Registry FAQs

Question: What is Donate Life America’s Donate Life Registry?

Answer: The national Donate Life Registry is a computer database of individuals who have made the decision to be a donor. It allows organ and tissue donation professionals across the nation to determine at the time of death if you are registered to be a donor so that your wish to donate could be fulfilled.

Question: Is registering through the Donate Life Registry similar to signing up to be a donor on my driver’s license?

Answer: Yes. Registering with Donate Life is simply one more way to make your donation wishes known. Many donors may even wish to register through both Donate Life and their state motor vehicle office. However, if you register in both places and change your mind about donation later, be sure to remove yourself from both registries as well.

Question: If I change my mind, can I remove myself from the registry?

Answer: If you register online through Donate Life America, you can change your registration status at any time at www.RegisterMe.org and click on the “Access your registration” link.  If you registered as a donor through your state’s driver’s license process, you must remove yourself through your state’s motor vehicle department.

Question: Can I make specific decisions about what organs and tissues I wish to donate?

Answer: Yes. After you register and create a profile, you will be able to limit your gift if you wish and list the organs or tissues you do not wish to donate.

Question: Will my decision to donate be kept private?

Answer: Identifying information in the donor registry is only accessible to designated donation professionals. The information on the donor registry cannot be shared with or sold to companies or government agencies. Should you die in a manner suitable for donation, your closest next-of-kin will be informed of your donation decision and about the donation process to follow.

Question: Will I receive a donor card?

Answer: No. Federal regulations require all hospital deaths to be reported to the local organ procurement organization. This makes it possible for the computerized Donate Life Registry to be checked each and every time a death is referred. No donor card is necessary. We recommend that everyone who registers as a donor talk to their family about their decision to donate.