Over 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.
How to Become an Organ 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 will 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 may not be found and read until it is 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 make the decision about 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 do not 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 are legally barred from donating any part of your body.
If You Don't Make the Decision, Who Will?
If you don't leave instructions about organ donation, state law decides 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 to, in this order: your health care agent (if you named one), spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, and then increasingly distant relatives determined by the laws of your state (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
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State registry: Legacy of Hope
Driver's License Information: Alabama Code Title 22 Health, Mental Health and Environmental Control § 22-19-70
Right to have wishes honored: Alabama Code Title 22 Health, Mental Health and Environmental Control § 22-19-167
Right not to donate: Alabama Code Title 22 Health, Mental Health and Environmental Control § 22-19-166
Who decides: Alabama Code Title 22 Health, Mental Health and Environmental Control § 22-19-168
Whole body donation: University of Alabama, Science Care
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Alaska
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State registry: Life Alaska
Driver's License Information: Alaska Driver Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Alaska Code § 13-52-193
Right not to donate: Alaska Code § 13-52-187
Who decides: Alaska Code § 13-52-197
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Arkansas
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State registry: Donate Life Arkansas
Driver's License Information: Arkansas Driver Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Arkansas Code § 20-17-1208.
Right not to donate: Arkansas Code § 20-17-1207
Who decides: Arkansas Code § 20-17-1209
Whole body donation: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, Science Care
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Arizona
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State registry: Donate Life Arizona
Driver's License Information: Organ Donation Program at ADOT
Right to have wishes honored: Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-846
Right not to donate: Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-847
Who decides: Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-848
Whole body donation: University of Arizona Willed Body Program
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California
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State registry: Donate Life California
Driver's License Information: California Driver Handbook
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
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Colorado
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State registry: Donate Life Colorado
Driver's License Information: Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-19-205
Right not to donate: Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-19-207
Who decides: Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-19-209
Whole body donation: University of Colorado Denver, Science Care
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Connecticut
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State registry: Donate Life Connecticut
Driver's License Information: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: Connecticut Code § 19a-289g
Right not to donate: Connecticut Code § 19a-289f
Who decides: Connecticut Code § 19a-289h
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Delaware
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State registry: Donate Life Delaware
Driver's License Information: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: Delaware Code § 2711(f) and (g)
Right not to donate: Delaware Code § 2711(c) and (d)
Who decides: Delaware Code § 2711(c)
Whole body donation: Science Care
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District of Columbia
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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
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Florida
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State registry: Donate Life Florida
Driver's License Information: Florida Driver's Handbook
Right to have wishes honored: Florida Statutes § 765.512(b)
Right not to donate: Florida Statutes § 765.512(3) and (4)
Who decides: Florida Statutes § 765.512(2) and (3)
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Georgia
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State registry: Donate Life Georgia
Driver's License Information: Georgia Department of Driver Services
Right to have wishes honored: Georgia Code § 44-5-146
Right not to donate: Georgia Code § 44-5-145
Who decides: Georgia Code § 44-5-147
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Hawaii
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State registry: Legacy of Life Hawaii
Driver's License Information: Hawaii Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 327-8
Right not to donate: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 327-7
Who decides: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 327-9
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Idaho
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State registry: Yes! Idaho Organ Donor Registry
Driver's License Information: Idaho Driver's Handbook
Right to have wishes honored: Idaho Statutes § 39-3408
Right not to donate: Idaho Statutes § 39-3407
Who decides: Idaho Statutes § 39-3409
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Illinois
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State registry: Donate Life Illinois, Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry
Driver's License Information: Illinois Rules of the Road
Right to have wishes honored: 755 ILCS § 50/5-7
Right not to donate: 755 ILCS § 50/5-43
Who decides: 755 ILCS § 50/5-5
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Indiana
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State registry: Donate Life Indiana
Driver's License Information: Indiana Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Indiana Code § 29-2-16.1-7
Right not to donate: Indiana Code § 29-2-16.1-6
Who decides: Indiana Code § 29-2-16.1-8
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Iowa
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State registry: Iowa Donor Registry
Driver's License Information: Iowa Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Iowa Code § 142C.3.5
Right not to donate: Iowa Code § 142C.3.4
Who decides: Iowa Code § 142C.4
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Kansas
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State registry: Donate Life Kansas
Driver's License Information: Kansas Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Kansas Statutes § 65-3227
Right not to donate: Kansas Statutes § 65-3226
Who decides: Kansas Statutes § 65-3228
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Kentucky
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State registry: Donate Life Kentucky
Driver's License Information: Kentucky Driver Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Kentucky Statutes § 311.1923
Right not to donate: Kentucky Statutes § 311.1921
Who decides: Kentucky Statutes § 311.1925
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Louisiana
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State registry: Donate Life Louisiana
Driver's License Information: Louisiana Driver's Guide
Right to have wishes honored: Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:2354-2
Right not to donate: Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:2354-1
Who decides: Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:2354.3
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Maine
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State registry: Donate Life Maine
Driver's License Information: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: Maine Revised Statutes § 2948
Right not to donate: Maine Revised Statutes § 2947
Who decides: Maine Revised Statutes § 2949
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Maryland
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State registry: Donate Life Maryland
Driver's License Information: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Right to have wishes honored: Maryland Estates & Trusts Code § 4-506
Right not to donate: Maryland Estates & Trusts Code § 4-505
Who decides: Maryland Estates & Trusts Code § 4-507
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Massachusetts
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State registry: Donate Life New England
Driver's License Information: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 113A § 8
Right not to donate: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 113A § 7
Who decides: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 113A § 9
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Michigan
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State registry: Gift of Life Michigan
Driver's License Information: Michigan Secretary of State
Right to have wishes honored: Michigan Compiled Laws § 333.10108
Right not to donate: Michigan Compiled Laws § 333.10107
Who decides: Michigan Compiled Laws § 333.10109
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Minnesota
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State registry: Donate Life Minnesota
Driver's License Information: Minnesota Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Minnesota Statutes § 525A.08
Right not to donate: Minnesota Statutes § 525A.07
Who decides: Minnesota Statutes § 525A.09
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Mississippi
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State registry: Donate Life Mississippi
Driver's License Information: Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency
Right to have wishes honored: Mississippi Code § 41-39-115
Right not to donate: Mississippi Code § 41-39-113
Who decides: Mississippi Code § 41-39-117
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Missouri
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State registry: Donate Life Missouri
Driver's License Information: Missouri Driver Guide
Right to have wishes honored: Missouri Revised Statutes § 194.240
Right not to donate: Missouri Revised Statutes § 194.235
Who decides: Missouri Revised Statutes § 194.245
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Montana
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State registry: Donate Life Montana
Driver's License Information: Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicles Division
Right to have wishes honored: Montana Code Annotated § 72-17-201(13)
Right not to donate: Montana Code Annotated § 72-17-201(14)
Who decides: Montana Code Annotated § 72-17-214
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Nebraska
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State registry: Live on Nebraska
Driver's License Information: Nebraska Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Nebraska Revised Statutes § 71-4831
Right not to donate: Nebraska Revised Statutes § 71-4830
Who decides: Nebraska Revised Statutes § 71-4832
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Nevada
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State registry: Nevada Donor Network
Driver's License Information: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: Nevada Revised Statutes § 451.562
Right not to donate: Nevada Revised Statutes § 451.561
Who decides: Nevada Revised Statutes § 451.566
Whole body donation: Science Care
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New Hampshire
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State registry: Donate Life New England
Driver's License Information: New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 291-A:8
Right not to donate: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 291-A:7
Who decides: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 291-A:9
Whole body donation: Science Care
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New Jersey
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State registry: Donate Life New Jersey
Driver's License Information: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Right to have wishes honored: New Jersey Statutes § 26:6-84
Right not to donate: New Jersey Statutes § 26:6-83
Who decides: New Jersey Statutes § 26:6-85
Whole body donation: Science Care
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New Mexico
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State registry: Donate Life New Mexico
Driver's License Information: New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
Right to have wishes honored: New Mexico Statutes § 24-6B-8
Right not to donate: New Mexico Statutes § 24-6B-7
Who decides: New Mexico Statutes § 24-6B-9
Whole body donation: Science Care
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New York
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State registry: Donate Life New York State
Driver's License Information: New York Department of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: New York Public Health Law § 4301(1)
Right not to donate: New York Public Health Law § 4301(2)
Who decides: New York Public Health Law § 4301(2)
Whole body donation: Science Care
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North Carolina
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State registry: Donate Life North Carolina
Driver's License Information: North Carolina Driver Handbook
Right to have wishes honored: North Carolina General Statutes § 130A-412.10
Right not to donate: North Carolina General Statutes § 130A-412.9
Who decides: North Carolina General Statutes § 130A-412.11
Whole body donation: Science Care
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North Dakota
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State registry: Donate Life North Dakota
Driver's License Information: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Right to have wishes honored: North Dakota Code § 23-06.6-07
Right not to donate: North Dakota Code § 23-06.6-06
Who decides: North Dakota Code § 23-06.6-08
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Ohio
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State registry: Donate Life Ohio
Driver's License Information: Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws
Right to have wishes honored: Ohio Revised Code § 2108.08
Right not to donate: Ohio Revised Code § 2108.07
Who decides: Ohio Revised Code § 2108.09
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Oklahoma
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State registry: LifeShare Donor Registry for Oklahoma
Driver's License Information: Oklahoma Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Oklahoma Statutes § 2200.8A
Right not to donate: Oklahoma Statutes § 2200.7A
Who decides: Oklahoma Statutes § 2200.9A
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Oregon
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State registry: Donate Life Northwest
Driver's License Information: Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services
Right to have wishes honored: Oregon Revised Statutes § 97.963
Right not to donate: Oregon Revised Statutes § 97.961
Who decides: Oregon Revised Statutes § 97.965
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Pennsylvania
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State registry: Donate Life Pennsylvania
Driver's License Information: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual
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
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Rhode Island
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State registry: Donate Life Rhode Island
Driver's License Information: Rhode Island Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Rhode Island Statutes § 23-18.6.1-8
Right not to donate: Rhode Island Statutes § 23-18.6.1-7
Who decides: Rhode Island Statutes § 23-18.6.1-9
Whole body donation: Science Care
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South Carolina
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State registry: Donate Life South Carolina
Driver's License Information: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: South Carolina Code § 44-43-335
Right not to donate: South Carolina Code § 44-43-330
Who decides: South Carolina Code § 44-43-340
Whole body donation: Science Care
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South Dakota
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State registry: Donate Life Midwest
Driver's License Information: South Dakota Department of Public Safety
Right to have wishes honored: South Dakota Codified Laws § 34-26-55
Right not to donate: South Dakota Codified Laws § 34-26-54
Who decides: South Dakota Codified Laws § 34-26-56
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Tennessee
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State registry: Donate Life Tennessee
Driver's License Information: Tennessee Driver's License Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Tennessee Code § 68-30-108
Right not to donate: Tennessee Code § 68-30-107
Who decides: Tennessee Code § 68-30-109
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Texas
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State registry: Donate Life Texas
Driver's License Information: Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division
Right to have wishes honored: Texas Code § 692A.008
Right not to donate: Texas Code § 692A.007
Who decides: Texas Code § 692A.009
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Utah
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State registry: Yes! Utah Donor Registry
Driver's License Information: Utah Driver Handbook
Right to have wishes honored: Utah Code § 26-28-108
Right not to donate: Utah Code § 26-28-107
Who decides: Utah Code § 26-28-109
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Vermont
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State registry: Donate Life Vermont
Driver's License Information: Vermont Driver's Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Vermont Statutes § 5250h
Right not to donate: Vermont Statutes § 5250g
Who decides: Vermont Statutes § 5250i
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Virginia
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State registry: Donate Life Virginia
Driver's License Information: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Right to have wishes honored: Virginia Code § 32.1-291.8
Right not to donate: Virginia Code § 32.1-291.7
Who decides: Virginia Code § 32.1-291.9
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Washington
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State registry: Donate Life Northwest
Driver's License Information: Washington State Department of Licensing
Right to have wishes honored: RCW § 68.64.070
Right not to donate: RCW § 68.64.060
Who decides: RCW § 68.64.080
Whole body donation: Science Care
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West Virginia
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State registry: Donate Life West Virginia
Driver's License Information: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook
Right to have wishes honored: West Virginia Code § 16-19-8
Right not to donate: West Virginia Code § 16-19-7
Who decides: West Virginia Code § 16-19-9
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Wisconsin
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State registry: Donate Life Wisconsin
Driver's License Information: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Right to have wishes honored: Wisconsin Statutes § 157.06(8)
Right not to donate: Wisconsin Statutes § 157.06(7)
Who decides: Wisconsin Statutes § 157.06(9)
Whole body donation: Science Care
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Wyoming
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State registry: Donate Life Wyoming
Driver's License Information: Wyoming Driver License Manual
Right to have wishes honored: Wyoming Statutes § 35-5-208
Right not to donate: Wyoming Statutes § 35-5-207
Who decides: Wyoming Statutes § 35-5-209
Whole body donation: Science Care
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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 estate planning, organ donation, funerals, and memorials on the Getting Your Affairs in Order section of Nolo.com.