DNA Testing in New York

New York State Requirements

New York is the one state where a DNA test cannot simply be self-ordered. Under New York State Department of Health rules, a paternity, maternity or other relationship test for a New York resident must be ordered by an authorized person, which means a licensed physician, an attorney or a court. Samples also have to be collected in person at an approved New York facility by a trained collector rather than taken at home. Paternity itself can be established by both parents signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity, or by an order of the Family Court under Family Court Act section 418, which can direct genetic testing. Because of the ordering requirement, New York residents should call before making any arrangements so we can confirm what your situation needs and how to obtain the order.