Dlamini BlessingDNA testing has moved from the realm of crime scene investigation into everyday life. Johannesburg residents are now using DNA tests to confirm paternity, trace ancestry, identify health risks, and even settle inheritance disputes.
But the prices vary wildly. A paternity test at a private lab can cost R1,800. The same test at a government-accredited facility might cost R3,500. An ancestry test sent to an American company could cost R4,000 including shipping.
This guide covers every type of DNA test available in Johannesburg in 2026, including paternity, maternity, siblingship, ancestry, and health predisposition testing. You will learn exactly what each test costs, where to get it, and how to avoid being overcharged.
DNA Test Prices in Johannesburg: Complete Cost Guide
Quick Reference: DNA Test Prices – Johannesburg
| Test Type | Price Range | Results Time | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peace of Mind Paternity | R1,800 – R2,500 | 3–5 days | ISO 17025 |
| Legal Paternity (Court) | R2,500 – R3,500 | 5–10 days | SANAS, FSL |
| Maternity DNA | R2,200 – R3,200 | 5–7 days | SANAS |
| Siblingship (Full) | R3,500 – R5,000 | 7–10 days | ISO 17025 |
| Grandparentage | R3,800 – R5,500 | 7–10 days | ISO 17025 |
| Avuncular (Aunt/Uncle) | R4,000 – R6,000 | 10–14 days | ISO 17025 |
| Ancestry (Ethnicity) | R2,500 – R4,500 | 4–8 weeks | International |
| Health Predisposition | R3,000 – R8,000 | 4–6 weeks | Various |
| NIPT (Prenatal) | R5,500 – R9,500 | 10–14 days | SANAS |
| Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity | R12,000 – R18,000 | 10–14 days | Specialised |
Key Insights
- Fastest results: Peace of Mind Paternity (3–5 days).
- Most affordable: Peace of Mind Paternity (R1,800 starting).
- Court-admissible: Legal Paternity tests, accredited by SANAS and FSL.
- Most expensive: Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity, due to specialised technology.
- Longest turnaround: Ancestry and Health predisposition tests, which can take weeks.
Note: Prices include VAT. Legal tests require a third-party witness or chain-of-custody documentation, which adds to the cost.
What Determines DNA Test Prices in Johannesburg?
1. Accreditation
– Legal tests must be performed by SANAS-accredited laboratories. These cost more because of strict protocols, documentation, and independent verification.
– Peace of mind tests can be done at home with a cheek swab. These are cheaper because there is no witness requirement.
2. Number of Participants
– A standard paternity test involves two people: father and child.
– Adding the mother reduces statistical ambiguity and increases accuracy, but adds approximately R500 to R800 to the cost.
– Siblingship and grandparentage tests require more complex analysis and more markers, hence higher prices.
3. Urgency
– Standard results: 5 to 10 business days.
– Express results: 24 to 48 hours. Expect a surcharge of 50 to 100 percent.
4. Sample Type
– Cheek swab (buccal): Standard, painless, included in price.
– Blood sample: Occasionally required for certain health tests or if a participant is deceased. Additional phlebotomy fees apply.
– Prenatal: Requires a blood draw from the mother. More expensive due to laboratory processing complexity.
Type 1: Paternity DNA Testing
Paternity testing is the most common DNA test requested in Johannesburg. There are two distinct categories.
Peace of Mind Paternity Test
Purpose: Personal knowledge only. Not admissible in court.
Process:
1. You order a test kit online or collect from a laboratory.
2. You swab the inside of the cheek of the father and child.
3. You mail the samples back to the lab using a courier or drop box.
4. Results are emailed or SMSed to you.
Price: R1,800 to R2,500
Providers: DNAlysis, Paternity SA, EasyDNA, Affordable DNA
Accuracy: 99.99 percent if exclusion; 0 percent if inclusion.
Turnaround: 3 to 5 business days.
Pros: Cheaper, private, no ID required.
Cons: Cannot be used for maintenance court, inheritance claims, or immigration.
Legal Paternity Test (Court-Admissible)
Purpose: Department of Home Affairs, maintenance court, divorce proceedings, guardianship, inheritance, and immigration.
Process:
1. All parties must present valid South African ID or passport.
2. A third-party witness (social worker, police officer, doctor, or attorney) must observe the sample collection.
3. The witness completes a chain-of-evidence form.
4. Samples are sealed and sent to a SANAS-accredited forensic laboratory.
5. Results are issued with a sworn affidavit.
Price: R2,500 to R3,500
Providers: Forensic Science Laboratory, Lancet Laboratories, Ampath, PathCare, DNAlysis Legal
Accuracy: 99.99 percent.
Turnaround: 5 to 10 business days. Express options available at additional cost.
Important: Home Affairs and the Master of the High Court do not accept results from international laboratories unless the laboratory holds specific SANAS or ISO 17025 accreditation recognised by South African law.
Type 2: Maternity DNA Testing
Maternity testing is less common than paternity testing but is requested in cases of baby swaps, adoption reunification, and certain immigration matters.
Price: R2,200 to R3,200
Providers: DNAlysis, PathCare, Lancet
Turnaround: 5 to 7 business days.
Maternity testing uses the same methodology as paternity testing. Mitochondrial DNA analysis may be used for deeper maternal lineage confirmation.
Type 3: Siblingship and Kinship Testing
When the alleged father is unavailable or deceased, laboratories can test siblings or grandparents to establish biological relationships.
Full Siblingship:
– Tests whether two individuals share both parents.
– Price: R3,500 to R5,000
– Accuracy: High, but not as definitive as direct paternity testing.
Half Siblingship:
– Tests whether two individuals share one parent.
– Price: R4,000 to R5,500
– Accuracy: Moderate. More participants (e.g., mother) improve accuracy.
Grandparentage:
– Tests whether a child is biologically related to alleged grandparents.
– Price: R3,800 to R5,500
– Note: Both grandparents should ideally participate.
Avuncular (Aunt/Uncle):
– Tests whether a child is related to a paternal or maternal aunt/uncle.
– Price: R4,000 to R6,000
– Note: Least definitive kinship test. Accuracy improves if the parent is confirmed.
Type 4: Prenatal and NIPT Testing
Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP)
This test determines paternity before the baby is born. It requires a blood sample from the mother and a cheek swab from the alleged father.
How it works:
– Fetal DNA circulates in the mother’s bloodstream.
– The laboratory isolates fetal DNA and compares it to the alleged father’s DNA.
Price: R12,000 to R18,000
Providers: DNAlysis, EasyDNA, international labs via courier
Turnaround: 10 to 14 business days.
Gestational requirement: From 9 weeks onwards.
Note: This is a specialised test. Only a few laboratories in South Africa offer it. Samples may need to be sent to Europe or the USA, which adds courier costs and time.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
This is not a paternity test. It screens for genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome.
Price: R5,500 to R9,500
Providers: Ampath, Lancet, PathCare
Turnaround: 10 to 14 days.
Gestational requirement: From 10 weeks.
NIPT is recommended for mothers over 35 or those with abnormal ultrasound findings. It is not diagnostic; false positives and negatives occur. Amniocentesis or CVS remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis.
Type 5: Ancestry DNA Testing
Ancestry testing has exploded in popularity. Johannesburg residents are curious about their ethnic makeup and migration history.
What you get:
– Ethnicity estimate percentages (e.g., 40% Bantu, 25% Khoisan, 20% British, 15% Asian).
– Migration maps.
– Relative matching (people who share DNA with you).
Providers and Prices (DNA Testing Kits – 2026)
| Provider | Price | Shipping | Turnaround | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AncestryDNA | R2,500 | Included | 6–8 weeks | Largest database for matches |
| 23andMe | R3,200 | Included | 6–8 weeks | Combines health + ancestry insights |
| MyHeritage | R2,200 | Extra R500 | 4–6 weeks | Lower cost, smaller database |
| LivingDNA | R2,800 | Extra R600 | 6–8 weeks | Strong regional breakdowns |
This comparison shows:
- Best for family connections: AncestryDNA, thanks to its massive database.
- Best for health + ancestry combo: 23andMe, though at a higher price.
- Best budget option: MyHeritage, even with shipping added, it’s still cheaper overall.
- Best for regional detail: LivingDNA, useful if you want deeper breakdowns of ancestry by geography.
Local Alternatives:
– DNAlysis Heritage: R3,500. Local processing, no international shipping.
– Afrigene: R2,900. Focuses on African lineages.
Important: Ancestry tests are for entertainment and informational purposes only. They are not admissible in court and are not diagnostic for medical conditions (except 23andMe health edition).
Type 6: Health and Wellness DNA Testing
These tests analyse your genetic predisposition to certain diseases, medication responses, and physical traits.
Carrier Screening:
– Tests whether you carry genes for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, Tay-Sachs, etc.
– Price: R4,500 to R7,500
– Use: Family planning.
Pharmacogenetics:
– Tests how you metabolise specific medications.
– Price: R5,000 to R8,000
– Use: Antidepressants, blood thinners, anaesthesia.
Nutrition and Fitness:
– Tests response to lactose, caffeine, gluten; athletic predisposition.
– Price: R3,000 to R6,000
– Use: Personalised diet and training.
Providers: DNAlysis, PathCare, Lancet, G知道自己.
Where To Get A DNA Test In Johannesburg
DNAlysis Biotechnology
– Location: Wits Medical School, Parktown.
– Tests: Paternity, kinship, ancestry, health.
– Accreditation: SANAS, ISO 17025.
– Website: www.dnalysis.co.za
Lancet Laboratories
– Locations: Multiple branches across Johannesburg.
– Tests: Legal paternity, maternity, NIPT.
– Accreditation: SANAS.
– Website: www.lancet.co.za
PathCare
– Locations: Multiple branches across Johannesburg.
– Tests: Legal paternity, NIPT, health.
– Accreditation: SANAS.
– Website: www.pathcare.co.za
Ampath
– Locations: Multiple branches across Johannesburg.
– Tests: Legal paternity, NIPT.
– Accreditation: SANAS.
– Website: www.ampath.co.za
Paternity SA
– Location: Online and courier-based.
– Tests: Peace of mind paternity.
– Accreditation: ISO 17025 (international).
– Website: www.paternitysa.co.za
EasyDNA South Africa
– Location: Online and courier-based.
– Tests: Peace of mind, legal, prenatal, ancestry.
– Accreditation: AABB, ISO 17025.
– Website: www.easydna.co.za
Forensic Science Laboratory
– Location: Pretoria (serves Gauteng).
– Tests: Legal paternity for state purposes.
– Accreditation: SANAS.
– Note: Primarily serves SAPS, courts, and government departments.
How To Choose A DNA Testing Provider
1. Do you need legal admissibility?
– Yes: Choose a SANAS-accredited laboratory. Pay the higher price.
– No: Choose a peace of mind provider. Save money.
2. Do you need results urgently?
– Check if the provider offers express processing. Confirm the cost before paying.
3. Are you testing a deceased person?
– Standard cheek swabs do not work. You need a blood sample or tissue sample from the autopsy. Contact the laboratory directly; this is a specialised service costing R6,000 to R15,000.
4. Is the laboratory reputable?
– Check SANAS accreditation (www.sanas.co.za).
– Read Google reviews. DNA testing is stressful; you want a provider who communicates clearly.
Common Questions, SEO FAQ Section
Can I do a DNA test at a clinic or pharmacy?
No. Clinics and pharmacies do not offer DNA testing. They may offer NIPT (prenatal screening), which requires a blood draw, but samples are sent to specialised laboratories. You cannot buy a paternity test over the counter at Clicks or Dis-Chem.
How accurate are DNA tests?
Paternity tests are 99.99 percent accurate for exclusions and 0 percent for inclusions (meaning 100 percent probability of paternity if the man is the biological father). Ancestry tests are estimates; they are not 100 percent accurate.
Do I need the mother’s sample for a paternity test?
No. You can test father and child alone. However, including the mother increases the statistical probability and reduces ambiguity. Laboratories recommend including the mother if possible.
Can a DNA test be done without the father?
Yes. Grandparentage, siblingship, and avuncular testing can establish paternity indirectly. These tests are less definitive and more expensive.
How long do DNA test results take?
– Peace of mind: 3 to 5 days.
– Legal: 5 to 10 days.
– Kinship: 7 to 14 days.
– Ancestry: 4 to 8 weeks.
– Prenatal paternity: 10 to 14 days.
Are DNA tests covered by medical aid?
Paternity tests are not covered by medical aid. NIPT (prenatal screening) is partially covered by some medical aids if referred by a gynaecologist for high-risk pregnancies. Health predisposition tests are generally not covered.
Can I use a US or UK DNA test kit in South Africa?
Yes. Companies like AncestryDNA and 23andMe ship to South Africa. However, you are responsible for return courier costs, which are approximately R800 to R1,200. Delivery times are longer due to international shipping and customs clearance.
Is DNA testing safe and private?
Reputable laboratories do not share your data without consent. International ancestry companies have faced criticism for sharing anonymised data with pharmaceutical companies. Read the privacy policy before purchasing.
What is the cheapest DNA test in Johannesburg?
The cheapest peace of mind paternity test is approximately R1,800. Some providers offer promotions during certain months, dropping the price to R1,500.
Can I get a free DNA test?
No. DNA testing requires expensive reagents, equipment, and trained scientists. There are no free DNA tests in South Africa.
Summary: Which DNA Test Should You Choose?
Choose Peace of Mind Paternity if:
– You need answers for yourself.
– You do not require court admissibility.
– You want the cheapest option.
Choose Legal Paternity if:
– You are going to court for maintenance.
– You need to amend a birth certificate.
– You are applying for an inheritance or guardianship.
– You are immigrating and need to prove a biological relationship.
Choose Siblingship or Grandparentage if:
– The alleged father is deceased or unavailable.
– You need to prove a relationship between siblings.
Choose NIPT if:
– You are pregnant and want to screen for chromosomal abnormalities.
Choose Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity if:
– You need to establish paternity before birth.
– You are willing to pay a premium for early answers.
Choose Ancestry DNA if:
– You are curious about your ethnic background.
– You are searching for biological relatives.
Final Warning: The Cheapest Is Not Always The Best
There are dozens of websites offering DNA tests for R999 or R1,200. Many of these are not South African laboratories. They send samples overseas, charge hidden courier fees, and results are not admissible in any South African court.
Always verify:
– Is the laboratory SANAS or ISO 17025 accredited?
– Are the courier costs included or extra?
– Is the laboratory based in South Africa or will your sample leave the country?
If the price seems too good to be true, read the fine print. You may end up paying double in hidden fees.
Official Resources:
– SANAS: www.sanas.co.za
– Department of Health: www.health.gov.za
– DNAlysis: www.dnalysis.co.za
This guide was last updated for 2026 standards. DNA testing prices and laboratory accreditation status are subject to change without notice. Always verify current pricing and terms directly with the testing provider.