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How Do I Register as an Organ or Tissue Donor?
At this time in the U.S., there are four ways to register to be an organ or tissue donor. In addition to signing up in your state’s registry, it’s also […]
At this time in the U.S., there are four ways to register to be an organ or tissue donor.
- Register when you apply for or renew a driver’s license. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, every state and the District of Columbia allows you to register as an organ donor when you apply for or renew your driver’s license. Most states give you the option to indicate which organs or tissues you want to donate.
- Register on your state donor registry. Every state in the U.S. maintains a central database of registered organ donors. To sign up in your state, click your state on Organdonor.gov and you will be taken to the registration form for your state. If you signed up when you got your driver’s license, you DO NOT need to register again. However, you can view your profile and make changes to your registration on the state donor registry at any time. However, if there is a “donor” designation on your driver’s license and you revoke consent in the registry, you may need to request a new driver’s license that indicates your new status.
- Register online at Donate Life America, the organ donation national registry. This information will be shared with the registry in your state.
- Sign up using the iPhone Health app: Using the Medical ID feature, you can sign up with Donate Life America by clicking an option and filling out a form. Your registration will go to your state donor registry and appear on your phone, where you, medical staff and first responders can access it.
In addition to signing up in your state’s registry, it’s also important to tell your loved ones and healthcare agent that you want to donate so they can honor your wishes when you die. According to Donate Life California, 72% of Americans who are eligible to donate organs at the time of their death do so, even if they did not register as an organ donor before. This is almost entirely because families feel certain that their loved one would want to donate their organs to save other lives.
Sources
“Sign Up To Be An Organ Donor”. Health Resources & Services Administration. https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up
“National Donate Life Registry”. Donate Life. https://registerme.org/
