You can remove organ donor status from your Texas license in person at the DPS office, by mail, or online through the Texas DPS website

Texas lets you change your organ donor choice at any time. You do not need a reason, and the state will not ask you to explain. The fastest way is to visit a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person — staff can update your record while you wait, and the change takes effect when ready on your license. If you cannot visit an office, you can request the change by mail or handle it online through the Texas DPS portal.

Your current license will still show the donor symbol until you renew it or get a replacement. Some people choose to get a replacement card right away so the new one reflects their decision; others wait until their next renewal. Both options are available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • You can remove organ donor status in person at any DPS office, by mail with a signed form, or online through the Texas DPS website.
  • An in-person visit is the fastest method and takes effect when ready, though your physical card will not change until you renew or replace it.
  • If you remove donor status by mail or online, keep a copy of your request for your records in case questions arise later.
  • Removing donor status does not affect your license validity or driving privileges in any way.

Removing donor status in person at a DPS office

Walk into any Texas DPS office with your current driver's license or ID card. Tell the staff member you want to remove the organ donor designation. They will ask you to sign a form confirming the change. The update goes into the state system right away, and your record is changed that same day.

You do not need to bring any documents other than your license. The office will not charge you a fee for this change. Your physical card will still show the donor symbol until you renew your license or pay for a replacement card, but your official record in the DPS system will reflect that you are no longer a registered donor.

To find the DPS office nearest you, visit the Texas DPS website and use their office locator tool. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some locations have extended hours. Call ahead if you want to confirm wait times.

Removing donor status by mail

read the form titled "process for Texas Driver License or Identification Card" (Form DL-44) from the Texas DPS website, or request one by calling the DPS at 1-888-589-6789. On the form, mark the box that says you do not want to be an organ donor. Sign and date the form, then mail it to the address listed on the form along with your current license.

Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. The DPS will mail your updated license back to you, and your record will change as soon as they process the form. Keep a copy of what you mailed for your records. If you do not receive a response within four weeks, call the DPS to confirm they received your request.

Removing donor status online through the Texas DPS portal

Visit the Texas DPS online services portal and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. Navigate to the section for updating your license information. Select the option to change your organ donor status and confirm that you want to remove the designation. The system will ask you to review your choice before you submit.

Online changes take effect in the state system within one business day. Like the mail method, your physical card will not change until you renew or request a replacement. Print or save a copy of your confirmation page as proof that you made the request.

What happens to your physical card

Your current license will continue to display the organ donor symbol even after you remove donor status from your record. This can be confusing, but the symbol on the card and your actual registration status are separate things. Your official status in the DPS system is what matters for medical purposes — if you are in an accident or medical emergency, hospitals check the state registry, not the symbol on your card.

If you want your physical card to match your new status right away, you can request a replacement card. This costs the same as a renewal (usually around $16 for a standard license) and takes about two weeks to arrive by mail. You can do this in person at a DPS office or by mail using the same form you would use to change your donor status.

Organ donor status and your driving record

Removing organ donor status does not affect your license validity, your driving privileges, your insurance rates, or anything else related to driving. It is purely a medical registry choice. Your license remains valid and legal to use.

Some people worry that removing donor status will be recorded or flagged somewhere. It will not. The change is private and goes into the same system as any other license update. No one outside the DPS and medical professionals will know about the change unless you tell them.

If you change your mind later

You can add organ donor status back to your license at any time using the same methods: in person at a DPS office, by mail, or online. There is no waiting period and no penalty for changing your mind multiple times. Many people update their donor choice as their circumstances or wishes change over the years.

If you want to register as a donor again, straightforward visit a DPS office or use the online portal and select the option to become an organ donor. The process is identical to removing it, just in the opposite direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will hospitals know I removed my donor status if I am in an accident?

Yes. Hospitals check the state organ donor registry, not the symbol on your physical card. Once your status is removed from the DPS system, medical professionals will see that you are not registered as a donor, regardless of what your card shows.

Do I have to pay to remove organ donor status?

No. Removing donor status is free whether you do it in person, by mail, or online. You only pay if you want a replacement card with the updated information printed on it.

How long does it take to remove donor status by mail?

Processing typically takes two to three weeks from the time the DPS receives your form. Mail delivery adds time on both ends, so plan for four weeks total from when you mail the form to when your updated card arrives.

Can I remove donor status without getting a new card?

Yes. Your status in the state system will change when ready (or within one business day if you use the online method), even though your physical card still shows the donor symbol. You can keep using your current card without any issues.

What if I lose my license before I can remove donor status?

Report the lost license to the DPS right away. When you request a replacement, you can tell the staff member you want to remove organ donor status at the same time. They will issue a new card without the donor designation.