Prenatal Paternity Testing in Atlanta, GA

Non‑invasive prenatal paternity testing uses a standard blood draw from the pregnant mother and a cheek swab from the alleged father to compare the baby’s DNA to the father’s DNA markers, without disturbing the pregnancy. In Georgia, genetic testing is a primary tool for establishing legal paternity, and the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) can arrange DNA testing as part of its services, as described in its paternity establishment overview and administrative guidance on paternity establishment.

Most non‑invasive prenatal paternity tests can be performed starting around the 7th week of pregnancy, counted from the first day of your last menstrual period. Many Georgia families coordinate early testing with prenatal care through Medicaid’s Right from the Start Medicaid (RSM) and related programs, which cover prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and extended postpartum care as described in Family Medicaid for pregnant women and consumer guides on Georgia Medicaid options for women.

NIPP is considered low‑risk because it uses a routine maternal blood draw and avoids invasive procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. This blood‑based approach aligns with Georgia’s efforts to improve maternal health by expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months and enhancing prenatal services, as outlined in reports on Georgia’s Medicaid postpartum coverage extension.

Legal prenatal paternity tests that follow strict chain‑of‑custody procedures can be used in Georgia cases involving child support, custody, and inheritance once the child is born. Georgia and Social Security guidance note that reliable DNA evidence can be used to establish paternity in court and for benefits, as summarized in Georgia methods of establishing paternity and the SSA’s analysis of Georgia paternity and DNA‑testing rules.

Most private plans and Georgia Medicaid treat prenatal paternity testing as an elective, non‑covered service, even though Medicaid programs cover medically necessary prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services. Pregnant Georgians who qualify can receive full pregnancy and 12‑month postpartum coverage through Family Medicaid for pregnant women, and some may also be eligible for additional support through programs like Planning for Healthy Babies and managed‑care maternity benefits such as CareSource Pregnancy & Family Planning.

Georgia residents can access prenatal visits, ultrasounds, nutrition counseling, and home‑visiting services through RSM, Planning for Healthy Babies, and Medicaid managed‑care plans, with covered services and eligibility described in Family Medicaid for pregnant women and Medicaid options for women. Additional education and case‑management support is available through health‑plan maternity programs such as CareSource Pregnancy & Family Planning, which connects members to resources during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum.​

For legal questions about custody, child support, or how DNA testing affects your parental rights, you can review DCSS materials like the paternity establishment FAQ and explanations of the child‑support process in Georgia. You can also use GeorgiaLegalAid’s guide on what you should know about paternity and, when needed, work with a Georgia family‑law attorney experienced in paternity and legitimation cases, as described in resources on paternity vs. legitimation in Georgia.

No, previous pregnancies do not interfere with NIPP results. The test isolates fetal DNA specific to the current pregnancy, ensuring accurate results regardless of prior pregnancies.

Yes, testing is possible if potential fathers are related, but additional analysis may be required to distinguish between their DNA profiles. Informing the lab about this relationship ensures more precise testing.

No, since the multiples will share the same DNA, it will be impossible to determine how many & which is which.

Yes! Both legal and non-legal NIPP tests include free gender determination as part of your results package.