What Our Clients Say
Trusted by Families Across South Carolina
Legal vs Home Tests
What Makes a Legal Paternity DNA Test Different from a Home Test
This is the question we hear most often in Columbia. People call us after buying a home kit online, getting results, and then finding out those results can’t be used in court. That’s a frustrating spot to be in.
A home paternity test tells you something privately. That’s it. But no court in Richland County or anywhere else will accept it — because there’s no proof of who actually provided those samples. Nobody verified identities. Nobody watched the collection happen. The chain of custody doesn’t exist.
A legal test is a completely different process. Every step is documented and witnessed by a trained collector. We come directly to you, anywhere in the Midlands, and handle the entire collection on-site. We verify each participant’s identity with a government-issued photo ID, photograph everyone involved, collect the DNA samples, seal them in tamper-evident packaging, and document every transfer from the moment we arrive until the lab receives the specimens.
If there’s any chance your results need to stand up in a legal matter — skip the home kit entirely. Call us at 803-766-0036 and we’ll get it done right the first time.
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$349
Per Test |
2–3 Days
Results Turnaround |
99.9%
Accuracy Rate |
AABB
Accredited Labs Only |
24/7
Available |
Legal Paternity DNA Testing — Columbia SC & the Midlands
Get Court-Admissible Results In Three Simple Steps
We come to you — your home, office, or any location in Columbia and the Midlands.
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Start With a FREE ConsultationReceive a free consultation with one of our DNA experts. We’ll confirm which test you need and walk you through the process. |
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We Come to You for CollectionOur certified collector arrives at your location with all supplies and chain-of-custody paperwork. The swab takes about five minutes per person. |
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Receive Court-Admissible ResultsResults delivered securely within 2–3 business days. Ready to submit to Richland County Family Court, USCIS, or any requesting agency. |
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Common Reasons Why Columbia Residents Request a Legal Paternity Test
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Child Support Cases — Richland County Family Court requires court-admissible paternity before issuing a support order.
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Custody Disputes — Establishing paternity to have a say in custody or to contest another party’s claims.
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Immigration Cases — USCIS requires DNA evidence with strict chain-of-custody to establish biological relationships.
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Inheritance & Estate Cases — Proving biological relationships before an estate is settled.
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Veterans & Benefits — Establishing paternity for Social Security survivor benefits or VA claims. |
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The Collection Process Quick, Painless & Done at Your LocationThe actual swab collection takes about five minutes per person. No needles, no blood, no discomfort. Our certified collector uses a sterile cheek swab, seals your samples in tamper-evident packaging, and completes all chain-of-custody paperwork on the spot. Every sample is photographed and documented before it leaves your location. Once it reaches our AABB accredited lab, results are back in 2–3 business days. Call us at 803-766-0036 to schedule today. |
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The Answers You Need Results in 2–3 Business Days — Court-Admissible & SecureOnce your samples reach our AABB accredited lab, results come back in 2–3 business days. Your report is delivered securely and is ready to submit to Richland County Family Court, USCIS, or any requesting agency the moment you receive it. Have questions after your results arrive? Call us at 803-766-0036 — we’ll walk you through every line of the report. |
Before Your Appointment
How to Prepare for Your Paternity DNA Test
There’s very little you need to do before your appointment. Our team brings all supplies, paperwork, and chain-of-custody documents directly to your location. Here’s all you need:
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Valid Photo IDGovernment-issued ID required for every adult being tested. |
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All Parties PresentChild, alleged father, and ideally the mother all present at the same time. |
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No Eating 30 Min PriorAvoid food, drink, gum, or tobacco 30 minutes before collection. |
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Choose Your LocationWe come to your home, office, or any location in the Midlands. |
Know Which Test You Need
Legal vs Non-Legal Paternity DNA Test
⚖️ Legal Paternity TestRequired when results must be used for official or legal purposes. ✓Accepted by courts & government agencies
✓Identity verification required
✓Collected by certified professional
✓Chain-of-custody documentation
✓Valid for child support, custody, immigration
$349
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🏠 Non-Legal (Peace of Mind)Used for personal knowledge only — same DNA analysis, different process. ✓Personal or private confirmation
✓No identity verification required
✓Faster and more convenient
✗Not valid for court use
✗Cannot be used for legal proceedings
$299 Learn more →
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Book Online
Schedule Your Legal Paternity DNA Test
We come to you anywhere in Columbia, Lexington, or the Midlands. Available 24/7 — same-day scheduling available. $349 per test.
Columbia, SC — Available 24/7
Ready to Get Your Legal Paternity Test?
We come to you anywhere in South Carolina. AABB accredited labs. Court-admissible results in 2–3 business days. $349 — no hidden fees.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my legal paternity DNA test appointment in Columbia?
You need a valid government-issued photo ID for every adult being tested. That’s the most important thing. At Odosek Lab Solutions, we come directly to you anywhere in the Midlands — you don’t visit a lab. We bring all supplies, paperwork, and chain-of-custody documents with us. Just make sure the child, the alleged father, and ideally the mother are all present at the same time.
How long does it take to get results from a legal paternity test in Columbia?
Most clients in Columbia receive their results within 2–3 business days after we collect samples. Results come directly from our AABB-accredited lab. Once you have them, they are ready to submit to Richland County Family Court, USCIS, or any other legal body that requires them.
Can a home DNA test be used in Columbia family court?
No, a home DNA test cannot be used in Richland County Family Court or any South Carolina court. Courts require strict chain-of-custody documentation that home kits simply do not provide. Nobody verifies identities or watches the collection happen with a home kit. At Odosek Lab Solutions, we follow AABB-accredited protocols on every case.
Do all parties have to be in the same location for the paternity test?
Ideally, yes — the child, alleged father, and mother should all be present at the same time and place. This makes the process faster and cleaner. But if someone is in a different part of the Midlands, we can schedule separate collection appointments for them. Call us and we’ll work out the logistics.
What makes Odosek Lab Solutions different for legal paternity testing in Columbia?
We come directly to you — your home, your office, or any location in Columbia SC and the Midlands. You don’t deal with waiting rooms or scheduling around a lab’s hours. We’re available 24/7, including same-day appointments. Every collection follows AABB-accredited chain-of-custody protocols, and results are delivered securely within 2–3 business days.
Can a legal paternity test in Columbia be used for immigration cases?
Yes, legal paternity tests done through Odosek Lab Solutions meet the documentation requirements for USCIS immigration petitions. We follow the specific protocols required for immigration DNA testing, including proper chain-of-custody procedures and AABB-accredited laboratory analysis. Call us to discuss your specific case requirements.
Odosek Lab Solutions only uses AABB accredited facilities to conduct legal chain-of-custody testing, with scientific experts that ensure genetic testing results you can trust.
