FAQs

DNA is like the body’s instruction manual – it carries the information that tells us how to grow, develop, and function. You can think of it like a recipe, with all the ingredients and steps that make each person unique.

We inherit half our DNA from our mother and half from our father. Because of this, by comparing the DNA profiles of two or more people, scientists can determine whether they share a genetic link and how closely they are related.

Parentage testing is a type of DNA test that confirms whether an adult is the true biological parent of a child. A paternity test determines if a man is the child’s biological father, while a maternity test determines if a woman is the biological mother.

By comparing the child’s DNA profile with the alleged parent’s, we can see whether the child has inherited their DNA from that person and provide a clear, reliable answer about the biological relationship.

Kinship testing compares the DNA profiles of two or more people to determine the likelihood of a genetic family relationship. There is more uncertainty with this type of testing compared to parentage testing because of the way in which we inherit our DNA. It is important to note that even if our testing doesn’t support a particular relationship, it doesn’t mean that you are not actually related. It just means you don’t share any of the DNA that we have looked at.

No, Y-STR testing only works for males because it analyses the Y chromosome, which females don’t have. However, we can test female individuals against males using autosomal DNA testing.

Our test kits use simple mouth swabs (cheek swabs). Swabbing is quick, painless, and suitable for any age. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions with your kit.

Yes, you can test just the father and child. However, including the mother strengthens the results and helps avoid potential ambiguity, especially if possible fathers are related. We do not charge extra to include the known mother.

All people providing a DNA sample must give their written consent.

• For children under 18, consent must be provided by a parent or legal guardian who is responsible for the child’s long-term care, welfare, and development.

• For individuals with intellectual disabilities, consent must be given by their legal guardian or the person lawfully responsible for their long-term care and welfare.

This ensures that testing is carried out ethically, respectfully, and with the appropriate authority.

A DNA test can be carried out at any age, even as soon as a baby is born. The sample is collected using a soft swab rubbed gently inside the baby’s mouth – it is completely safe, painless, and does not harm the baby in any way.

If there is a question about who the biological father is, you can order one of our at-home paternity DNA test kits for peace of mind.

If your sample was not collected according to the instructions provided, a recollection fee of $65 per kit (for up to three people at the same address) plus postage will apply.

If your sample fails to generate a DNA profile due to insufficient DNA or contamination, both a recollection fee ($65) and a re-testing fee ($90 per person) will apply.

We’ll contact you if there are any issues with your samples and guide you through the recollection process.

You must collect your samples and return your kit to the laboratory within 6 months of placing your order.

If 6 months pass and we haven’t received any samples, your order will be cancelled with no refund issued. A reactivation fee of $65 will apply if you wish to proceed with testing after this time.

If we’ve received some samples but not all within 6 months, the received samples will be destroyed, your order will be cancelled (no refund), and a $65 reactivation fee plus recollection fees will apply if you want to continue.

At-home DNA testing is designed for your peace of mind. Samples are collected by you in the comfort of your own home using our simple cheek swab kits. The process is quick, painless, and suitable for any age.

Because the identities of the people being tested are not independently verified, at-home DNA test results cannot be used for legal purposes. They are provided for your own information and personal knowledge only.

All testing is carried out in our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory using the same scientific procedures as legal tests, ensuring you still receive accurate and reliable results.

Yes. All DNA testing at Identilab is carried out in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. This is the internationally recognised standard for testing and calibration laboratories, ensuring strict quality systems, scientific reliability, and accurate results.

Even though our New Zealand services are currently offered for peace-of-mind testing only, the laboratory processes used are the same as those required for legal testing. This means you can be confident that your results are accurate, reliable, and handled to the highest international standards.

No, Identilab does not offer ancestry or heritage testing. We specialise in paternity, maternity, kinship, and zygosity testing to determine biological relationships between individuals. If you’re interested in learning about your ethnic background or ancestral origins, you may want to explore dedicated ancestry testing services.

We currently offer at-home DNA tests for paternity, maternity, kinship (siblings, grandparents, aunt/uncle–niece/nephew), and twin zygosity. All are for peace-of-mind purposes only and cannot be used in court or for official legal matters.

You can cancel your order within seven (7) days of purchase as long as testing has not yet commenced in the laboratory. An administration fee of $100 NZD applies to cover kit preparation and handling.

If you cancel more than seven (7) days after placing your order, or if testing has already begun, no refund will be provided.

For more information about your consumer rights, visit the New Zealand Consumer Protection website.

You can pay securely online when ordering your kit. We accept major credit/debit cards.

Once we receive all samples for your case, your report is usually ready within 5 business days, provided the samples are of good quality and no extra testing is required. Reports are delivered by email as a PDF. Hard copy reports are available for a $50 fee.

Your DNA parentage report will say that the tested person is either “excluded” or “not excluded” as the biological parent.

• Excluded means the DNA does not match, so the person is not the biological parent.

• Not excluded means the DNA is consistent with a biological parent–child relationship. In other words, their DNA matches the child’s profile and supports that they are the biological parent.

If the tested parent is not excluded as the biological parent, your report will include two numbers that show the strength of the DNA evidence:

• Combined Parentage Index (CPI): This tells you how many times more likely it is to see the DNA results if the tested person is the biological parent compared with if a random, unrelated person were the parent. The higher the number, the stronger the evidence.

• Relative Probability of Paternity (or Maternity): This is shown as a percentage. It expresses how confident we can be that the tested person is the biological parent, based on the DNA results.

If the tested person is excluded as the biological parent, no numbers are provided – the DNA clearly shows they are not the biological parent.

Twin zygosity testing determines whether twins are identical or non-identical.

• Identical twins (monozygotic): The twins developed from a single fertilised egg that split into two. They share essentially the same DNA profile.

• Non-identical twins (dizygotic): The twins developed from two separate eggs fertilised by two separate sperm. Their DNA profiles are as different as any other siblings.

A kinship test looks at how much DNA two or more people share to assess whether they are likely to be biologically related. Your report will state whether the evidence supports, does not support, or is inconclusive for the relationship being tested.

• Support for the relationship: The DNA evidence is consistent with the tested people being related in the way described (e.g. full siblings, half siblings, or grandparent–grandchild).

• No support for the relationship: The DNA evidence does not support the tested relationship, making it unlikely the individuals are biologically related in that way.

• Inconclusive: The DNA evidence is not strong enough to confirm or exclude the relationship – sometimes this happens if not enough DNA markers are shared or if the tested relationship is more distant.

Yes. Reports are sent by email as a PDF by default at no extra cost. If you would like a printed hard copy report posted to you, a fee of $50 per delivery address applies.

DNA test accuracy in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory is extremely close to 100%, meaning technical errors are exceptionally rare. Modern DNA testing technology, combined with rigorous quality control procedures, ensures that the laboratory correctly analyses genetic markers with reliability. Accredited laboratories like Identilab follow strict protocols for sample handling, testing procedures, and result verification to minimise any possibility of error. While no scientific test can claim absolute perfection, ISO 17025 accreditation ensures the testing process meets the highest international standards for technical competence and accuracy.

Yes. All of our DNA testing kits are sent in plain, courier packaging with no Identilab logos or any indication of what’s inside. Your privacy is always protected from the moment you place your order through to when you receive your results.

Results are sent to all adults (18+) who were tested, as well as the person who ordered the test. Legal guardians also receive results for minors they’ve consented for. We do not share results with third parties without your consent, unless required by law.

Your DNA sample is destroyed two weeks after the report is issued to you.

We comply with our privacy obligations as set out under the Privacy Act 2020, including the New Zealand Information Privacy Principles (IPP), and (where applicable) the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (HIPC).

Your DNA samples are destroyed two weeks after your report is issued. However, your test results and associated documentation will be retained for a minimum of 7 years in accordance with our record-keeping obligations and may be kept indefinitely in de-identified form. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

Yes, your DNA data is secure. We comply fully with the NZ Privacy Act 2020 and only analyse the specific DNA markers needed for your test – not your entire genome.

For detailed information about our security measures and privacy practices, read our complete guide on DNA privacy in New Zealand.