Which Laboratory Should You Choose for a DNA Test? Criteria, Accreditations and Pitfalls to Avoid

Choosing a DNA testing laboratory is a crucial step. The result can have emotional, family-related and sometimes administrative consequences.

Yet not all laboratories offer the same services or the same guarantees. Between parentage tests (paternity, maternity and sibling tests), ancestry DNA tests, health-focused tests and certain types of inherited disease screening, it is essential to understand what you are buying, how your data will be handled and which accreditations genuinely support quality.

In this guide, we explain:

• how to define your goal clearly, whether you need a relationship test or an ancestry test;

• which criteria to use when comparing laboratories;

• which accreditations to check;

• how to recognise a fair price without falling for hidden charges;

• and how to choose a provider you can genuinely trust.

What does a genetic laboratory do?

Genetic laboratories specialise in the study of DNA and genes using advanced analytical techniques. They may offer a range of DNA tests, including:

• paternity tests and other family relationship tests;

• ancestry or genealogy tests;

• some health-focused or predisposition tests;

• screening or diagnostic tests for certain inherited conditions, depending on the country and the regulatory setting.

These analyses can help you to:

• clarify a biological relationship;

• explore your origins;

• or obtain information about certain genetic risks.

Which DNA test should you choose before choosing the laboratory?

This is the most important point: there is no single “best laboratory” in absolute terms. The right choice is the laboratory that matches your objective.

On InfoTestADN, we mainly distinguish between ancestry DNA testing and relationship DNA tests.

1) Ancestry DNA tests

These tests rely on each company’s own database to provide:

• an estimate of your origins;

• genetic matches with people who are close to you in that database.

Quality depends in particular on:

• the size and diversity of the database;

• the method used to analyse the DNA;

• the clarity of the reports.

2) Relationship DNA tests

These tests are used to establish a biological relationship between two or more people.

One key point: a relationship test is not carried out on one person alone. The DNA must be compared with that of another family member an alleged father, alleged mother, brother, sister or another relative depending on the question you need answered. If your question specifically concerns parentage, our page on paternity testing explains the main uses of this type of analysis.

The essential criteria for choosing a DNA testing laboratory

If you want to compare laboratories properly, it helps to look at several criteria rather than focusing only on the advertised price.

1) How long has the company been operating?

A laboratory or provider that has been established for many years often offers:

• greater stability;

• a more structured customer service process;

• smoother logistics;

• and better-controlled procedures.

This does not guarantee everything, but it is a useful sign.

2) Is the laboratory accredited?

Accreditation is one of the most important criteria.

An accredited laboratory will usually have its methods assessed by an independent third party, which strengthens the quality and reproducibility of its analyses. In the UK, UKAS explains how laboratory accreditation works, and for a broader overview you can also read our guide to laboratory accreditation and reliability.

3) What is the real price and are there hidden fees?

DNA tests can be expensive.

But the most expensive option is not always the best. On the other hand, a very low price should make you cautious.

In particular, check for:

• postage or shipping charges;

• extra kit fees;

• fees for additional participants;

• optional services such as urgent processing, faster results or translation;

• charges linked to non-standard samples.

4) What do the terms and conditions say?

Before ordering, read — or at least scan — the provider’s:

• cancellation policy;

• policy on whether results are guaranteed;

• privacy policy;

• rules on data retention or destruction;

• refund terms.

Trust: an underestimated criterion

It matters that the laboratory inspires confidence.

That often comes down to:

• the quality of the follow-up;

• the clarity of the answers you receive;

• whether deadlines are respected;

• and how problems are handled.

How to read customer reviews intelligently

Negative reviews often carry more weight than positive ones.

The right approach is to:

• look for detailed comments rather than one-line opinions;

• check whether the issue seems isolated or recurring;

• distinguish between a genuine procedural problem and disappointment caused by an expected result not being confirmed.

Be careful with rock-bottom prices: if your aim is to answer an important family question, saving money at all costs may end up costing more later if you need to repeat the test, collect new samples or delay a legal or administrative process.

Transparency is often what makes the difference

A serious laboratory should be transparent about:

• the testing procedure;

• what the test can conclude — and what it cannot;

• how genetic data is handled;

• how long it is retained;

• and how deletion can be requested.

You can often judge transparency by looking at:

• the website itself;

• the quality of the support team;

• and the provider’s ability to answer straightforward questions clearly.

Tip: do not hesitate to contact several laboratories before making your choice.

Accreditations: which ones should you check — and why?

A laboratory may display several standards or reference points. The goal is not to choose the one with the most logos, but the one whose accreditations actually make sense for the test you need.

ISO/IEC 17025

This is an international standard used to assess the technical competence of laboratories.

ILAC: international recognition of accreditations

ILAC (the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) supports the international recognition of certain accreditations. If a result may need to be understood or accepted in a cross-border setting, this can strengthen the credibility of the accreditations shown by the laboratory.

AABB (paternity / immigration)

AABB is still widely cited as an important reference for relationship testing, especially in some international or immigration-related contexts.

National approvals and official authorities

Some countries require a specific framework. If your goal is legal, you need to check the procedure that applies.

In England and Wales, GOV.UK states that a DNA test for use in court must be carried out by a Ministry of Justice-accredited laboratory. So if you need a court-admissible result, an ordinary at-home process is not enough.

Keep in mind as well that some laboratories may also mention ISO 9001, which relates to quality management systems. That can be a positive sign, but it does not replace technical accreditation for DNA analysis. Likewise, if a provider stores or transfers data internationally, it should explain clearly which safeguards apply and how your genetic data can be deleted on request.

In summary: how to choose quickly

Before ordering, use this checklist:

• Define your goal clearly: ancestry or relationship testing.

• Check the laboratory’s accreditation and overall reliability.

• Confirm the real price and the options included.

• Read the terms and conditions, especially privacy, retention and cancellation rules.

• Assess the quality of support and the provider’s transparency.

• For important family tests, choose a laboratory you genuinely trust.

Conclusion

Choosing a DNA testing laboratory is not just about finding the lowest price. The right choice depends on your objective, the laboratory’s accreditations, the transparency of its procedures, the way it handles genetic data and the quality of the support you receive.

If the result could affect your family life, your peace of mind or a legal process, take the time to compare laboratories properly before ordering.