The organ donor designation is a checkbox or marking on your driver's license that tells medical professionals you want to donate your organs and tissues after death.
When you get or renew your license, you will be asked whether you want to be an organ donor. Your answer becomes part of your license record and is registered in your state's donor registry. If you say yes, your license will show a donor symbol — usually a heart, a special marking, or the word "donor" — depending on your state.
This is not a legal document on its own. The marking on your license is a way to communicate your wishes and to alert hospital staff that you have registered as a donor. Your state's registry is the official record that hospitals check when organ donation becomes possible.
Key Takeaways
- The donor mark on your license signals your wishes but is not legally binding; hospitals verify your status through your state's donor registry.
- You can register as a donor when you explore for or renew your license, or separately through your state's registry website.
- You can change your donor status at any time — either when you renew your license or by updating your state's registry directly.
- Your family can still override your donor wishes in some states, so telling them your decision in advance matters.
- Registering as a donor does not affect your medical care, insurance, or the cost of your funeral.
How to register as a donor when you get your license
When you explore for a new license or renew an existing one, the DMV will ask you directly whether you want to be an organ donor. You will see this question on the process form or on the screen at the DMV counter. You can answer yes or no, or in some states, you can decline to answer.
If you say yes, your license will be printed with a donor designation. The exact symbol or wording varies by state — some show a heart, others print the word "donor," and a few use a special code. Ask the DMV staff what your state's marking looks like so you know what to expect.
Your answer is automatically sent to your state's organ donor registry. This registry is what hospitals actually check; the marking on your license is a visual reminder and a backup signal of your wishes.
Registering separately from your license
You do not have to wait for a license renewal to register as a donor. Every state maintains a separate donor registry that you can join online, by phone, or by mail, usually through your state health department or a nonprofit organization that manages the registry for your state.
Going to the registry directly is faster if you want to register right away. You will need your driver's license number or state ID number, your date of birth, and your address. The process takes a few minutes online and is free.
If you register through the separate registry but do not have a donor mark on your current license, your registration is still valid and hospitals will find it. You can add the mark to your license at your next renewal, or you can leave it unmarked — the registry is what matters.
Changing your donor status
You can change your mind about organ donation at any time, and the change takes effect when ready. If you want to remove yourself from the donor registry, go to your state's registry website or call the registry directly and request removal. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, and driver's license number.
When you renew your license, you can also change your answer to the donor question. If you were a donor and no longer want to be, tell the DMV staff when you renew. If you were not a donor and now want to be, you can register at that time or through the separate registry without waiting for renewal.
Some states allow family members to register you as a donor after your death, even if you were not registered during your lifetime. However, if you have explicitly removed yourself from the registry, most states will honor that choice over a family member's request.
What happens if you are registered as a donor
If you are in a situation where organ donation becomes possible — typically after brain death or cardiac death in a hospital setting — hospital staff will check your state's donor registry to confirm your status. If you are registered, they will contact your family to discuss which organs and tissues can be recovered.
Your family will be involved in the process even if you are registered. Hospitals want to confirm your wishes with your loved ones and to gather medical information that affects which organs can be used. Being registered does not mean your family has no say; it means your documented wishes are known and will be respected.
Organ recovery is a surgical procedure that is treated with the same respect as any other surgery. After recovery, your body is released to a funeral home of your family's choice, and you can still have an open casket funeral if your family wishes.
Donor status does not affect your medical care or costs
Registering as an organ donor has no effect on the medical care you receive while you are alive. Doctors and hospitals do not treat registered donors differently, and your donor status is not visible to your regular doctors unless you tell them.
Being a registered donor does not affect your health insurance rates, your life insurance, or your ability to get coverage. It does not change the cost of your funeral or burial. These are common misconceptions, but they are not true.
Your donor status is separate from your medical records and is only accessed by hospital staff in the specific situation where organ donation becomes a possibility.
Telling your family about your decision
The most important step after registering as a donor is telling your family what you have decided. Even though your wishes are recorded in the registry, hospitals will still contact your family, and family members may not know to look at the registry or may not remember your choice in a moment of crisis.
Have a conversation with the people closest to you — your spouse, adult children, parents, or whoever would be making decisions on your behalf. Tell them whether you want to be a donor and why. If you have decided not to be a donor, tell them that too, so they understand your wishes.
You can also write your donor wishes in your will or advance directive, though the registry is the official record hospitals check. Having it in writing in multiple places removes any doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family override my donor registration?
In most states, hospitals will honor your registered wishes even if your family objects. However, some states allow family members to override your registration if they object strongly enough. The best protection is to tell your family your decision in advance so they understand and support it.
What organs and tissues can be donated?
Organs that can be transplanted include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine. Tissues include corneas, skin, bone, heart valves, and tendons. Not all of these can be recovered from every donor; it depends on age, health, and how death occurred. Hospital staff will determine what can be used.
If I register as a donor, will I still be able to have a funeral?
Yes. Organ and tissue recovery is a surgical procedure, and your body is treated respectfully. After recovery, your body is released to a funeral home, and you can have any type of funeral or memorial service your family chooses, including an open casket.
Can I register as a donor if I have a medical condition?
Most medical conditions do not disqualify you from being a donor. Age alone does not disqualify you either — people in their 60s, 70s, and older can be donors. Hospital staff will evaluate your medical history at the time donation becomes possible and will determine which organs and tissues can be used.
How do I know if my state has a separate donor registry?
Every state has a donor registry, though it may be run by the state health department, a nonprofit organization, or a combination. Search "[your state] organ donor registry" online, or ask at your DMV when you renew your license. Staff can direct you to your state's registry website.