Last updated: March 2026
How Much Does Paternity Test Cost?
Cost Breakdown by Type
| Type / Procedure | Without Insurance | With Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| At-Home Paternity Test (non-legal) | $60 – $200 | $60 – $200 |
| Legal Paternity Test (court-admissible) | $300 – $500 | $300 – $500 |
| Prenatal Paternity Test (non-invasive) | $1,500 – $2,500 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Court-Ordered Paternity Test | $300 – $600 | $300 – $600 |
CPT/ADA Code: CPT 81265
What Affects the Cost
- Facility type (freestanding center vs. hospital — hospitals cost 2-3x more)
- Geographic location
- Complexity of the visit or test
- Whether additional tests or procedures are needed
- In-network vs. out-of-network provider
- Time of day (emergency/after-hours may cost more)
Insurance Coverage
Typical coverage: Not covered by insurance; considered non-medical/elective
Most diagnostic tests and urgent care visits are covered when medically necessary with a doctor's order. You'll pay your deductible first, then coinsurance (typically 20-40%). Preventive screenings are covered at $0 under the ACA. Always use in-network providers to avoid surprise bills.
How to Save Money
- Freestanding facilities cost 50-70% less than hospital-based
- Ask for cash-pay pricing upfront — often 40-60% less than billed rate
- Compare prices on MDsave.com or Healthcare Bluebook
- Use urgent care instead of ER for non-emergencies (save $1,000+)
- Telehealth visits cost $50-$100 for many conditions
- Check if the service qualifies as preventive care ($0 with insurance)
Related Procedures & Costs
Frequently Asked Questions
At-home kits cost $60-$200 (plus $100-$200 lab fee). Legal/court-admissible tests cost $300-$500 with chain-of-custody documentation. Non-invasive prenatal paternity tests cost $1,500-$2,500.
DNA paternity tests are 99.99% accurate for confirming paternity and 100% accurate for excluding a man as the father. Both cheek swab and blood-based methods are equally accurate.
Yes. Non-invasive prenatal paternity tests (NIPP) use a blood draw from the mother and cheek swab from the potential father. They are available after 7-8 weeks of pregnancy and are 99.9% accurate.