Publicado el Thursday, October 15, 2026 9:03 pm
Yes — you can get a DNA paternity test at HealthCARE Express. It's one of the services people are most surprised to learn we offer, and it's handled by our occupational medicine team, the same people who run chain-of-custody drug testing for employers and courts every day. Here's how a DNA test works, the difference between a legal test and a personal one, and what to expect when you come in.
How a DNA Paternity Test Works
A DNA paternity test compares genetic markers between a child and a possible father. The sample is collected with a cheek swab: a soft cotton swab rubbed along the inside of the cheek for a few seconds. No needles, no blood draw, and it works just as well for a newborn as it does for an adult.
The swabs are sealed and sent to an accredited lab. The result comes back one of two ways: the man tested is excluded as the biological father, or he is not excluded, with a probability of paternity that is typically 99% or higher.
Legal vs. Peace-of-Mind DNA Tests: Which One Do You Need?
The science is the same in both. What's different is how the sample is collected and documented — and that's what decides whether a court will accept the result.
Legal DNA test
A legal DNA test is the one you need for child support, custody or visitation cases, adding a father's name to a birth certificate, or inheritance and estate matters. To hold up legally, the collection has to be done by a neutral third party who:
• Verifies a government-issued photo ID for every adult being tested
• Collects each sample in person and seals it in front of the participants
• Documents every hand-off on a chain-of-custody form until the samples reach the lab
Peace-of-mind DNA test
A peace-of-mind (or personal) test answers the question for you and your family, without the chain-of-custody documentation. It's private and often less expensive, but the result can't be used in court.
Our honest advice: if there's any chance you'll need the result for a legal matter later, start with the legal test. A home kit or personal test won't be accepted, and testing twice costs more than doing it right the first time.
Why Chain of Custody Matters for a Legal DNA Test
Chain of custody is the paper trail that proves the sample tested at the lab is the same one collected from you. Without it, the other side in a custody or support case can challenge the result — and a challenged result can mean starting over.
That's exactly why DNA testing sits inside our occupational medicine program. Our collectors already handle documented, chain-of-custody collections every day for DOT drug testing and court-ordered testing, following strict federal guidelines. A legal DNA collection uses the same discipline: verified identity, sealed samples, and signed documentation at every step.
“People are usually surprised we do DNA testing at all. But it fits — we already do chain-of-custody collections every day for employers and courts. When someone needs a result they can actually use, we know how to collect it the right way.”
— Kim Crockett, Occupational Medicine, HealthCARE Express
Getting a DNA Test in Texarkana, Longview, and Shreveport
If you're in the Texarkana, Longview, or Shreveport area, you don't have to drive to a hospital or a specialty lab for a legal DNA collection. HCE clinics are close to home, with evening and Saturday hours at most locations. Call ahead so we can confirm the collection at your clinic and have the right paperwork ready.
What to bring
• A valid government-issued photo ID for each adult being tested
• The child's birth certificate, if a minor is being tested
• A parent or legal guardian to consent for any child under 18
• Your court order or case paperwork, if the test is court-ordered
How long results take
Once the samples reach the lab, results typically come back within a few business days. We'll let you know the expected timeline at your visit.
DNA testing is just one of the lesser-known services on our walk-in testing menu — it's worth a look if you need something else done while you're in.
Find the HealthCARE Express clinic nearest you and ask about DNA testing. Find your nearest clinic →
