Answers Before You Book

NorthStar Lab Services partners with full-service, AABB-accredited genetic identity laboratories that perform all testing. Every legal test follows a documented chain of custody.

Standard DNA results are ready in 3–5 business days after the lab receives the samples. Legal DNA tests run 5–7 business days. Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) takes 7–10 business days. Immigration timing depends on the receiving embassy. Rush processing is available for most tests at 24–48 hours.

Credit and debit cards, ACH transfer, and attorney trust account payments. Payment is due at the time of scheduling to reserve your appointment.

No. DNA testing is not typically covered by health insurance. We provide itemized receipts on request for FSA/HSA or attorney billing.

Yes. All results and case details are handled confidentially and released only to the parties named on your intake paperwork (or as required by court order).

Yes. Our office is in Saginaw, and we provide mobile collection statewide with transparent, tiered travel fees. See the Locations page for the full list of tiers.

Three things: analysis by an AABB-accredited laboratory (our partner lab), a documented chain of custody performed by a neutral third-party collector, and identity verification with government-issued photo ID at the collection. Home kits do not meet any of these requirements.

Yes. Our chain-of-custody legal DNA reports are accepted by Michigan Family Courts, the Friend of the Court, MDHHS, and Vital Records for custody, child support, birth certificate corrections, and probate matters.

No. Once the chain of custody is broken at the collection step, it cannot be reconstructed. If there is any chance you'll need the result in court, start with a legal test.

Yes for the child being tested. A parent or legal guardian must sign the intake paperwork on the minor's behalf and be present at the collection.

Because chain of custody is documented at every step, disputed cases are rare. If a dispute arises, the sealed sample records, collector notes, and lab data are all part of the case file and can be produced for the court.

It's optional but frequently recommended when documentary proof of a family relationship is incomplete. USCIS and U.S. embassies only accept results from AABB-accredited laboratories.

We ship the sealed, tamper-evident kit directly from our lab to the U.S. embassy or designated panel physician abroad. The beneficiary attends a scheduled appointment for their collection, and the samples are returned together for analysis.

Zone 1 and Zone 2 pricing reflects the cost of coordinating shipping and embassy communication for different regions. Your case coordinator will confirm your zone before you book.

No. Our collection fee covers the U.S.-side collection and embassy coordination. Laboratory analysis is billed separately and is the same regardless of zone.

Mobile collection travel is billed at flat rates by tier based on distance from Saginaw. All tiers are listed on the Locations page — no surprise mileage fees.

Most appointments can be scheduled within 2–3 business days. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available for urgent legal needs — call or text to confirm.

Yes. When multiple participants can be collected in a single visit at one location, we consolidate travel fees. This is common for sibling DNA testing and multi-participant immigration cases.

Yes — every county in Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula (Zone 6). Travel fees are transparent and quoted before you book.