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Take control of this critical decision for yourself and your family
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For whatever reason, you might change your mind about donating your organs. While it’s easy to become an organ donor, finding out how to remove your name from the organ donor registry isn’t so simple. Fortunately for your need, there are a variety of ways to go about it, from writing an advance directive for final care, to showing up in person at your local DMV.
How to Take off Organ Donor on Your License
Visit your DMV website, head to your DMV in person, or ask for a replacement ID. Alternatively, change your organ donor status through the Donate Life website and get your license updated after the fact. You can also make your organ donation wishes known through an advance directive.
Steps
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Conduct an online search. The simplest way to remove your name from the organ donor registry is to do so through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. In many states, you can complete at least a portion of this process online.
- Do an internet search containing the words "remove my name from organ donor registry" along with the name of your state.
- In many states, you will be able to submit a form online that removes you from the registry. You'll need to know basic information about yourself, such as name, address, and driver’s license or ID number. You'll simply fill the form out and submit it. [1] X Trustworthy Source State of Oregon Official website for the State of Oregon Go to source
- In other states, you'll have to print out a form, fill it out, and mail or fax it to the DMV. [2] X Research source
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Go to the DMV in person. If you prefer, visit your local DMV in person. Depending on what state you live in, you might have to fill out a special form to remove your name, while in other states, you'll just request an updated driver's license or ID card. [3] X Trustworthy Source State of Oregon Official website for the State of Oregon Go to sourceAdvertisement
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Get a replacement ID. Regardless of whether you remove your name from the registry through an online form or have to send a form in, you need to get an updated ID so that your wishes are clear in the event of an emergency. [4] X Research source
- Depending on your state's policy, you may have to pay for a replacement.
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Let your family know about your wishes. While your family can't override your wishes not to be an organ donor, you should let them know about your decision anyway. That way, in case you die without identification, there will be no confusion about what you want done with your organs.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Removing your Name from the Registry by Going to a Donate Life Website
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Go to the Donate Life website. Donate Life is a nonprofit organization that maintains organ donation registration information for many states across the country. As a matter of fact, many DMV websites will actually redirect you to a Donate Life site in order for an individual to modify or change registration information. [5] X Research source
- If you have the option (and you probably will), go to your state's Donate Life site rather than the national site, https://www.registerme.org . The state sites are usually more accurate, up to date, and functional.
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Go to the registration section. There will be section on the webpage that will say "update my donor profile," or "edit registration." Click this link. [6] X Research source
- After you follow the link, there will be a space for you to enter your name, date of birth, zip code, and driver's license number. Once you enter that information, it takes you to a page where you'll see all your donor information. There you can remove your name from the registry completely or prohibit certain organs from being donated.
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Get a new driver's license or ID. Although there's a low probability it would be an issue, in an emergency situation, you don't want to take any chances you'd be mistaken for an organ donor. So even if you've updated your information with the registry itself, you need to update your ID.
- Depending on your state's policy, you may have to pay for a replacement ID card.
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Let your family know about your wishes. Just to be clear, your family can't override your wishes not to be an organ donor. Nonetheless, you should let them know about your decision. That way, in case you die without identification, there will be no confusion about what you want done with your organs.
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Go to the US Living Will Registry's website. Although there are a number of ways to craft an advance directive or living will, using the services of the US Living Will Registry is by far the simplest. It is also cheaper than using the services of an attorney. [7] X Research source
- Advance directive and living wills are legal documents that make a formal declaration about your wishes for end of life care (should you be unconscious), including life support and organ donation.
- The US Living Will Registry keeps a record of your advance directive or living will and puts it in a national database that health care providers across the country access.
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Find a form for your state. The Living Will Registry maintains a list of advance directive forms for all fifty US states. Pick the form for your state, fill it out according to your wishes, and have it notarized. [8] X Research source
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Pay for a registry. Although the advance directive you filled out is perfectly valid all by itself, it will be a much more effective document if it is uploaded to the Living Will Registry's database, because health care providers across the country will access it in the event of your death or incapacity.
- The cost to purchase a spot in the registry is $49.95. [9] X Research source It gives you a place in the registry for five years, meaning that it's just a little more than $10 per year.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I remove all of my records from the donor registration?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.You'll want to follow the above steps for your specific state. You can do an online search for your state's DMV or you can visit this site: https://www.registerme.org. If you're unable to log into either website, you can always call the organizations to have them walk you through the removal process.
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QuestionI live in Oregon. How do I cancel my organ donation registration?Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.Whether you registered online or through your state agency, there’s always an option to remove yourself from the organ donor registry. You’ll need to make the request for removal through the Oregon DMV or through https://www.registerme.org.
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References
- ↑ https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/driverid/donor.aspx
- ↑ https://health.mo.gov/living/organdonor/pdf/removal_form.pdf
- ↑ https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/driverid/donor.aspx
- ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/change-driver-license?language=en_US
- ↑ https://www.donatelife.net/mission-vision/
- ↑ https://donatelife.net/faqs/donor-registration/
- ↑ https://www.usacpr.com/
- ↑ https://www.usacpr.com/individuals-families/advance-directive-forms/
- ↑ https://liv-will1.uslivingwillregistry.com/_payment/Registration.asp?type=R&disc=
About This Article
Article Summary
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The simplest way to remove your name from the organ donation registry is to fill out the necessary forms found on the website of your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. In most states, all you need to do is give your name, address, and drivers license number and either submit the form online or through the mail. If you’d rather do it in person, go to your local DMV and request the proper forms to have your name removed. Whether you do it in person or online, request to get a replacement ID so your wishes are clear in the event of an emergency. For more help from our co-author, including how to make your wishes known in an advance directive, scroll down.
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Reader Success Stories
- "I learned that I can choose what parts I want to be donated and what parts I do not want to be donated."
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"I learned that I can choose what parts I want to be donated and what parts I do not want to be donated."
"This article has useful information on what to do if you no longer wish to be an organ donor."
"The information was very detailed and easy to comprehend."
"I want remove my name from organ donation. "
"How to cancel being an organ donor."
