bag:
- Completed Chain of Custody (COC)
- Signed color copy of ID
- Signed color photograph
- Swab collection envelope
Case Number Requirement
- Write the case number on:
- COC
- ID copy
- Photograph
- Collection envelope
- COC
Seal the Bag
- Place all documents and swabs into the clear bag.
- Seal the bag.
- Apply the red tamper-evident tape over the seal.
- Collector must sign across the red tape.
📌 Second Appointment: Mother & Child
When the mother and child arrive later, follow the steps below.
7. Check-In for Mother & Child
- Provide a Personal Authorization Form if needed (or use the one from the initial appointment).
- The mother will fill out:
- Her own information
- The child’s information (if not already completed)
- Her own information
8. Enter Additional Participant Info in DDC
- Log back into the DDC portal.
- Open the case using the case number or search features.
- Enter the mother and child’s full information.
- In the comments, write:
- “Refer to father’s case number for linked collection.”
- “Refer to father’s case number for linked collection.”
Print the new Chain of Custody (COC) for the mother and child.
9. Prepare All Required Documents
Before swabbing, gather:
- New prefilled COC for mother & child
- Color copies of the mother’s ID
- Legal DNA kit (new clear bag)
- Ensure case number is added to each document
10. Legal DNA Collection – Mother & Child
Chain of Custody
- Mother fills out and signs her section and the child’s section of the COC.
- She also prints and signs her name on the color copy of her ID.
Collect Their Swabs
- Open a new Legal DNA kit.
- Label the small envelopes with:
- Mother’s name
- Child’s name
- Mother’s name
- Have the mother initial and date each envelope.
- Swab both donors:
- 4 swabs per person
- Place swabs face down in each labeled envelope
- Tape envelopes closed
- 4 swabs per person
Photos
- Take color photos of:
- The mother
- The child
- The mother
- Print the photos
- Have the mother sign for both photos
11. Package Mother & Child Specimens
Include in the clear DNA bag:
- Swab envelopes
- Completed COC
- Color copy of mother’s ID
- Signed photographs
Seal the Bag
- Add red tamper-evident tape
- Collector signs across the tape
