OTHER RELATIONSHIP TESTING
There are many reasons why you might need to establish a DNA relationship between different people – alive, deceased, or simply not available for testing – who may or may not be related. These reasons range from wanting to have peace-of-mind to legal cases, such as custody challenges or inheritance claims.
We can help you put the pieces together.
Please email us at [email protected] and let us know your specific case. We’re happy to give no-obligation advice.

MTDNA TESTING
IDENTIFY YOUR DIRECT MATERNAL LINEAGE
Use | Legal or Peace-of-Mind |
Processing Time | approx. 1 month |
Accuracy | Varied based on who is available for testing and what relationship you are trying to establish |
Details | An mtDNA Test is a test used to identify your direct maternal lineage. The test analyzes your family tree, tracing backwards from a Child (male or female) to their Mother, then to their Mother’s Mother, and so on, to find out who shares the same mtDNA. mtDNA stands for Mitochondrial DNA – maternal DNA – and is only passed down from Mother to Child (both sons and daughters). However, even though males posses mtDNA, as Fathers, they do not pass it on to their children. Before purchasing this test, it is important to contact us first, to discuss your requirements and whether this is the right test for you. |
Price | THB 19,700 (for Legal Tests, an additional Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Fee is paid directly to your sample collector) |
TEST DETAILS
mtDNA stands for Mitochondrial DNA – maternal DNA. This type of DNA is only passed down from Mother to Child (to both sons and daughters). However, even though males posses mtDNA, as Fathers, they do not pass it on to their children. mtDNA has an extremely slow mutation rate, meaning that it remains nearly identical after many generations. It is this characteristic that is used to identify a person’s maternal lineage.
This test is primarily used to determine distant maternal ancestry. In Relationship Testing, it can be used as part of family reconstruction cases, and in particular, to see whether a person comes from the maternal line of a family tree. It is also commonly used to determine the likelihood of inheriting a certain genetic condition/disease.
A simple mouth swab is all that is needed to get a DNA sample. In some cases, we can accept unusual samples, however this is on a case-by-case basis and not all unusual samples can be used. Furthermore, prices vary depending on the type of sample supplied. Please contact us if you need to use an unusual sample for an mtDNA Test.
Before purchasing this test, it is important to contact us first, to discuss your requirements and whether this is the right test for you.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TEST PRICE?
Whether you need a Peace-of-Mind (At-Home) Test, or a Legal (Chain-of-Custody) Test, the actual lab testing and analysis is identical, with the same level of rigorous testing methods. The only difference for a legal test is in how your samples are collected (see below).
The price for this test includes:
- 24/7 personal customer support in English and Thai.
- DNA Sample Collection Kit, containing everything you or your sample collector need to collect samples and complete paperwork. Note that this test fee does not include the Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Fee for legal sample collection, which is paid directly to your sample collector. Please see below for extra information regarding Legal Tests and the additional Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Fee.
- One (1) shipment of your samples (up to 0.5 kg in one shipment) by first-class, international priority courier to our lab in the USA.
- Testing of DNA samples provided on cotton tip for one (1) person (male or female). To test additional people, you will need to purchase a second mtDNA Test. In some cases, we can accept unusual samples, however this is on a case-by-case basis and not all unusual samples can be used. Furthermore, prices vary depending on the type of sample supplied. Please contact us if you need to use an unusual sample for an mtDNA Test.
- One (1) original, notarized English-language report.
- Emailed results as soon as they are ready.
- Posting of hard-copy, notarized results to anywhere in the world by regular mail. To express the postage of your hard-copy results, you can upgrade to first-class, international priority courier. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY (CoC) OF SAMPLES FOR LEGAL TESTS
Tests required for legal or official purposes must follow a strict chain-of-custody of the samples, and will incur an additional Chain-of-Custody fee, which is payable directly to your sample collector. This fee covers the collection of DNA samples by a certified, independent third party, the chain-of-custody of samples, and the identification verification process. Learn more about chain-of-custody of samples in our FAQ.
Following this process means your notarized result report will also be recognized as an official, legal document (note that foreign-issued legal documents used in Thailand also need to be authenticated after they are issued. Learn more about the difference between notarized, legal, and authenticated results in our FAQ.)
The sample collector could be your own doctor (with pre-clearance from PTC), one of our world-wide, certified collection centers, or a PTC representative from our Bangkok office.
- If you will visit our Bangkok office for your sample collection, or if one of our Bangkok PTC representatives will visit you at your home, hotel, or hospital, you can add the payment for Legal Sample Collection by PTC option to your order. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
- For all other sample collections, you must pay your sample collector directly. Contact us if you need more information or need to find a certified sample collector near you.
- A mtDNA DNA Test can be used for your own peace-of-mind (you collect your own samples), or for legal, official purposes (your samples must follow a strict strict chain-of-custody procedure, meaning the DNA is collected by a certified, independent third party, and your identity has been verified and documented). Learn more about the difference between legal testing and peace-of-mind testing in our FAQ.
- If you plan to use your results for any legal or official purpose in Thailand or Taiwan, there is an Authentication Process that must be followed, and we can take case of the whole process both in the USA and in Thailand. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
- Our results are accepted in many countries around the world for Immigration and other official purposes. If you are using your results for Immigration purposes, please read our section on Immigration Testing, and contact us for more information about your specific Embassy, as some Embassies require you to first make an application with them, before doing a DNA Test.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY RESULTS?
- Testing times can vary depending on the samples provided. Generally, for tests with good oral samples, it will take approx. 1 month. Tests using unusual samples will take longer. This includes both the time it takes to send your samples to our lab in the USA (2 business days) by first-class, international priority courier, and also the testing time at our lab.
- There are no express testing options for this type of test.
- Your results will be sent to you immediately by email. Your physical results will be sent to your via regular post and will arrive in Thailand approximately 2 weeks after you receive your emailed results.
- If you’re in a hurry, you can also opt to have your results sent via first-class, international priority courier for an additional fee, and your results will arrive within approximately 2 business days. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
WHAT IS THE GUARANTEED PROBABILITY OF THIS TEST?
Due to the nature of this test, and the number of variables involved, there is a varying degree of the probability of relationship for mtDNA Tests. The results will depend heavily on whose DNA samples have been provided for testing, and what type of relationship you are trying to determine.
These tests involve complex genetic analysis and two cases are rarely the same. We are happy to discuss this further with you.
WHAT KIND OF DNA SAMPLES CAN I USE?
- Samples are usually collected using buccal swabs (sterile Q-Tip/cotton tip) – which are provided in our DNA Sample Collection Kits – by swabbing the inside of the cheek. If you are collecting your own samples for a Peace-of-Mind (PoM) Test, you can view our sample collection guidelines here.
- If normal samples are not possible to obtain, in some cases, we can accept unusual samples, however this is on a case-by-case basis and not all unusual samples can be used. Furthermore, prices vary depending on the type of sample supplied. Please contact us if you need to use an unusual sample for an mtDNA Test.
DNA TESTING FOR LEGAL PURPOSES
In order for a DNA test to be used for legal purposes, certain processes and requirements must be met.
- The DNA samples must be collected by a certified, independent third party.
- This sample collector must also be able to testify in court that they collected samples correctly.
- The DNA samples must follow a strict Chain of Custody procedure, from the point of sample collection, all the way to testing at our laboratory.
- It is also important that the people being tested are never left alone with their samples.
- The people being tested have had their identities verified.
- To prevent someone providing samples on behalf of someone else, we must verify the people being tested are who they say they are.
- This calls for additional paperwork, ID, photographs, thumbprints, contact details, and more.
- Nothing. The actual testing / analysis of DNA for a Legal (Chain-of-Custody) Test and a Peace-of-Mind (PoM) Test is identical. Both undergo the same rigorous testing, both are guaranteed at a minimum of 99.99%, and both are issued with notarized result reports.
- The difference is that Legal DNA Tests have had DNA samples collected by a certified independent third party and have followed chain-of-custody. Furthermore, the people being tested must have their identity verified and documented.
- However, in a PoM Test, you can collect your own samples and send them to us for testing. Therefore, a PoM Test cannot be used for immigration, custody or any other legal purposes because the above three criteria have not been met.
When you go to your sample collection appointment, be sure to bring:
- Photo ID
- Birth Certificate for children
At your appointment, we will:
- Take copies of your Photo ID / Birth Certificate.
- Get thumbprints (or for babies we sometimes get footprints) of all people being tested.
- Take a ‘mug shot’ of all people being tested.
- Fill out consent forms and other paperwork.
- We are one of the very few foreign laboratories that can issue results that are accepted in Thailand, as well as abroad.
- If you were to take paternity test with the Thai Police Hospital, your results do not need to be authenticated. However, it usually a minimum of four months to get your results with the Thai Police Hospital, and your results won’t be accepted outside of Thailand. There are currently no AABB-accredited DNA laboratories based in Thailand.