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Paternity test (DNA test)
Abstammung (DNA) © © https://www.canva.com/
General information:
Paternity reports (DNA tests) are used to prove biological parentage beyond doubt. This may be required in certain legal proceedings and individual cases.
Should the Consulate-General in Lagos deem such a parentage report to be necessary, it will notify the persons concerned, usually in writing. German authorities and courts may also request the Consulate-General’s assistance with a DNA test within the framework of mutual administrative assistance if such a report is deemed necessary.
Should written notification be issued, the parents must ensure that a suitable institute based in Germany (e.g. via http://www.vaterschaftstest.de/) is selected for the collection of samples (foreign DNA testing laboratories are not accepted). If a laboratory has already been selected (because a sample has already been taken from the person concerned living in Germany), they should contact that laboratory to arrange for the relevant test kits to be sent to the Consulate-General in Lagos.
The Institute’s documents must be submitted to us in (German and) English, as in most cases the trial participants do not speak German. The official language in Nigeria is English. If documents are available only in German, or if the trial participants speak neither German nor English but only their tribal language, family members or close relatives should accompany them to ensure that the documents can be translated. Should it be necessary to involve internal staff or engage an interpreter for the translation, additional costs – to be calculated according to the time required – are to be expected, which cannot be covered by the Consulate-General.
Incomplete documents sent by the commissioned institute will be returned by post.
- Fixed appointments: The Consulate-General organises group appointments and sends out invitations to the participants. Invitations are usually sent by email. Participants should provide their full names, email address(es) and, where applicable, telephone numbers.
- Professional collection: The DNA samples (usually a buccal swab) are collected on site at the Consulate-General by medical staff working in partnership with the Consulate-General.
- Official supervision: A consular officer supervises the entire process and verifies the identity of the individuals as well as ensuring that the procedure is carried out correctly.
- The costs of the DNA analysis are to be borne by the applicants.
- The following fees and advance payments are payable:
- On the day of the appointment, fees totalling 22,000 NGN will be charged at the Consulate-General, payable either in cash or by Nigerian bank card via a POS terminal.
- In addition, there are costs in the form of an advance payment to the doctor’s office to cover the services of the medical staff. These currently amount to 20,000 NGN per person to be tested. Payment must be made a few days, but at least one day, before the appointment. The relevant bank account details are provided in the invitations previously sent to those concerned. Cash payment on the day of the test is not possible. Applicants who have not made the payment in time will be turned away.
- A printout of the invitation email
- A printout of the advance payment made to the doctor’s surgery (proof of payment/bank statement)
- One passport-sized photograph per person (of the parents and children between whom parentage is to be established)
- Identity documents (the following are accepted: passport, NINS, driving licence, or, where applicable, student ID card of the persons entering the Consulate General on the day of the sample collection)
- If no parent with legal custody can be present at the appointment: a letter of consent from the mother or father, or the legal guardian (in writing, accompanied by copies of their passports), so that the necessary documents can be signed.
Important: If identity documents or a letter of consent (where required) are missing, individuals will not be granted access to the Consulate-General. Should this apply to legal guardians or third parties, minor children will also be denied access.
Consent Form (for an accompanying adult at a DNA appointment for minors)
Test results can usually be expected after a few weeks. In cases where this is possible, and provided that the individuals concerned have expressed a wish to receive the results in the documents submitted on the day of the sample collection, the institute will inform them accordingly.
Use of the official courier service for public authorities and institutes: