Step 1: Scheduling Your Appointment

It all starts with a conversation.

When you contact Reliable DNA Testing Solutions, we'll discuss:

• What type of DNA test you need

• Who will be participating

• Whether the testing is for personal knowledge or legal purposes

• A convenient date, time, and location

Because we're mobile, appointments can often take place at:

• Your home

• Your workplace

• An attorney's office

• A hospital or medical facility

• A correctional facility (when permitted)

• Our office location

• Another mutually agreed-upon location

Our goal is to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Step 2: Arrival at Your Appointment

On the day of your appointment, your trained specimen collector will arrive at the scheduled location with all necessary collection materials.

Before beginning, we'll introduce ourselves, explain the process, and answer any questions you may have.

There's no need to feel nervous most appointments take 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the number of participants.

Many of our clients tell us afterward:

"That was much easier than I expected!"

Step 3: Identity Verification

For court-admissible DNA testing, verifying everyone's identity is one of the most important steps.

Each participant will be asked to provide a valid government-issued photo ID when applicable.

For minors, documentation such as a birth certificate or other identifying information may be required.

We also:

• Verify participant information

• Confirm names and dates of birth

• Take required identification photographs (when appropriate)

• Review and sign consent forms

These steps help ensure the laboratory can confidently identify every participant.

Step 4: Chain of Custody

This is what separates a legal DNA test from an at-home DNA kit.

Chain of custody is a carefully documented process that protects the integrity of your DNA samples from collection through laboratory analysis.

Your specimen collector will:

• Document every participant

• Label all collection materials

• Complete required paperwork

• Witness every specimen collection

• Seal specimens in tamper-evident packaging

• Document every transfer until shipment

Because of these safeguards, the results may be accepted for legal purposes such as:

• Court proceedings

• Child support matters

• Immigration

• Estate and inheritance cases

• Social Security benefit claims (when applicable)

• Birth certificate amendments

Think of chain of custody as a secure paper trail that shows exactly who collected the sample, when it was collected, and how it reached the laboratory.

Step 5: Buccal Swab Collection

Here's the part everyone asks about...

No needles. No blood.

For most relationship DNA tests, we simply collect cells from the inside of each person's cheek using a soft sterile swab.

The collector gently rubs the swab against the inside of the cheek for a few seconds.

That's it!

The process is:

• Quick

• Safe

• Painless

• Non-invasive

Even young children usually complete the collection without any problems.

(Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Testing is an exception and requires a maternal blood draw in addition to a cheek swab from the alleged father.)

Step 6: Packaging the Specimens

After the specimens are collected, they are immediately:

• Labeled

• Verified

• Cross-checked

• Sealed

• Placed into secure laboratory packaging

Every label is carefully reviewed to ensure all participant information matches the chain of custody documentation.

Accuracy at this stage is essential because even small errors could delay processing.

Our collectors follow strict protocols to ensure every specimen arrives at the laboratory exactly as collected.

Step 7: Shipping to the Laboratory

Once your appointment is complete, your DNA samples are shipped to one of our accredited laboratory partners.

The laboratory receives:

• Your sealed specimens

• Chain of custody documentation (for legal cases)

• Collection paperwork

• Test authorization forms

From there, highly trained laboratory scientists begin the DNA analysis process.

Step 8: Laboratory Analysis

Inside the laboratory, scientists compare specific genetic markers between participants.

Depending on the type of relationship being tested, they evaluate whether the individuals share DNA in a way that supports the claimed biological relationship.

This sophisticated analysis allows the laboratory to calculate the statistical probability of a biological relationship.

Step 9: Receiving Your Results

Once testing is complete, you'll receive a professional laboratory report explaining the findings.

Typical turnaround times are 3-5 business days for most relationship DNA tests, although some specialized tests may take longer.

Your results are handled with the highest level of confidentiality and are released only to authorized individuals.

If you have questions about your report, our team is here to help explain the results and answer your questions.