If you are looking into paternity testing, CVS and Walgreens are probably the first places that come to mind. Both chains carry paternity test kits now, and the options have changed over the past couple of years. They used to only stock a basic collection kit with a separate lab fee tacked on later. Now they also sell their own store-branded kits that bundle everything into one price.
More choices on the shelf means more homework before you buy. This guide covers every paternity test you can currently get at CVS and Walgreens, explains how each one works, and compares them to ordering lab-direct from a provider like US Diagnostics Center. For a broader look at what to evaluate in any kit, the complete buyer's guide is a good starting point. The point is to help you figure out what you are actually paying for and which option makes the most sense for your money.
What Paternity Tests Are Available at CVS?
As of early 2026, CVS carries two different paternity test products. The pricing and what is included are different between them, so it is worth knowing which one you are looking at.
CVS Health Paternity Test (Store Brand)
CVS now has its own branded paternity test. This one is all-inclusive, meaning lab analysis fees are built into the price you pay at the register. At the time of writing, it runs about $109 to $140, depending on the location. The CVS Health test analyzes 20 genetic markers and returns results in about 1 to 2 business days after the lab gets your samples.
This is a newer option. For years, every retail kit required a separate lab fee payment after you bought the box. If you grab the CVS store-brand version, the shelf price should cover everything through to your results.
HomeDNA Paternity Test (Formerly Identigene)
Some CVS stores still carry the HomeDNA test, which used to be sold as Identigene. This one works on the old split-pricing model: you pay about $27 at the store for the collection kit, then pay a separate lab fee of around $139 after you collect and mail in your samples. Total cost comes out to roughly $166.
The box includes cheek swabs, collection envelopes, instructions, and a prepaid mailer. No lab work is included in that $27 price. You have to go to the provider's website and pay the processing fee before they will run your samples.
What Paternity Tests Are Available at Walgreens?
Walgreens also has two paternity test options, though what is in stock can vary from store to store.
Walgreens Paternity Test Kit (Store Brand)
Walgreens has its own branded paternity test kit, priced at about $119.99 at the time of writing. This appears to be all-inclusive or close to it, but read the packaging carefully to make sure lab fees are actually covered in the price. Details may vary.
Walgreens At-Home DNA Paternity Test Kit
Walgreens also stocks a cheaper collection-only kit at about $29.99. Same idea as the older retail model: that price only covers the swabs and mailer. You still owe a lab processing fee, usually in the $119 to $139 range, before your samples get analyzed. So the real total is roughly $149 to $169.
How Retail Paternity Tests Work: Step by Step
No matter which retail kit you go with, the process is basically the same. The only real difference is when and how you pay for the lab work.
- Purchase the kit at the store. You pick up the box from the pharmacy or family planning aisle. No prescription or ID is needed for a peace-of-mind test.
- Collect DNA samples at home. Using the cheek swabs in the kit, you swab the inside of each person's cheek -- the alleged father and the child. It takes less than a minute per person.
- Mail the samples to the lab. Seal the sample envelopes, put them in the provided mailer, and drop it in the mail. Shipping to the lab usually takes two to five business days.
- Pay any additional lab fees (if applicable). If you bought a collection-only kit, you need to go to the provider's website and pay the processing fee before they will start the analysis. If you bought an all-inclusive kit, this is already taken care of.
- Receive your results. Results are usually ready within one to five business days after the lab has your samples and any required payment. You access them through an online portal. If you are not sure what the numbers on the report mean, the guide on how to read paternity test results explains everything.
The full timeline from store purchase to results depends on the kit, how fast the mail moves, and whether you need to make any additional payments. Most people see results within seven to fourteen business days. For a closer look at what affects turnaround, the full timeline guide covers each phase of the process.
Lab-Direct Testing: How It Compares
Lab-direct testing means you order your paternity test kit straight from the DNA testing lab instead of buying one off a store shelf. Companies like US Diagnostics Center run their own labs and ship kits directly to you.
The main advantage here is simple pricing. When you order from US Diagnostics Center, the home paternity test kit is $79 with all lab fees included. No separate charges, no two-step payment, and no guessing about what is covered. The kit comes with everything for sample collection, a prepaid return mailer with free return shipping, and lab analysis of up to 28 genetic markers. Results come through a secure online portal within 2 to 3 business days after samples reach the lab.
The kit ships in plain, unmarked packaging, which a lot of people prefer over walking into a pharmacy and buying a paternity test in person. If you want to see the full testing experience from start to finish, the guide on how DNA testing works walks through every step.
Side-by-Side Comparison: All Your Options
Here is how every current paternity test option stacks up across the things that matter most. Competitor prices shown are approximate and were gathered at the time of writing. Always check current pricing before you buy.
| Feature | CVS Health (Store Brand) | HomeDNA at CVS | Walgreens (Store Brand) | Walgreens Collection Kit | US Diagnostics Center (Lab-Direct) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kit / Shelf Price | ~$109 – $140 | ~$27 | ~$119.99 | ~$29.99 | $79 |
| Separate Lab Fee | Included | ~$139 | Verify on packaging | ~$119 – $139 | Included |
| Estimated Total Cost | ~$109 – $140 | ~$166 | ~$119.99 | ~$149 – $169 | $79 |
| Genetic Markers Tested | 20 | 20 or more | Not confirmed | 20 or more | Up to 28 |
| Results Turnaround | 1 – 2 business days | 3 – 5 business days | Varies | 3 – 5 business days | 2 – 3 business days |
| Return Shipping | Prepaid mailer included | Prepaid mailer included | Prepaid mailer included | Prepaid mailer included | Free prepaid mailer included |
| Rush Options | Not confirmed | Yes (additional fee) | Not confirmed | Yes (additional fee) | Yes (available during checkout) |
| Discreet Packaging | N/A (in-store purchase) | N/A (in-store purchase) | N/A (in-store purchase) | N/A (in-store purchase) | Yes |
| How You Get It | In-store pickup | In-store pickup | In-store pickup | In-store pickup | Shipped to your door |
Even with the newer store-brand options, US Diagnostics Center still comes in as the cheapest at $79. That is about $30 to $60 less than the lowest store-brand price and up to $87 less than the split-pricing kits. You also get more markers tested -- up to 28 compared to 20 for the retail options -- which gives the lab more data points to work with when calculating results. For a wider look at pricing across the industry, the complete paternity test cost guide covers every major option. For head-to-head provider comparisons, see the home paternity test kit reviews.
Pros and Cons of Each Approach
Every option has trade-offs. Here is what works and what does not with each one.
Store-Brand All-Inclusive Kits (CVS Health, Walgreens Brand)
Advantages:
- You can have it today. Walk into the store and leave with a kit in your hands. No waiting for delivery.
- One price, no surprises. Lab fees are included, so you will not get hit with an extra charge after you collect samples.
- Familiar stores. Some people feel more comfortable buying from a pharmacy they already know.
Drawbacks:
- More expensive than lab-direct. At $109 to $140, these kits cost a good bit more than ordering direct.
- Fewer genetic markers. The CVS Health test analyzes 20 markers. That meets the industry standard but is less than what lab-direct options offer.
- Less privacy. Not everyone wants to buy a paternity test face-to-face at their local pharmacy.
- Stock varies. Not every location carries the store-brand version. You might need to call ahead or try more than one store.
Collection-Only Kits (HomeDNA, Walgreens Budget Kit)
Advantages:
- Low upfront cost. The $27 to $30 shelf price looks affordable at the register.
- Easy to find. These kits have been on shelves at thousands of locations for years.
Drawbacks:
- The lab fee adds up fast. You owe another $119 to $139 after you collect your samples, bringing the real total to $149 to $169.
- Paying twice is confusing. You pay once at the register and again online. First-time testers especially find this frustrating.
- Most expensive option overall. Despite the low sticker price, these kits cost more than any other option once the lab fee is factored in.
- In-store purchase. Same privacy issue as the store-brand kits.
Lab-Direct Testing (US Diagnostics Center)
Advantages:
- Lowest total cost. At $79, the home paternity test kit costs less than anything on a store shelf, and all fees are included.
- More genetic markers. US Diagnostics Center tests up to 28 markers, compared to 20 with retail kits. The extra markers give the lab more data to work with, which matters most in trickier cases -- like when two potential fathers are brothers or otherwise closely related.
- One payment covers everything. Kit, free return shipping, lab analysis, and results. No hidden charges.
- Discreet delivery. The kit shows up in an unmarked package at your door.
- Fast results. 2 to 3 business days after samples arrive at the lab, with same-day and next-day rush processing available during checkout.
Drawbacks:
- You have to wait for shipping. The kit takes 1 to 3 business days to arrive. There is no walk-in-and-grab-it option.
- Online ordering only. You buy through the website, which may not work for people who prefer to shop in person.
If cost is a big factor for you, the article on affordable paternity test options with trusted accuracy goes deeper into how to keep costs down without cutting corners on quality.
Which Option Is Right for You?
It depends on your situation. Here are a few common scenarios.
Choose a store-brand all-inclusive kit if: You need a test today and cannot wait for shipping. Maybe you have a short window to collect samples, or the convenience of walking into CVS or Walgreens and leaving with a complete kit is worth the extra cost. Just check the packaging to confirm lab fees are included before you pay.
Avoid the collection-only kits if you can: Unless it is the only thing on the shelf and you need it right now, the split-pricing kits are the most expensive way to get results. The low shelf price is misleading -- the total after the mandatory lab fee is higher than every other option. If you do buy one, just know you will owe another $119 to $139 before the lab touches your samples.
Choose lab-direct testing if: You want the lowest price and the most thorough testing without dealing with a two-step payment. If you can wait 1 to 3 days for the kit to arrive, ordering the home paternity test kit from US Diagnostics Center saves you $30 to $87 over retail and tests more markers. A lot of people also prefer having the kit delivered to their door instead of picking one up at a pharmacy counter.
For most people, lab-direct is the better deal. The testing science is the same no matter where you buy the kit, but what you pay and what you get for it varies quite a bit. The guide on at-home paternity testing walks through the full experience so you know what to expect.
Get more markers for less. The Home Paternity Test Kit from US Diagnostics Center is just $79 — all lab fees included, up to 28 genetic markers tested, free return shipping, and results in 2–3 business days. Order yours today.
Are All Paternity Tests Equally Accurate?
The science behind these tests is the same across the board. DNA gets extracted from cheek swab cells, specific genetic markers are amplified using a process called PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and the alleged father's profile is compared to the child's. When a qualified lab runs the analysis, the results are definitive no matter where the collection kit came from. For a deeper look at the science, the article on home paternity test accuracy covers how labs achieve 99.99% confidence.
Where tests differ is in how many genetic markers they look at. The industry standard is 20 or more markers, and that is enough for a clear answer in the vast majority of cases. US Diagnostics Center tests up to 28 markers, which gives the lab extra data points to work with. That extra coverage is most useful in cases where two potential fathers are closely related -- brothers, for example -- and the lab needs more information to tell them apart genetically.
Both retail and lab-direct tests deliver the same level of scientific accuracy when a reputable lab handles the processing. If you have heard claims that at-home DNA testing is unreliable, the article on common misconceptions about DNA testing addresses that directly.
Important Note: Peace of Mind vs. Legal Testing
Every paternity test sold at CVS, Walgreens, or through lab-direct providers like US Diagnostics Center is a peace-of-mind test. These are for personal knowledge. Because you collect the samples yourself at home without anyone witnessing the process or verifying identities, the results cannot be used in court.
If you need results for a legal matter -- child custody, child support, or changing a name on a birth certificate -- you need a legal paternity test with supervised collection, identity verification, and documented chain of custody. A peace-of-mind test can still be a useful first step if you want personal answers before deciding whether to pursue legal testing. For a breakdown of how the two types differ, see the article on home paternity test vs. legal paternity test or visit the FAQ page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do CVS and Walgreens Still Sell the Cheap $30 Paternity Test Kits?
Some locations still have collection-only kits for about $27 to $30, but those require a separate lab fee of $119 to $139 before your samples get processed. The real total is $149 to $169. Both CVS and Walgreens have also started selling their own store-branded kits with lab fees included, usually priced at $109 to $140. US Diagnostics Center offers a lab-direct option at $79 with everything included.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Paternity Test?
Looking at total cost with all lab fees included, ordering from US Diagnostics Center at $79 is the least expensive option right now. Store-brand retail kits at CVS and Walgreens run about $109 to $140, and the collection-only kits with separate lab fees total $149 to $169. For the full picture, see the paternity test cost guide. If budget is your main concern, the article on free paternity test options covers every legitimate no-cost and low-cost route.
How Many Genetic Markers Should a Paternity Test Analyze?
The industry standard is 20 or more markers, which gives a definitive answer in the vast majority of cases. US Diagnostics Center tests up to 28 markers for added confidence. The CVS Health store-brand test uses 20 markers, which meets the standard. Extra markers can help in situations where two potential fathers are closely related, since the lab has more data to distinguish between them.
Can I Use a Paternity Test from CVS or Walgreens in Court?
No. Tests bought at retail stores are peace-of-mind tests. You collect the samples yourself without anyone verifying identities or witnessing the process, so the results are not admissible in court. Legal paternity testing requires supervised collection at an approved facility with ID verification and a documented chain of custody. A peace-of-mind test can still give you personal clarity as a first step.
How Long Does It Take to Get Results?
It depends on the provider. The CVS Health store-brand test advertises 1 to 2 business days after the lab receives samples. HomeDNA collection-only kits typically take 3 to 5 business days for processing. US Diagnostics Center delivers results in 2 to 3 business days, with same-day and next-day rush options available during checkout. With any of these, add 2 to 5 business days for your samples to reach the lab by mail. For a full breakdown, see the full timeline guide.
Why Is a Lab-Direct Paternity Test Cheaper Than Buying at a Store?
When you buy from a retail store, the store marks up the kit, and the lab may charge a separate fee on top of that. Lab-direct providers like US Diagnostics Center cut out the store and bundle the kit, free return shipping, lab analysis, and results into one price. That is how US Diagnostics Center can offer a complete test for $79 while retail options start at $109 and go up from there.
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