How soon can a paternity test be preformed?

Paternity testing can potentially be performed as early as 8 weeks into pregnancy through a non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPT). This type of test analyzes cell-free DNA in the pregnant mother's blood, which contains DNA from both the mother and the fetus. By sequencing and analyzing this DNA, it can be possible to determine the paternity of the child.

It is important to note that NIPT is not widely available and is still under development. It is typically performed in certain medical situations or when there are concerns about the paternity of the child. Additionally, NIPT can have limitations and may not be conclusive in all cases.

Traditional paternity testing is typically performed after the baby is born. It involves analyzing DNA samples from the child, the alleged father, and sometimes the mother. This type of testing is highly accurate and can provide conclusive results in most cases.