DNA Testing Using Hair
Get Reliable, Efficient and Accurate DNA Testing By A Trusted Source
How much does a hair DNA test cost?
Pricing for DNA Hair tests start at $299. Below are our testing options.
Need legal results? See our legal sibling testing below.
Hair DNA Testing Options:
A Hair DNA Test is a forensic test that uses hair follicle samples to help determine a biological relationship between a parent-child, sibling or a grandparent-grandchild relationship. See our testing options below:
Hair Paternity Test Kit (Father & Child) 1 hair follicle and 1 cheek swab samples
Hair Paternity Test Kit (Father & Child w/mother) 1 hair follicle and 1 cheek swab samples
Hair Paternity Test Kit (Father & Child) 2 hair follicle samples
Hair Grandparent DNA Test Kit (Grandparent & Grandchild) 1 hair follicle and 1 cheek swab samples
Hair Grandparent DNA Test Kit (Grandparent & Grandchild w/mother) 1 hair follicle and 1 cheek swab samples
Hair Grandparent DNA Test Kit ((Grandparent & Grandchild) 2 hair follicle samples
Hair Sibling DNA Test Kit (2 Siblings) 1 hair follicle and 1 cheek swab samples
Hair Sibling DNA Test Kit (2 Siblings w/mother) 1 hair follicle and 1 cheek swab samples
Hair Sibling DNA Test Kit (2 Siblings) 2 hair follicle samples
How to get an At-Home Hair DNA Test?
- Order your home hair DNA test kit from this page or call our office at 888-970-4211.
- Your kit will ship within 24 hours after purchase.
- When you receive the kit, follow the instructions to collect hair samples, sign the consent form, and place all materials in the prepaid envelope provided.
- Upon receipt of your DNA samples by the lab. Testing and analysis will begin.
- Upon completion of your analysis you will receive your results by mail and email.
How to collect hair follicle samples?
To collect hair follicle samples for DNA testing, you’ll need to follow these steps carefully to ensure the best results:
- Obtain hair with the root: The most crucial part is making sure each hair you collect includes the root (also known as the hair follicle or dermal papilla). This is where the necessary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is located. Without the root, DNA extraction for paternity or family relationship tests is not possible. You can use tweezers to pluck hairs directly from the body or retrieve them from a hairbrush, but always confirm the root is attached.
- Collect enough samples: For optimal results, aim to collect at least 10 hair follicles.
- Properly store and label: Once collected, place the hair samples in a paper envelope. Make sure to label the envelope clearly with the contributor’s name. It’s important to avoid using Ziploc bags or other plastic bags, as these can trap moisture and potentially damage the DNA samples.
Can you do a paternity test with hair?
Yes. A paternity test can be accurately performed using hair follicle samples. However, cheek swabs are the preferred method because they provide higher accuracy and reliability. Hair follicles may degrade over time, depending on how the samples are stored.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to receive my results?
Results are available within 2 to 3 business days from the date the lab receives all forensic and cheek swab samples.
Can my Hair test results be used for legal purposes in New Jersey?
Yes, hair test results can be accepted for legal purposes in New Jersey when two conditions are met:
- Court order from a judge
- Hair samples handled by unbiased third party (funeral home, coroner’s office, or hospital)
All testing performed by our partner AABB-accredited laboratory. The accreditation is necessary to perform legally admissible DNA test results.
Note: Legal chain of custody requirements require that hair samples intended for court use must be handled exclusively by these authorized third parties to ensure valid legal documentation
How accurate is a Hair DNA Test?
A Hair DNA Test’s accuracy depends on the quality of the hair sample. High-quality samples—specifically those including intact hair follicles—can yield accuracy rates up to 95%. Our partner lab follows strict protocols to minimize contamination and ensure reliable results.
While Hair DNA Testing can serve as an alternative when cheek swabs are not available, it is not 100% accurate due to factors such as sample condition and possible contamination.
We advise clients to understand these limitations and recommend hair DNA testing primarily when other sample types cannot be collected.
Can you get DNA from hair without the root?
For paternity testing, hair with the root attached is the best sample because it contains nuclear DNA. Nuclear DNA is required to accurately determine biological relationships since it is inherited from both parents and provides a unique genetic profile for each individual. Hair without the root usually lacks sufficient nuclear DNA for reliable paternity testing.
While it is possible to extract mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from hair without roots, mtDNA is inherited only from the mother and cannot distinguish between close relatives. Therefore, mtDNA is not used for paternity or other relationship testing.