how soon can you do a paternity test

A paternity test can be done as early as 7 to 9 weeks into pregnancy using a non-invasive prenatal paternity test, which involves a blood sample from the mother and a mouth swab from the alleged father. This early testing method is safe for both mother and unborn baby but cannot be used for legal purposes. Alternatively, standard paternity tests can be conducted immediately after the baby is born, typically by collecting a cheek swab from the newborn and the alleged father. Invasive prenatal tests (like amniocentesis or CVS) that can also determine paternity are usually done later (between about 10 and 15 weeks) but carry some risk and are generally not recommended just for paternity testing. For legally binding results, testing after birth with proper chain of custody procedures is often required.