DNA collection office for paternity and legal testing

Individuals needing legal or peace-of-mind tests, family law firms, adoption and immigration-related clients, and mediators referring clients.

Collection fees per appointment, plus lab referral fees or a markup on test arrangements. Extra income can come from document witnessing or photo-ID services if you are qualified and permitted to offer them.

• Discretion and empathy
• Strict attention to procedure and records
• Local marketing and building referral relationships

• Chain-of-custody and ID rules that vary by lab and by the court or agency, so confirm requirements before taking legal cases
• Privacy and health information rules in your province, including secure storage of consent forms and ID copies
• Consent and guardianship issues when children are involved
• Commercial general liability insurance and possibly professional liability, so ask your broker
• Low early volume can make rent hard to cover, so consider a flexible or hourly room first
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for signage, forms and communications

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the premises you choose and how you set up for records and sample handling. A flexible or hourly room is one way to start smaller.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many clients book and your referral relationships. Low early volume can make rent hard to cover, so consider a flexible or hourly room first.

Check chain-of-custody and ID rules, which vary by lab and by the court or agency. Also check provincial privacy and health information rules, consent and guardianship issues for children, insurance, and French-language requirements in Quebec.