- Can I specify which organs to donate?
- Yes — most state registries let you choose specific organs or tissues when you register. Look for an 'organ selection' option on your state's registry form. If you want to donate everything, you can leave the default (all organs) in place.
- What if I change my mind?
- You can update your registration at any time through your state's registry website. More importantly: tell your family your decision, whatever it is. A documented registration is binding, but families who know your wishes are less likely to experience doubt or conflict.
- Does being registered affect my medical care?
- No. Federal law requires that the team treating you and the team coordinating donation be entirely separate. Donation isn't considered until after death is declared — by criteria that have nothing to do with whether you're registered. Your care comes first, always.
- Will donation affect an open-casket funeral?
- Not in the way most people fear. Surgeons close incisions carefully, and the vast majority of donor families proceed with open-casket services. Tissue donation (skin, corneas) may affect appearance in ways that a funeral director can address.
- Does being registered affect my life or health insurance?
- No. Donor registries are not accessible to insurers, employers, or the public. Your registration cannot be used against you in any coverage or employment decision.
- What does the process look like for my family?
- If you're registered and become a candidate for donation, a donation coordinator from your regional OPO (Organ Procurement Organization) contacts your family, explains what donation means, and ensures they understand your decision. Families can ask questions and, in some cases, decline specific organs. The process is handled with care and around the family's timeline.
- Is my registry decision private?
- Your registration is not a public record. Your family and medical team are informed if donation becomes relevant; no one else has access to the registry. It doesn't appear on background checks or any public database.
- How long does registration take?
- Two to five minutes online for most states. You'll need your name, date of birth, and address. That's it. Find your state's registry at the top of this page.
- I'm under 18 — can I register?
- It depends on your state. Most require you to be 18, or to have parental consent. Some states allow registration at 16 with a parent's signature. Check your state registry's eligibility section for the specific rule where you live.
- What's mandated choice, and why does OAI advocate for it?
- Mandated choice means every adult is asked once — yes or no — when they interact with a government agency like the DMV. Their answer is recorded. About 90% of Americans support organ donation, but only around 60% are signed up. Mandated choice closes that gap without coercion: no one is opted in without consent. California's SB 1395 (2023) is the first U.S. mandated-choice law, and early data suggest it's working.
- I checked a box at the DMV years ago. Am I still registered?
- Probably — but it's worth confirming. Registries have changed over the years, and some early DMV records didn't transfer cleanly to the modern digital registry. It takes two minutes to search your name on your state registry's site and verify your status is current.
- My family says they'll override my decision. Can they?
- Legally, a first-person registration is binding in most states — it authorizes donation on your behalf without requiring family consent. In practice, hospitals will not proceed over strong family objection, even when a registration exists. The most reliable protection is telling your family your decision now, while you can explain it. A conversation today spares them from doubt in the hardest moment.
