Prenatal Paternity Testing in Minnesota

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 Minnesota, a court or county child‑support agency can order blood or genetic tests in a parentage case, and if accredited lab results show a 99% or greater probability of paternity there is an evidentiary presumption that the man is the biological father, as set out in Minn. Stat. § 257.62 on blood and genetic tests and summarized in resources on Minnesota legal DNA testing laws.

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 Minnesotans coordinate early testing with prenatal care through Medical Assistance (MA) or MinnesotaCare, which provide coverage for prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and postpartum care once a pregnancy is reported, as explained in the state eligibility manual on MA pregnancy eligibility and in consumer directories like If You Are Pregnant: A Directory of Services Available in Minnesota.

NIPP is considered low‑risk because it uses a routine maternal blood draw and avoids invasive procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. This blood‑based method fits with Minnesota’s emphasis on early and regular prenatal care supported by MA and MinnesotaCare, which can pay for prenatal visits, hospital delivery, dental care, mental‑health and substance‑use counseling, and prescriptions during pregnancy, as described by Portico Healthnet’s overview of healthcare in pregnancy and Blue Cross Minnesota’s maternal health program.

Legal prenatal paternity tests that follow strict chain‑of‑custody procedures can be used in Minnesota parentage and child‑support cases once the child is born. Minnesota law and court guidance explain that judges or child‑support agencies may order testing, that accredited lab results showing a 99% or greater probability of paternity create a presumption, and that parties may contest results only within strict time limits, as explained in Minn. Stat. § 257.62 and in the Judicial Branch’s resources on paternity cases.

Most private plans and Minnesota’s public programs (MA and MinnesotaCare) treat prenatal paternity testing as an elective, non‑covered service, even though they typically cover medically necessary prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services. Pregnant Minnesotans who meet income requirements can receive MA as soon as pregnancy is reported, and may qualify even if they already have other insurance, as outlined in the state’s MA pregnancy eligibility rules and consumer guides on healthcare in pregnancy.

Minnesota residents can access prenatal visits, hospital delivery, postpartum care, and newborn coverage through MA, MinnesotaCare, and local clinics, with directories and benefit descriptions provided in the state’s If You Are Pregnant booklet and Portico Healthnet’s pregnancy coverage guide. Health plans such as Blue Plus and Blue Cross Minnesota also offer extra maternity supports—like nurse hotlines, care coordinators, and rewards programs—through their maternal health program and “healthy pregnancy” initiatives.

For legal questions about custody, child support, or how DNA testing affects your parental rights, you can start with Minnesota DHS’s page on establishing parentage and county resources on determining the legal father. You can also review LawHelp Minnesota’s fact sheet on paternity and child custody and, when needed, consult a Minnesota family‑law attorney experienced in paternity cases, as described in practice guides like Guide to paternity law in Minnesota and how establishing paternity affects men’s rights.

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.