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How to Become an Organ Donor

Learn about your state's organ donation laws and how you can become a donor.

Updated by , Attorney George Mason University Law School
Updated 5/28/2025

More than 100,000 people across the United States are currently waiting for donated organs. To be part of the solution to the ongoing need for donated organs and tissues, take the following steps to become a donor after your death.

Becoming an Organ Donor

Most states have similar methods for becoming an organ donor. Below are the typical ways that a person can become a donor.

1. Sign Up on Your State's Organ Donor Registry

To confirm your intention to be an organ donor, begin by registering with the organ donor database for your state. It takes just a few minutes to register online. After your death, medical personnel will search the state donor registry and easily locate your wish to be a donor.

2. Use Your Driver's License to Show You Are an Organ Donor

When you get a new driver's license, you'll be asked whether you would like to be an organ donor. If you say yes, your driver's license will reflect your choice and your information will be forwarded to your state's registry.

3. Include Organ Donation in Your Health Care Power of Attorney

In addition to signing up with your state's organ donor registry and using your driver's license to indicate that you want to be an organ donor, it's a good idea to include your desire to donate in your important estate planning documents, especially your health care power of attorney. (It's not always helpful to include your organ donation wishes in your will, because it might not be found and read until it's too late to donate.) Covering these bases helps to ensure that your wishes will be known and followed.

For additional information about making a health care power of attorney, see Living Wills & Medical Powers of Attorney.

4. Tell Others That You Are an Organ Donor

If you've documented your wishes to be an organ and tissue donor, your wishes must be honored whether or not others agree with your choice (see your state's statute, below). Nevertheless, to avoid confusion or delays, it's important to tell others that you feel strongly about donating your organs. Consider discussing the matter with family members, your health care providers, your clergyperson, if you have one, and close friends.

These conversations are critical because if you don't document your intention to be an organ donor, your next of kin will decide whether or not to donate your organs.

How to Donate Your Whole Body

Many medical schools and other institutions seek donations of whole bodies for research and instruction. You can make arrangements to donate your body to science by directly contacting an interested medical school or whole body donation organization.

For more information about donating your body to science, see the state-specific information in the chart below and review this list of body donation programs in the United States. You can also contact a national whole body donation organization such as Science Care.

If You Don't Want to Be an Organ Donor

If for any reason you feel strongly that you don't want to be an organ donor, you should put those wishes in writing. If you don't, your family members may consent to the donation of your organs after your death.

Write down your instructions in a signed, dated document -- perhaps in your health care power of attorney -- and be sure your family and health care providers know that you choose not to be an organ donor. If they know your wishes, they're legally barred from donating any part of your body.

If You Don't Decide to Be an Organ Donor, Who Will?

If you don't leave instructions about organ donation, state law dictates who will make the decision for you after your death. When a minor dies, the right to decide about organ donation goes to the child's parents. For adults, the right generally goes (in this order) to a person's:

  • health care agent (if you named one)
  • spouse
  • adult children
  • parents, and
  • siblings.

If the above people aren't available, some state laws allow other people, including more distant relatives, to donate a deceased person's organs (see the state chart below).

If you have any concerns that the right to make decisions about donating your organs would go to a person other than the one you would choose, don't procrastinate. Take the time to document your own decision about organ donation.

Organ Donation Information by State

Alabama

State registry: Legacy of Hope

Driver's License Information: Ala. Code § 22-19-70

Right to have wishes honored: Ala. Code § 22-19-167

Right not to donate: Ala. Code § 22-19-166

Who decides: Ala. Code § 22-19-168

Whole body donation: University of Alabama, Science Care

Alaska

State registry: Life Alaska

Driver's License Information: Alaska Driver Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Alaska Stat. § 13-52-193

Right not to donate: Alaska Stat. § 13-52-187

Who decides: Alaska Stat. § 13-52-197

Whole body donation: Science Care

Arkansas

State registry: Donate Life Arkansas

Driver's License Information: Arkansas DMV

Right to have wishes honored: Ark. Code § 20-17-1208

Right not to donate: Ark. Code § 20-17-1207

Who decides: Ark. Code § 20-17-1209

Whole body donation: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, Science Care

Arizona

State registry: Donate Life Arizona

Driver's License Information: Organ Donation Program at ADOT

Right to have wishes honored: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-847

Right not to donate: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-846

Who decides: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-848

Whole body donation: University of Arizona Willed Body Program

California

State registry: Donate Life California

Driver's License Information: California DMV

Right to have wishes honored: California Health & Safety Code § 7150.35

Right not to donate: California Health & Safety Code § 7150.25

Who decides: California Health & Safety Code § 7150.40

Whole body donation: Science Care

Colorado

State registry: Donate Life Colorado

Driver's License Information: Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-19-205

Right not to donate: Col. Rev. Stat. § 15-19-207

Who decides: Col. Rev. Stat. § 15-19-209

Whole body donation: Science Care

Connecticut

State registry: Donate Life Connecticut

Driver's License Information: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-289g

Right not to donate: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-289f

Who decides: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-289h

Whole body donation: Science Care

Delaware

State registry: Donate Life Delaware

Driver's License Information: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Del. Code tit. 16, § 2711(f) and (g)

Right not to donate: Del. Code tit. 16, § 2711(c) and (d)

Who decides: Del. Code tit. 16, § 2711(c)

Whole body donation: Science Care

District of Columbia

State registry: Donate Life D.C.

Driver's License Information: District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: D.C. Code § 7-1531.07

Right not to donate: D.C. Code § 7-1531.06

Who decides: D.C. Code § 7-1531.08

Whole body donation: Science Care

Florida

State registry: Donate Life Florida

Driver's License Information: Florida Driver's Handbook

Right to have wishes honored: Fla. Stat. § 765.512(b)

Right not to donate: Fla. Stat. § 765.512(3) and (4)

Who decides: Fla. Stat. § 765.512(2) and (3)

Whole body donation: Science Care

Georgia

State registry: Donate Life Georgia

Driver's License Information: Georgia Department of Driver Services

Right to have wishes honored: Ga. Code § 44-5-146

Right not to donate: Ga. Code § 44-5-145

Who decides: Ga. Code § 44-5-147

Whole body donation: Science Care

Hawaii

State registry: Legacy of Life Hawaii

Driver's License Information: Hawaii Driver's Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 327-8

Right not to donate: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 327-7

Who decides: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 327-9

Whole body donation: Science Care

Idaho

State registry: Yes! Idaho Organ Donor Registry

Driver's License Information: Idaho Driver's Handbook

Right to have wishes honored: Idaho Code § 39-3408

Right not to donate: Idaho Code § 39-3407

Who decides: Idaho Code § 39-3409

Whole body donation: Science Care

Illinois

State registry: Life Goes On Organ Tissue Donor Program

Driver's License Information: Illinois Rules of the Road

Right to have wishes honored: 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 50/5-7

Right not to donate: 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 50/5-43

Who decides: 755 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 50/5-5

Whole body donation: Science Care

Indiana

State registry: Donate Life Indiana

Driver's License Information: Indiana Driver's Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-7

Right not to donate: Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-6

Who decides: Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-8

Whole body donation: Science Care

Iowa

State registry: Iowa Donor Network

Driver's License Information: Iowa Department of Transportation

Right to have wishes honored: Iowa Code § 142C.3

Right not to donate: Iowa Code § 142C.3

Who decides: Iowa Code § 142C.4

Whole body donation: Science Care

Kansas

State registry: Donate Life Kansas

Driver's License Information: Kansas Driver's Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Kan. Stat. § 65-3227

Right not to donate: Kan. Stat. § 65-3226

Who decides: Kan. Stat. § 65-3228

Whole body donation: Science Care

Kentucky

State registry: Donate Life Kentucky

Driver's License Information: Kentucky Driver Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 311.1923

Right not to donate: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 311.1921

Who decides: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 311.1925

Whole body donation: Science Care

Louisiana

State registry: Donate Life Louisiana

Driver's License Information: Louisiana Driver's Guide

Right to have wishes honored: La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2354.2

Right not to donate: La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2354.1

Who decides: La. Rev. Stat. § 17:2354.3

Whole body donation: Science Care

Maine

State registry: Donate Life Maine

Driver's License Information: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, § 2948

Right not to donate: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, § 2947

Who decides: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, § 2949

Whole body donation: Science Care

Maryland

State registry: Donate Life Maryland

Driver's License Information: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

Right to have wishes honored: Md. Code Est. & Trusts § 4-506

Right not to donate: Md. Code Est. & Trusts § 4-505

Who decides: Md. Code Est. & Trusts § 4-507

Whole body donation: Science Care

Massachusetts

State registry: Donate Life New England

Driver's License Information: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 113A, § 8

Right not to donate: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 113A, § 7

Who decides: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 113A, § 9

Whole body donation: Science Care

Michigan

State registry: Gift of Life Michigan

Driver's License Information: Michigan Secretary of State

Right to have wishes honored: Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.10108

Right not to donate: Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.10107

Who decides: Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.10109

Whole body donation: Science Care

Minnesota

State registry: Donate Life Minnesota

Driver's License Information: Minnesota Driver's Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Minn. Stat. § 525A.08

Right not to donate: Minn. Stat. § 525A.07

Who decides: Minn. Stat. § 525A.09

Whole body donation: Science Care

Mississippi

State registry: Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA)

Driver's License Information: Mississippi Driver's License Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Miss. Code § 41-39-115

Right not to donate: Miss. Code § 41-39-113

Who decides: Miss. Code § 41-39-117

Whole body donation: Science Care

Missouri

State registry: Donate Life Missouri

Driver's License Information: Missouri Driver Guide

Right to have wishes honored: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 194.240

Right not to donate: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 194.235

Who decides: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 194.245

Whole body donation: Science Care

Montana

State registry: Donate Life Montana

Driver's License Information: Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicles Division

Right to have wishes honored: Mont. Code § 72-17-201(13)

Right not to donate: Mont. Code § 72-17-201(14)

Who decides: Mont. Code § 72-17-214

Whole body donation: Science Care

Nebraska

State registry: Live on Nebraska

Driver's License Information: Nebraska Driver's Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-4831

Right not to donate: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-4830

Who decides: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-4832

Whole body donation: Science Care

Nevada

State registry: Nevada Donor Network

Driver's License Information: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 451.562

Right not to donate: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 451.561

Who decides: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 451.566

Whole body donation: Science Care

New Hampshire

State registry: New England Donor Services

Driver's License Information: New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: N.H. Rev. Stat. § 291-A:8

Right not to donate: N.H. Rev. Stat. § 291-A:7

Who decides: N.H. Rev. Stat. § 291-A:9

Whole body donation: Science Care

New Jersey

State registry: Donate Life New Jersey

Driver's License Information: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

Right to have wishes honored: N.J. Stat. § 26:6-84

Right not to donate: N.J. Stat. § 26:6-83

Who decides: N.J. Stat. § 26:6-85

Whole body donation: Science Care

New Mexico

State registry: New Mexico Donor Services

Driver's License Information: New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division

Right to have wishes honored: N.M. Stat. § 24-6B-8

Right not to donate: N.M. Stat. § 24-6B-7

Who decides: N.M. Stat. § 24-6B-9

Whole body donation: Science Care

New York

State registry: Donate Life New York State

Driver's License Information: New York Department of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4301(1)

Right not to donate: N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4301(2)

Who decides: N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4301(2)

Whole body donation: Science Care

North Carolina

State registry: Donate Life North Carolina

Driver's License Information: North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-412.10

Right not to donate: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-412.9

Who decides: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-412.11

Whole body donation: Science Care

North Dakota

State registry: Donate Life North Dakota

Driver's License Information: North Dakota Department of Transportation

Right to have wishes honored: N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06.6-07

Right not to donate: N.D. Cent. Code § 23-06.6-06

Who decides: N.D. Cent Code § 23-06.6-08

Whole body donation: Science Care

Ohio

State registry: Donate Life Ohio

Driver's License Information: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Ohio Rev. Code § 2108.08

Right not to donate: Ohio Rev. Code § 2108.07

Who decides: Ohio Rev. Code § 2108.09

Whole body donation: Science Care

Oklahoma

State registry: LifeShare Donor Registry for Oklahoma

Driver's License Information: Oklahoma Driver Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 2200.8A

Right not to donate: Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 2200.7A

Who decides: Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 2200.9A

Whole body donation: Science Care

Oregon

State registry: Donate Life Northwest

Driver's License Information: Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services

Right to have wishes honored: Or. Rev. Stat. § 97.963

Right not to donate: Or. Rev. Stat. § 97.961

Who decides: Or. Rev. Stat. § 97.965

Whole body donation: Science Care

Pennsylvania

State registry: Donate Life Pennsylvania

Driver's License Information: Pennsylvania Driver & Vehicle Services

Right to have wishes honored: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 8611

Right not to donate: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 8611(b)

Who decides: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 8611(b)

Whole body donation: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 8611(a), Science Care

Rhode Island

State registry: New England Donor Services

Driver's License Information: Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-18.6.1-8

Right not to donate: R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-18.6.1-7

Who decides: R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-18.6.1-9

Whole body donation: Science Care

South Carolina

State registry: Donate Life South Carolina

Driver's License Information: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: S.C. Code § 44-43-335

Right not to donate: S.C. Code § 44-43-330

Who decides: S.C. Code § 44-43-340

Whole body donation: Science Care

South Dakota

State registry: Donate Life Midwest

Driver's License Information: South Dakota Department of Public Safety

Right to have wishes honored: S.D. Codified Laws § 34-26-55

Right not to donate: S.D. Codified Laws § 34-26-54

Who decides: S.D. Codified Laws § 34-26-56

Whole body donation: Science Care

Tennessee

State registry: Donate Life Tennessee

Driver's License Information: Tennessee Driver's License Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Tenn. Code § 68-30-108

Right not to donate: Tenn. Code § 68-30-107

Who decides: Tenn. Code § 68-30-109

Whole body donation: Science Care

Texas

State registry: Donate Life Texas

Driver's License Information: Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division

Right to have wishes honored: Tex. Health & Safety Code § 692A.008

Right not to donate: Tex. Health & Safety Code § 692A.007

Who decides: Tex. Health & Safety Code § 692A.009

Whole body donation: Science Care

Utah

State registry: Yes! Utah Donor Registry

Driver's License Information: Utah Driver Handbook

Right to have wishes honored: Utah Code § 26B-8-307

Right not to donate: Utah Code § 26B-8-306

Who decides: Utah Code § 26B-8-308

Whole body donation: Science Care

Vermont

State registry: Donate Life Vermont

Driver's License Information: Vermont Driver's Manual

Right to have wishes honored: Vt. Stat. tit. 18, § 5250h

Right not to donate: Vt. Stat. tit. 18, § 5250g

Who decides: Vt. Stat. tit. 18, § 5250i

Whole body donation: Science Care

Virginia

State registry: Donate Life Virginia

Driver's License Information: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: Va. Code § 32.1-291.8

Right not to donate: Va. Code § 32.1-291.7

Who decides: Va. Code § 32.1-291.9

Whole body donation: Science Care

Washington

State registry: Donate Life Northwest

Driver's License Information: Washington State Department of Licensing

Right to have wishes honored: Wash. Rev. Code § 68.64.070

Right not to donate: Wash. Rev. Code § 68.64.060

Who decides: Wash Rev. Code § 68.64.080

Whole body donation: Science Care

West Virginia

State registry: Donate Life West Virginia

Driver's License Information: West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles

Right to have wishes honored: W. Va. Code § 16-19-8

Right not to donate: W. Va. Code § 16-19-7

Who decides: W. Va. Code § 16-19-9

Whole body donation: Science Care

Wisconsin

State registry: Donate Life Wisconsin

Driver's License Information: Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Right to have wishes honored: Wis. Stat. § 157.06(8)

Right not to donate: Wis. Stat. § 157.06(7)

Who decides: Wis. Stat. § 157.06(9)

Whole body donation: Science Care

Wyoming

State registry: Donate Life Wyoming

Driver's License Information: Wyoming Department of Transportation

Right to have wishes honored: Wyo. Stat. § 35-5-208

Right not to donate: Wyo. Stat. § 35-5-207

Who decides: Wyo. Stat. § 35-5-209

Whole body donation: Science Care

For More Information

To learn more about organ donation, see the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at OrganDonor.gov.

Also, learn more about estate planning, organ donation, funerals, and memorials on the Getting Your Affairs in Order section of Nolo.com.

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