How Much Does a DNA Test for a Child Cost?

There are a number of reasons you may want a DNA test for a child. This might include for genealogy purposes, health concerns and possibly questions regarding parentage.

In this post we will take a look at all of the types of DNA testing for children and how much they cost.

AncestryDNA is Our Top Recommendation

After reviewing all of the top DNA products on the market, nothing comes close to AncestryDNA to help you discover your whole family story!

They give you so much more than any other family tree DNA kit, and let you connect to the places you're from in the world where your family story started, and even help you to discover living relatives you never knew you had!

For the most accurate family history research based on your DNA, sign up for AncestryDNA now!

Get AncestryDNA →

Are DNA tests for Children Different than for Adults?

In almost all potential DNA testing there is no difference in DNA tests for children and adults as such sadly there is no child discount for DNA testing. You will spend the same on a test for your child as you would yourself.

The reason being that whether it’s a child’s DNA or an adult's DNA there is very little difference. The DNA in our newborn child is largely the same as the DNA that will be in them when they are 80 or 90 years old. Our DNA can experience mutations throughout our lives but never to such a degree as to noticeably change for testing.

There is however one test that can only be done on unborn children. This will be mentioned later in the post.

How Much Do Genealogy DNA Tests Cost?

Those looking to add their child’s DNA to their search for family history information will find the cost to be the same as with adults. It is always beneficial to add close family members to the list of people who have tested their DNA.

There may be some question as to whether it’s technically ethical to test your child’s DNA for such a purpose or if it might be better to wait until they are old enough to decide if they want such a test. It may seem a bit dramatic to even think that way but in truth some people do not want their DNA out there on sites like AncestryDNA or 23andMe.

If you do decide to test your child’s DNA the table below will give you some idea about the cost of genealogy based testing and what is available.

Company Available Tests and Costs
AncestryDNA Basic Autosomal DNA test $99 + shipping
MyHeritage Basic Autosomal DNA test $89 + shipping
LivingDNA Basic Autosomal DNA Test $99 + shippingWellbeing Kit for Health $129 + shippingWellbeing and Ancestry $149 + shipping
23andMe Ancestry and Traits test $99 + shippingHealth and Ancestry $199 + shippingHealth & Ancestry $228 + shippingW 1 year membership
FamilyTreeDNA Ancestry test $79 +shippingAncestry and Health $119 + shippingmtDNA (maternal) test $159 + shippingY-37 (paternal) test $119 + shippingY-111 (paternal) test $249 + shippingBig Y-700 (paternal) test $449 + shipping

These prices are the current full cost for these specific sites as of Jun 2022. Most of these companies will offer seasonal discounts to drive sales. Good times to find discounts are around the holidays as well as near Father's Day and Mother's Day.

DNA Testing for Health

You may be interested in any health risk factors your child may have and be considering a DNA test for overall health results. Companies such as 23andMe, LivingDNA and FamilyTreeDNA offer DNA health tests that can indicate a number of health aspects.

General pricing for such tests from genealogy websites ranges from $119 - $199. This may also include a genealogy analysis as well or sometimes genetic traits. There are however some Health specific websites you might want to try.

These specific sites specialize in the health aspects of DNA and may even look for very specific conditions. Again the prices for these tests can vary on what you are looking to find out. It is best to do your research and find a reputable company that is testing for the things you are most interested in.

DNA Testing for Paternity

This is the most common reason children receive DNA testing as sometimes there is a legal need to prove parentage. There are several ways to get this type of testing done so there are some varying prices.

At-Home Testing Kits

The cheapest, albeit least official way to test your child’s DNA for the purposes of determining paternity is an in-home DNA test kit. These are available online or in drugstores and range from $40 - $150 on average. There are tests that can determine both paternity and maternity if needed and these are closer to $220.

As mentioned these types of tests are not generally legally binding as by nature there is no solid chain of evidence. They would therefore not stand up in most courts as proof of paternity

In Lab Paternity Testing

Those who need to be able to prove legally who a child’s parent or parents are would need to have an official DNA test taken. This would require all parties being tested to attend a collection facility. Proof of ID and often fingerprints are required as well to complete the process.

This type of testing can range from $400 - $800 and is generally performed using either cheek swabs or sometimes blood testing. The reason for the costs, as mentioned earlier in this post, is that in order for this test to be admissible in court you need a clear chain of evidence.

Prenatal DNA Testing

I mentioned earlier a test for unborn children and this is that test. Sometimes the tension surrounding paternity issues is such that there will be a push to have a prenatal DNA Test. It should be noted that is a dangerous test which can sometimes result in miscarriage or other complications.

The process involves passing a needle through the abdomen and into the womb where either cells from the placenta or amniotic fluid is collected as the DNA sample. This is considered a non-essential procedure so generally is not covered by health insurance.

In terms of price the extraction procedure and the actual DNA testing combined can cost between $1000 - $2000. If for some reason the mother requires an amniocentesis for reasons that are covered by insurance the DNA test could be performed at that time decreasing the overall cost.

Conclusion

Generally speaking the cost of DNA tests for children are exactly the same as those for adults. Sadly there’s no kids menu when it comes to DNA because performing the test on children or adults essentially costs exactly the same for the companies.

The only unique test that can be performed on a child that can not be performed in an adult is a prenatal DNA test. This is performed while the child is still in the womb and can be a dangerous procedure.

Neil Edwards

Neil Edwards

Genealogist and family-tree research specialist

Neil was born in Shropshire, England surrounded by centuries of living history. His interest in the past has been a lifelong passion leading to undergraduate degrees in both Economic History & Geography and History & Politics.

This interest in history quickly translated to family history when he moved to the U.S. in 2010. It was here that he began working on his own family tree as well as that of his American wife. That research allowed him to gain a wealth of experience working with both U.S. and European genealogical documents and studying their best uses in researching family history.

Following 9 years of honing his genealogical research skills, Neil was proud to have earned a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University in late 2019. Neil also took part in the research process for a Duke University study into the families of 19th Century UK Members of Parliament.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spent a lot of time downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

  • "How Much Does a DNA Test for a Child Cost?". NameCensus.com. Accessed on March 19, 2024. https://namecensus.com/blog/how-much-does-a-dna-test-for-a-child-cost/.

  • "How Much Does a DNA Test for a Child Cost?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/blog/how-much-does-a-dna-test-for-a-child-cost/. Accessed 19 March, 2024

  • How Much Does a DNA Test for a Child Cost?. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from https://namecensus.com/blog/how-much-does-a-dna-test-for-a-child-cost/.