DNA Testing in New Jersey
Sources: The Science of Paternity Testing (University of Minnesota Open Textbook), New Jersey Revised Statutes 9:17-41
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New Jersey State Requirements
New Jersey does not require a prescription or doctor's order for a DNA paternity test. Under N.J.S.A. 9:17-41, the parent-child relationship is established either by a Certificate of Parentage signed by the father and filed with the State, or by a court order based on genetic testing. In a contested case either party can request genetic testing, and a statistical probability of 95 percent or greater creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity. For a result to be used in a New Jersey court, the test must be run by an accredited laboratory with a completed chain-of-custody form, which means collection at a certified site with government ID from everyone tested. A home kit gives you a private answer but is not accepted for child support, custody or a birth certificate change. Call if you are unsure which one you need.