Life and Style Magazine allegedly obtained the birth certificate of 15 year old, Ashley Horn, which shows Lohan’s father, Michael, as the father of Ashley.

This news broke as Lindsay was being released from jail. Apparently Ashley wants to reach out and support her half sister any way she can, but hasn’t been able to contact her.

The story behind Michael Lohan being Ashley Horn’s father is common to many families in the U.S. Ashley’s mother, Kristi, had an affair with Michael and had a child. She named Michael as the father and both were ordered to appear for a court ordered DNA test. Michael never showed, so the judge named him the father by default. He’s now responsible to support Ashley until the state says he no longer has to. Kristi claims Michael owes more than $300,000 in back child support.

Michael claims he is not the father. Unfortunately, it may be too late to take a test.

Each state is different in paternity suits. One consistency is that once a judge names a man the father, it is extremely difficult to change that even with DNA proof. If you have doubts or uncertainties, get a paternity test before a judge makes a child support order.

The U.S. Embassy in Uganda often asks for DNA tests to prove relationships for immigration purposes. The laboratory who performs the testing must be AABB accredited. The petitioner should contact a DNA company and start the process, following the Embassy guidelines below. I will summarize the instructions in case you don’t want to read the entire Embassy document.

1. Contact an AABB lab to get started.
2. The lab will send supplies to Uganda Embassy for the beneficiaries to be collected.
3. A DNA collection appointment will be scheduled at The Surgery medical clinic in Kololo, Kampala.
4. All samples will be sent back to the U.S. DNA lab for testing.
5. Original results are sent directly to the U.S. Embassy, and the client will receive a copy.

DNA Testing

In certain circumstances, when primary evidence submitted in support of a U.S. Citizenship or immigration case is deemed insufficient to establish the claimed biological relationship, genetic testing may be suggested to applicants as an alternative way to provide credible evidence of the claimed relationship.

U.S. regulations require that all DNA testing conducted in support of a U.S. Citizenship or immigration case be conducted in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

In order to submit DNA evidence to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy Kampala, or in order to obtain DNA evidence per the request of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) the applicant must first contact a genetic testing laboratory in the United States accredited by AABB.  The applicant or their sponsor contracts the laboratory to conduct the requested DNA testing, and makes payment for the service directly to the laboratory.

The laboratory should then send a buccal swab collection kit(s) to the U.S. Embassy Kampala at the following international courier address.  The packages should include a pre-paid courier envelope so that the specimens may be returned to the laboratory in the United States.  Please also ensure that local contact information for the individual(s) to be tested is included.

International Courier Address:
U S Embassy Kampala
Plot 1577 Ggaba Road
Kampala, Uganda
Attn: Consular Section

The Consular Section will coordinate an appointment date and time with The Surgery medical clinic, Acacia Avenue, Kololo, Kampala on behalf of the applicant(s) where the specimens will be collected.   The specimens will then be returned to the genetic testing lab in the United States for analysis.  If the case pertains to a U.S. citizenship or immigration case being adjudicated at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, the laboratory should send an original copy of the results to Consular Section via the international courier address.  Once received, the Consular Section will then proceed with the adjudication of the case.

The U.S. Embassy schedules DNA testing with The Surgery approximately every four weeks.  A U.S. Embassy employee must witness the collection of the specimen.

Click our link to learn more about a fast immigration DNA test.

The U.S. Embassy in Lagos has posted a set of strict guidelines to follow when completing a DNA test for Immigration in Nigeria. Below is the full list of guidelines, as provided by the Embassy. If you don’t feel like reading the whole thing, here are my notes;

1. Go to the Embassy on any Mon, Tue, Thur, or Fri. at NOON. Make sure the lab you choose has already sent kits to the Embassy.
2. The Embassy will schedule an appointment for DNA collection with a panel physician.
3. The beneficiary must pay the collection fee at the time of collection.
4. The petitioner must choose an AABB lab for the testing in the U.S.
5. Once the results are sent to the Embassy, if positive, a visa is typically granted.

Give one of our case manager’s a call for a free consultation and to learn more about the details of the process. Now for the complete instructiosn;

HOW TO PROCEED

The beneficiary is advised to read this information sheet and discuss pursuing DNA testing with the petitioner. If the petitioner and beneficiary both wish to proceed with DNA testing, the beneficiary must complete the agreement on page 2 and return it to the Consulate on any business day except Wednesday at 12 noon.

INFORMATION FOR THE PETITIONER IN THE UNITED STATES

The petitioner must contact a laboratory indicated on the attached list for information concerning the buccal swab DNA testing method. This method (removing a small amount of genetic material from the inside of the mouth) is simple, clean, non-invasive, and provides the same level of accuracy as blood testing. DNA testing for applicants in Nigeria can only be performed with specimens collected using the buccal swab procedure, because blood samples cannot be transported from Nigeria to the United States in a timely fashion. The laboratory in the U.S. must notify the Consulate when the DNA sample has been taken and all fees have been paid. The petitioner must also arrange for the laboratory to send a buccal swab collection kit for each beneficiary to the Consulate in Lagos at one of the following addresses:
U. S. Consulate
8300 Lagos Place
Washington, D.C. 20521-8300
(delivery within 2-3 weeks)
or
Consulate of the United States of America
2 Walter Carrington Crescent,
Victoria Island, Lagos
ATTN: Immigrant Visa Section
(for delivery via courier services)
When test results are available, the originals must be mailed directly to the U.S. Consulate by the U.S. laboratory. The cost of testing and all expenses related to testing are the responsibility of the petitioner and beneficiary.

INFORMATION FOR THE BENEFICIARY IN NIGERIA

Approximately one month after the buccal swab kit has been sent to Lagos, the beneficiary should begin checking with the Consulate to confirm the kit's arrival and to schedule an appointment with a Consulate panel physician. The petitioner and the beneficiary must initiate and pursue the testing procedure and they are responsible for paying all related fees. In Nigeria, all fees must be paid in advance of service.
On the appointment day, the beneficiary must appear in person with two color passport photographs and a valid passport. Failure to produce satisfactory documentation will result in delays. The beneficiary must pay a fee to the panel physician at the time of sample collection. The current fee is 3,000 Naira for up to two applicants, and 1,500 Naira for each additional applicant.
Test samples will be sealed in a secure container for shipment to the United States. The panel physician will receive payment from the beneficiary for courier delivery of the test sample to the selected U.S. laboratory for comparison with the petitioner's sample. The current fee for courier service is 6,430 Naira. In instances where a petitioner has arranged for samples to be collected from several beneficiaries, the courier fee for the shipment of kits may be higher.
If the genetic test results support the claimed relationship, the consular section will invite the beneficiary to the Consulate to notify him/her of the positive results and to complete remaining documentation. If the beneficiary is not otherwise ineligible, an immigrant visa will be issued upon payment of the appropriate fee.
If the genetic test results indicates the claimed relationship does not exist, the petition will be returned to the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the United States accompanied by a recommendation by the consular section that the petition be revoked. The case will be closed and no further documents or evidence will be accepted by the Consulate.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• Genetic testing is voluntary;

• DNA testing for applicants in Nigeria can only be performed with specimens collected using the buccal swab procedure;

• The cost of testing and all expenses relating to testing (such as doctors' fees, mailing fees, purchase of buccal swab testing packages, etc.) are the responsibility of the petitioner and beneficiary and must be paid in advance;

• The Consulate does not provide refunds for unused DNA kits;

• For purposes of visa issuance, the Consulate will only accept original genetic test results that have been sent to the Consulate directly by the laboratory conducting the test. This is to ensure all necessary safeguards in conformity with U.S. visa regulations are followed;

• The Consulate does not assume responsibility for the professional caliber or practice of any of the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) accredited parentage testing laboratories;

• Submitting to testing in no way guarantees the subsequent issuance of an immigrant visa;

• While the genetic test is pending, all other investigations related to the case will be suspended until the testing process is completed;

• Petitions returned to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in the United States based on negative results may be revoked or denied by the INS. The Consulate reminds all applicants that penalties exist for making false statements in the filing of immigrant visa applications.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SECTION AND RETURN TO THE CONSULATE ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY OR FRIDAY AT 12 NOON:
Beneficiary Name (Last, First,Middle):
_________________________________________________________________________________
Passport Number:

__________________________________________________________________
DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE
I have read and understand the contents of this information sheet. I choose to proceed with genetic testing in an effort to prove the relationship claimed in the immigrant visa petition filed on my behalf.
I understand that a negative outcome will result in the immediate return of this petition to the INS, and I may be found ineligible for any future U.S. visas.
I understand that all pending investigations will be suspended while the genetic test is carried out.
______________________________________________Beneficiary's Signature
Signed and sworn before me on (Date) ______________________at Lagos, Nigeria
Consular Officer _______________________________________

Like I said, If you would like more information about how to complete the testing as quickly as possible, please give a case manager a call.

DNA testing in Ghana has been taking weeks longer than normal. One of the reasons for this is that scheduling for DNA tests has been split up between USCIS and DHS cases. It appears that new procedures are intact and DNA collections will begin moving smoothly.

You can read the new DNA testing instructions for Ghana below:

The beneficiaries should appear at the USCIS Accra Office at 7:30 am on any MONDAY or TUESDAY during the months of July and August 2010 for DNA sample collection.  The USCIS Accra Office is located at the US Embassy premises at No. 24 Fourth Circular Road, East Cantonments, Accra.

The Embassy panel physician will be conducting the DNA sample collection at the US Embassy in Accra.  The individual applicants are responsible for paying the fee for DNA sample collection which is approximately $25 to be paid in local currency.  They need to make the payment at Akai House Clinic before they come to the Embassy.  Akai House Clinic is located at 6th Circular Road East Cantonments (a few blocks away from the Embassy) and can be reached on phone number 0302 784772 or 0302 784773.  

When the beneficiaries come to the Embassy for DNA sample collection they should bring with them the following:
1.        The receipt of payment
2.        Their passports or national photo identification card
3.        One (1) passport-size photograph
4.        For beneficiaries under age 18, a power of attorney from the petitioner giving a local guardian authority to sign documents on behalf of the individual providing the sample.  The guardian also needs to bring a national photo identification document. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office at uscis.accra@dhs.gov

USCIS, Accra

Remember, there are no AABB labs in Ghana. Please find a qualified DNA lab in the U.S. to help.

A family court is requiring a man to take a DNA test in a paternity case, but this isn’t your ordinary case. The mother and the alleged father both know he’s not the biological father.

According to theage.com.au, the man in question signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity in order to gain access to the U.S. by following immigration guidelines. The man divorced the mother in 2006 after 4 years of marriage. Now he wants nothing to do with the child.

It seems Australian family law and U.S. family law vary in the way they look at the child’s best interest. According to the article, Australian law seeks to find the child’s true biological parents, whereas the U.S. seeks to find emotional and financial support for the child, regardless of biological relationship.

The court has ordered the DNA test, which seems to be a waste of time in this matter. We assume the results will come back negative. Should the guy be required to continue child support, which he has been paying since 2007, even if he’s not the biological father?

Let me know your thoughts.

A neglect case at the Disctrict and Juvenile Court in Accra, Ghana took an odd turn when a court ordered DNA test showed neither the man or woman was biologically related to the 6 month old child in question.

Judge Cynthia Wiredu ordered a DNA test after the man claimed that the woman faked a pregnancy as part of a blackmail scheme. Judging by the article i found on peacefmonline.com,  Celestine Owusu, the claimed mother, may have some issues. Ahe was arrested following the DNA test results.

Ms. Owusu denied the DNA test results, saying that they must not be accurate. As someone who has worked in DNA testing for four years, I’ve never seen a case like this, so I am inclined to believe her. Here are a couple ways the DNA test results could go wrong.

1. The DNA collection facility may have switched the DNA samples, leading to a false negative.
2. The facility may have mis-labeled the samples, noting the child as the father and vice-versa.
3. The DNA laboratory may have switched the samples. Although rare, DNA sample switching in laboratories has happened.

Ms. Owusu is using her own money to pay for a retest. Hopefully she uses a reputable laboratory for this test. I will be anxiously awaiting the results.

Families going through the immigration process understand that it takes time. A lot of time. Once clients call us to complete DNA tests, they are usually very close to being reunited with family members. Recently, many U.S. Embassies overseas have been changing guidelines and creating a delay in the DNA test.

In order to make sure your DNA test is being handled quickly and properly, please visit www.usembassy.gov. Click on the embassy that you are going through. Then type “DNA” into the search box.

Once you do that you should see specific instructions for completing DNA testing in your country. Your Boston Paternity case manager will work with you to make sure everything moves along as smoothly as possible.

If your DNA test is being requested by USCIS there may be different rules, such as where the beneficiary’s sample will be collected. Again, your case manager will work with you to follow the USCIS guidelines so Immigration will accept your results.

You can trust Boston Paternity to be up to date on the newest Embassy and USCIS rules and regulations regarding immigration DNA testing.

Our case managers speak with fathers from all over the U.S. on a day to day basis. Many of these fathers have been taking care of their children financially and emotionally since the children were born. For many different reasons, they suspect they may not be the biological father of the child, so they ask the mother for a paternity test.

Most mothers in this situation refuse, either because they know the real truth, or because they are comfortable with the existing situation. In any case, the mother is not cooperative. The father has two options:

1) Get a DNA test without the mother knowing

2) Get a court order for a DNA test by filing a paternity action

Follow the link above for more information about option 1. Today’s entry focuses on the paternity action.

I am not an attorney, and I suggest obtaining a qualified family lawyer whenever you pursue a paternity action. This is largely due to the fact that paternity test laws very greatly from state to state. There are a lot of factors that go into the process of determining whether you, the father, will be authorized to get a DNA paternity test.

Factors include:

• Are you on the birth certificate?
• How old is the child?
• Were you married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth?
• Did you sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity?
• Are you paying child support?

You should speak with an attorney about all these issues and more. Be sure to obtain an attorney who practices in the state where the child resides, because that is where the paternity action must take place.

Oftentimes, option 1 is the easiest way to gain peace of mind. If that option is not available, get an attorney and do it right.

Good luck.

If you and someone you know believe you share a father, but you know you do not share a mother, then there are DNA tests that can help prove your theory. Here are your two options:

1. If you are both males, then a Y-chromosome DNA test can prove if you share a common male lineage. The Y-Chrome test does not prove if you have the same father, because all males from the same family share the exact same Y profile. Therefore, you share the same Y-Chrome profile as your father, your brother, your uncle, your grandfather, your son, and so on. With a Y-Chrome test you need to be certain that other family members are not potential fathers.

2. If your half sibling is a female and you are a male, or vice versa then a half vs. unrelated siblingship test may be right for you. Depending on your genetic makeup, the half sibling test can be extremely conclusive. There is also a chance that the results are fairly inconclusive. A situation where results would be very conclusive is when you and  your half sibling share very rare genetic markers. Since this is unlikely to happen, the probability of you being related is much higher.

One way to improve the conclusiveness of a half sibling DNA test is by including one or both mothers. This allows the DNA technicians to exclude the half of your DNA that is contributed from your mom, and isolate the half that was contributed by your father. Once it is isolated, it is easier to get a more conclusive result.

Our laboratory guarantees DNA test  results that are greater than 99.9% accurate for all paternity tests. Although we do not make the same guarantee for half sibling tests, there are many things we can do to improve the conclusiveness of your results.

Paternity testing is usually about gaining peace of mind. In 49 states, gaining peace of mind is very easy. Contact a DNA testing company, order a home test kid or schedule a test in their office. You should get results fairly quickly. The State of New York makes the process a bit more difficult.

In New York, paternity testing is considered a medical test. Any medical test requires a physician’s order. If you don’t want to talk to your doctor about your paternity testing needs, then you can talk to a judge instead. Court orders for paternity tests are also accepted. If neither of those two options work, your last option is an order from the U.S. government.

In addition to needing an order to take a paternity test, you will also need to come into a facility to have a professional collect your DNA sample. New York requires legal DNA testing. Home test kits are not permitted.

DNA testing can be done in New York, but it’s a bit more complicated. Give one of our case managers a call for more information about getting a DNA test in New York.