Service description
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) performs DNA testing to determine biological parenthood at the request of a private individual, for example when there is uncertainty or ambiguity regarding paternity, and the child supervisor does not have the authority to order the test, nor is the parenthood matter before a court.
The test can only be carried out if the person being tested, or the guardian or other legal representative of a child under 15 years of age, voluntarily gives consent to the test.
Privacy notice for a DNA test requested by a private individual
Important information about the service
The test is carried out in accordance with the Act on Forensic Genetic Parenthood Test (378/2005), but it is not a statutory test since the Act applies only to tests ordered by child supervisors or mandated by a court.
The result of the test never, by itself, leads to any change in an existing legal parenthood status (the establishment or annulment of parenthood). The Parenthood Act 775/2022 contains the provisions on the establishment and annulment of parenthood.
Who we provide the service for
The service is offered to private individuals who wish, at their own expense, to request a DNA test to determine biological parentage. If you wish to request the test, please contact THL’s forensic genetics team (contact details are provided at the bottom of the page). We will send you all the necessary documents and sampling material packages if the test can be carried out at the request of a private individual.
Read also: Sample taking
Please also contact the forensic genetics team if you wish to inquire about an test other than one between a child and a parent / a possible parent (full siblings, half siblings, aunt, uncle). THL does not perform any other kinship analyses than those mentioned above. A close kinship test is only possible if the parent / possible parent is deceased. If the parent / possible parent is alive, an examination between the child and the parent / possible parent can be performed.
An aunt or uncle must be a full sibling of the parent / possible parent. Please note that a kinship test is not as informative as a paternity or maternity test between a child and a parent / possible parent, and the test does not always provide a definitive answer to the question of kinship.
What you can expect from us
The test is usually completed within two weeks. In tests involving close kinship, the processing time may be longer. THL sends the required number of test reports as a cash on delivery (COD) shipment to the party who requested the test. The person who requested the test forwards the results to the persons tested as well as to those who have given their consents for the test of persons under 15 years of age. All persons entitled for the results can also obtain their own copy directly from the THL, after the COD has been claimed by the person requesting the test.
The forensic chemistry unit is a T077 testing laboratory accredited by the FINAS accreditation service. The unit is accredited according to the standard SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and its scope of competence can be seen on the FINAS website.
Fees and Charges
The test is subject to a fee. The price of the test at THL is €251.00 per person tested (including 25.5% VAT). Thus, for example, the test of two individuals costs €502.00. The person requesting the test is responsible for the costs. In addition, the sampling place, which is most often a laboratory at a private medical clinic, charges sampling fees according to its own price list.
How to use the service and contact us
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Forensic Genetics
P.O. Box 30
00271 Helsinki
e-mail: vanhemmuustutkimus(at)thl.fi
tel: 029 524 8900
Marjo Avela
Chief Specialist
[email protected]
tel: 029 524 8723
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