Finding a reliable DNA testing center in San Diego, California doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you need a legal paternity test, immigration DNA test, relationship test, or personal ancestry test, San Diego has many accredited laboratories and collection sites ready to help.
This complete guide will walk you through:
- The best DNA testing centers in San Diego
- What services each center provides
- How much DNA testing costs
- How to choose the right lab
- FAQs about DNA testing in San Diego
Let’s get started.
1. Why Choose a Local DNA Testing Center in San Diego?
San Diego is home to several AABB-accredited DNA labs and certified specimen collection centers. Choosing a local provider can help you:
- Get faster appointments
- Avoid mailing delays
- Complete legal chain-of-custody testing
- Get help for USCIS immigration DNA testing
- Access experienced technicians
- Receive results securely and quickly
Local labs often offer same-day or next-day appointments — a big advantage if you have court deadlines or urgent immigration needs.
2. Best DNA Testing Centers in San Diego, CA (Top Picks)
Below is a curated list of reliable DNA testing centers based on accreditation, customer service, processing speed, and service quality.
⭐ 1. ARCpoint Labs of San Diego
Services offered:
- Legal paternity tests
- Non-legal/home paternity
- Immigration DNA testing
- Siblingship, grandparent & avuncular tests
- Prenatal paternity (NIPP)
- Drug & alcohol testing
- Background checks
Why it’s a top choice:
ARCpoint is known for fast appointments, clear pricing, and excellent customer support. They work with AABB-accredited partner labs for immigration DNA testing.
Typical result time:
3–5 business days (legal paternity)
2–12 weeks (immigration cases)
⭐ 2. Any Lab Test Now – San Diego
Services offered:
- Walk-in DNA testing
- Legal chain-of-custody tests
- Court-approved paternity tests
- Ancestry & heritage tests
- Relationship testing
Why we recommend it:
They offer walk-in availability with no doctor’s order required. Pricing is transparent, and staff are trained for legal collection procedures.
Turnaround time:
Results in as little as 2–4 business days.
⭐ 3. Labcorp San Diego Patient Service Centers
Labcorp is one of the biggest testing companies in the U.S., with multiple locations throughout San Diego.
Services offered:
- Legal paternity tests
- Court-ordered DNA testing
- Home test kits
- Immigration (AABB-accredited) DNA testing
- Genetic screening
Why it’s a great option:
Labcorp is fully AABB accredited and trusted by courts, lawyers, and USCIS. Their network is huge, making appointments easy to find.
Result time:
3–7 business days.
⭐ 4. Quest Diagnostics – San Diego Locations
Quest is another national leader in DNA and genetic testing with multiple local centers.
Services offered:
- Legal DNA testing
- Paternity testing
- Relationship DNA testing
- Health-related genetic testing
- Prenatal genetic screening
Why choose Quest:
Reliable, well-known, and professional staff. They partner with AABB-accredited DNA labs for legal and immigration cases.
Result time:
3–5 business days.
⭐ 5. North County Health DNA Collection Sites (San Diego North)
Located in North San Diego County, these centers often partner with major labs to handle collection for legal and immigration tests.
Best for:
Residents in Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, and San Marcos.
Services:
- Paternity testing
- Immigration DNA testing
- Sibling and grandparent tests
⭐ 6. Paternity USA (Mobile Collection in San Diego)
While not a walk-in center, Paternity USA offers mobile DNA sample collection throughout San Diego County.
Good for:
Clients who prefer testing at home, hospitals, offices, or law firms.
Services:
- Legal paternity
- Non-legal tests
- Immigration DNA testing
3. DNA Testing Services Available in San Diego
Most centers in San Diego provide the following types of DNA tests:
✔ Legal Paternity Test (Court-Admissible)
Used for:
- Child support cases
- Custody litigation
- Birth certificate changes
- Government benefits
- Court-ordered testing
Requires chain of custody and ID verification.
✔ Non-Legal / At-Home Paternity Test
Used for personal knowledge only — not valid in court.
Faster, simple, affordable.
✔ Immigration DNA Testing (USCIS, NVC, U.S. Embassy)
Required by U.S. immigration when documentary evidence is insufficient.
San Diego centers partner with AABB-accredited labs to legally process these cases.
Total processing timeline: 2–12 weeks, depending on embassy location.
✔ Sibling, Grandparent, and Avuncular Tests
Used when the alleged father is unavailable.
Common reasons:
- Proving family relationships
- Legal or immigration cases
Turnaround time: 3–7 business days.
✔ Prenatal Paternity Testing (NIPP)
Non-invasive — safe for the mother and baby.
Makes it possible to test as early as 7–8 weeks of pregnancy.
Result time: 5–8 business days.
✔ Ancestry & Ethnicity DNA Testing
Most local labs do not perform ethnicity tests directly but can help with collection for partner companies.
Result time: 3–8 weeks.
4. How Much Does DNA Testing Cost in San Diego?
Here are typical price ranges in 2025:
| DNA Test Type | Average Price in San Diego |
|---|---|
| Non-legal paternity | $130–$190 |
| Legal paternity (court-admissible) | $250–$450 |
| Immigration DNA test | $350–$750 per person |
| Sibling / Grandparent | $300–$500 |
| Prenatal non-invasive paternity | $1,000–$1,600 |
| Ancestry genetics test | $69–$199 |
Prices vary depending on:
- Number of people tested
- Express processing options
- Whether mobile collection is required
5. How to Choose the Best DNA Testing Center in San Diego
Choosing the right lab can make a huge difference — especially for legal or immigration purposes.
✔ 1. Check for AABB Accreditation
This is essential for:
- Legal paternity
- Immigration DNA testing
Without AABB accreditation, USCIS will reject the results.
✔ 2. Confirm Chain-of-Custody Procedures
For court use, the center must:
- Verify IDs
- Collect samples properly
- Provide documentation
- Seal and ship the samples securely
✔ 3. Compare Result Turnaround Times
Standard: 3–7 business days
Express: 1–2 days (extra fee)
✔ 4. Ask About Appointment Availability
Some centers offer:
- Same-day appointments
- Walk-in services
- Mobile sample collection
✔ 5. Look for Transparent Pricing
Avoid companies that won’t provide clear pricing upfront.
✔ 6. Read Local Reviews
San Diego customers often mention:
- Speed of scheduling
- Professionalism
- Clean facilities
- Helpfulness
6. What to Expect During Your DNA Test Appointment
Here’s how a typical appointment goes:
- Check-in & ID verification
- Paperwork and consent forms
- Cheek swab collection (5–10 minutes)
- Samples sealed and shipped to the lab
- Results available online or by mail
The process is painless and quick — most people are done in under 15 minutes.
7. DNA Testing for Immigration in San Diego (Important Notes)
For USCIS or embassy cases, only an AABB-accredited lab may perform the test.
San Diego centers typically:
- Test the petitioner first
- Ship a DNA kit to the U.S. embassy abroad
- Wait for the embassy appointment
- Receive the sample back
- Send results directly to USCIS/NVC
Total timeline: 2–12 weeks, depending on country.
The Best DNA Testing Centers in San Diego
San Diego offers many trusted options for DNA testing, whether you need a home kit, legal case, immigration support, or relationship testing.
Top recommended choices include:
- ARCpoint Labs San Diego
- Any Lab Test Now
- Labcorp San Diego
- Quest Diagnostics San Diego
- North County DNA Collection Sites
These centers provide reliable, fast, and legally acceptable DNA testing services throughout San Diego County.