Nail Clipping DNA Test

For just $49 plus the cost of your chosen DNA relationship test, a nail clipping DNA test offers a discreet, alternative method of DNA sample collection where retrieving a cheek swab sample from all test participants might not be possible, with results in just 5 business days.

We’re proud to offer 100% accurate results based on samples we receive into our laboratory – for nail DNA testing and DNA relationship testing. We’re also ISO 17025 and BBB A+ accredited, so you can be confident that your DNA test is in good hands.

A nail clipping DNA test is a type of viability study, which involves extracting a DNA profile from nail clippings for the purpose of performing a DNA relationship test.

A DNA relationship test is usually performed by collecting cheek swab samples from two or more sample donors and comparing each person’s DNA profile to verify a biological relationship.

However, with a nail DNA test, our geneticists will attempt to extract a DNA profile from fingernail clippings and/or toenail clippings instead of a cheek swab sample.

If a DNA profile can be retrieved from the nail clippings, a DNA relationship test can then be performed by analyzing and comparing the DNA profile from the nail clippings with the DNA profiles of the other test participants obtained via cheek swabs.

If a DNA profile cannot be retrieved from the nail clippings, we will contact you to refund the cost of your DNA relationship test.

Please note a refund will not be possible for the laboratory work already undertaken while performing the viability study on the nail clippings.

In just a few simple steps, you can get a DNA relationship test without the need for all participants to submit cheek swab samples.

We’re proud to offer 100% accurate results based on samples we receive into our laboratory – for nail DNA testing and DNA relationship testing.

We’re also ISO 17025 and BBB A+ accredited, so you can be confident that your DNA test is in good hands.

Once you have placed your order, your test kit will be sent out immediately in discreet, plain packaging.

Your test kit will contain everything you need to return your nail clippings to our laboratory, and to perform the subsequent DNA relationship test using cheek swabs, assuming a profile can be extracted from the nail clippings.

Here’s how an AlphaBiolabs Nail Clipping DNA Test works:

• Order your Nail Clipping DNA Test for $49

  This cost covers a viability study on the nail clippings. Our scientists will work to extract a DNA profile from the nail clippings provided. If you want to send the nail clippings of more than one person (e.g. from multiple children) please select this option while placing your order (additional fee applies)

• You will also need to choose the DNA relationship test that you want (e.g. paternity, maternity, sibling).Please note that this DNA relationship test can ONLY be performed if a DNA profile can be extracted from the nail clippings
• Follow the instructions provided in your test kit to collect cheek swab samples and return them to our laboratory, together with the nail clippings
• Once received, our scientists will work to extract a DNA profile from the nail clippings provided
• If a DNA profile can be retrieved from the nail clippings, we can then proceed with your chosen DNA relationship test
• We will analyze and compare the cheek swab DNA samples with the DNA profile from the nail clippings, to determine whether the tested individuals are related
• You’ll receive your results in just 5 business days

You may want a nail clipping DNA test if:

• You are looking to perform a DNA relationship test (e.g. paternity test) on a slightly older child, where the use of a cheek swab could lead to awkward questions.

  A nail DNA test is ideal if you want to collect a DNA sample in a subtle manner, from a child under the age of 16.

  Any person aged 16 or over must provide their own consent (a signature) for their DNA sample to be used in testing.

  However, for children under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian with parental responsibility can provide consent on behalf of the child undertaking the DNA test.

• You want to perform a DNA relationship test on someone who has passed away.

  It is not possible to collect a cheek swab sample from a deceased person. However, DNA can be collected from the deceased’s nail clippings if the next of kin provide consent.

  In this instance, the nail clippings (usually toenail clippings) would need to be collected by the coroner or funeral director for use in the test.

  If a DNA profile for the deceased person can be extracted from the nail clippings, this profile can then be used to verify a biological relationship to a living relative, using a DNA relationship test (and cheek swabs from the living relative).

Please note: our Nail Clipping DNA Test is for peace of mind only and cannot be used in court.

It’s easy to order your Nail Clipping DNA Test online now.

For confidential advice on whether this test is right for you, you can also email our Customer Services team at info@alphabiolabsusa.com.

Consent must be provided for all nail clipping samples that are sent in to be analyzed, and for cheek swab samples that are sent in for the subsequent DNA relationship test.

If the nail clippings belong to a person who has passed away, next of kin or another qualifying relative must provide consent for their DNA to be used in testing.

For children under the age of 16, consent must be provided by a parent or guardian with parental responsibility.

Any person aged 16 or over must provide their own consent (a signature) for their DNA to be used in testing.

One advantage of using toenail clippings for nail DNA testing is that there is less potential for environmental contamination. This is because they are typically covered by socks and shoes, and generally less exposed than fingernails, which are subject to hands-on activities such as cleaning, gardening, etc.

On the flip side, fingernail clippings can be quicker and easier to collect, with no need to remove socks or shoes. This is ideal if you want to avoid any awkward conversations, especially when testing an older child.

Regardless, both fingernail clippings and toenail clippings are excellent sources of DNA for the purpose of DNA relationship testing. AlphaBiolabs’ geneticists have undertaken viability studies that demonstrate this, with a high rate of success for DNA extraction.

Whether you choose to submit fingernail clippings, toenail clippings or a mixture of both for your DNA test, it’s important to collect as many clippings as possible to ensure a conclusive result.

Additionally, all nail polish or artificial nail applications MUST be completely removed before the nail clippings are collected. Otherwise, the sample will be rejected.

If you want to submit the nail clippings of a person who has passed away, the sample (usually toenail clippings) needs to be collected by the coroner or funeral director for use in the test.

If a DNA profile can be extracted from the nail clippings, this profile can then be used to verify a biological relationship to a living relative, using a DNA relationship test (and cheek swabs from the living relative).

It's important to note that AlphaBiolabs still requires the appropriate consent to test the DNA samples of deceased individuals. The next of kin or another qualifying relative must provide consent for the DNA samples to be collected. If we do not have this consent, the test cannot be performed.

Please note, this test is for your personal knowledge only, and the results cannot be used in court or for legal matters.

Extensive trials by our in-house scientists have proven nails to be a good source of DNA.

Nail clippings are easy to self-collect without needing assistance by professional sample collectors. The collected nails are considered a stable sample so can be stored long-term at room temperature and can be transported to the laboratory for processing by standard mail.

Nail clipping samples can be used for peace of mind DNA testing but it is important to gain consent for all samples that are to be analyzed.

Simply send us your nail clippings, and if we can get a DNA profile, we can perform a DNA test in the usual way (extra fee applies).

You’ll receive the results of your DNA relationship test within 5 business days from receipt of your samples at our accredited laboratory (provided a DNA profile can be retrieved from the nail clippings).

Nail clippings

You can send your nail clippings back to our laboratory using the sample envelope provided in your test kit.

We ask that you provide as many nail clippings (fingernail and/or toenail) as possible. This will ensure we have enough nail clippings to test and provide you with a conclusive result.

Our scientists will check that we have enough nail clippings to test when your samples arrive at our laboratory, and a member of our team will contact you if there are any issues.

All nail polish or artificial nail applications (e.g. acrylics, gels) MUST be completely removed before samples are collected. Otherwise, the sample will be rejected.

Cheek swabs

Your test kit will contain everything you need to collect cheek swab samples for your subsequent DNA relationship test.

Please note, the DNA relationship test can only be performed if a viable DNA profile can be retrieved from the nail clippings.

The cost of the viability study (to extract DNA from the nail clippings) is $49.

If a viable DNA profile can be retrieved, there will be an additional cost for your chosen DNA relationship test.

Simply buy your test online now, and we’ll mail it out to you immediately.

Your test kit will be sent directly to your chosen address in discreet, plain packaging, for full confidentiality. 

You can choose to receive your kit by USPS First Class Mail (included in the cost of your test), or upgrade to USPS Priority Mail (+$9.99) or USPS Priority Mail Express (+$24.99).

Once you have collected your samples, simply mail them back to our laboratory using your preferred shipping method.

As soon as we receive your DNA samples, we begin the testing process at our accredited laboratory.

You’ll receive the results of your DNA relationship test within 5 business days (provided a DNA profile can be retrieved from the nail clippings).

We’re ISO 17025 and BBB A+ accredited, so you can trust that your results are accurate and reliable, based on the samples received at our laboratory.

At AlphaBiolabs, we offer peace of mind testing with all our DNA testing kits.

As the name suggests, a peace of mind DNA test is for personal use only.  

The results of these tests can give you the answers you need, but they cannot be used for legal purposes or in court proceedings.

Peace of mind tests also allow you to collect your samples quickly and easily at home, without the need to use a more costly and time-consuming third-party to verify the DNA sample collection.

If you need a DNA test for legal purposes, click here or call 727-325-2902.

If a DNA profile cannot be retrieved from the nails, we will contact you and arrange to return the cost of the DNA relationship test. However, a refund will not be possible for the laboratory work already undertaken for the nail DNA viability study.