How to Register as an Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donor via organdonor.gov

You can register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor by starting at organdonor.gov, the U.S. government's information site on donation. The site explains how donation works and points you to registration, but the actual sign-up is handled by your state's donor registry or a national registry partner. The basic steps are: confirm your state's registry, complete the registration with your name and identifying details, then tell your family about your decision.

What organdonor.gov does — and doesn't do

organdonor.gov is an information resource from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It provides:

• Explanations of what organ, eye, and tissue donation involves
• Frequently asked questions and answers
• Stories from recipients and donor families
• Links and guidance on how to register as a donor

The site itself is not the registry where your consent is stored. Registration happens through your state's donor registry (often run by a donor network or motor vehicle agency) or a national registry such as Donate Life America's registry. organdonor.gov directs you to those entry points.

Step-by-step registration

1. Confirm your state's registry

Donor registration in the U.S. is state-based. Use organdonor.gov's registration information to find the registry that serves your state. If you have a driver's license or state ID, your state's motor vehicle agency is often the fastest route, since many states let you register when you get or renew a license.

2. Complete the registration form

Expect to provide basic personal information, typically:

Some registries also ask you to indicate which organs and tissues you wish to donate, though many treat registration as consent for all viable organs and tissues. Follow the prompts on your state's form.

3. Verify your registration

After submitting, look for a confirmation — a confirmation screen, email, or mailed card depending on the registry. Keep that confirmation. Some registries let you check or update your status online later.

4. Tell your family

This step matters as much as the form. Even with a registry record, donation organizations encourage donors to discuss their decision with family, because families are typically asked about the donor's wishes at the time of death. A clear conversation in advance reduces confusion and helps your family honor your choice.

Common sticking points

• Registering on the wrong site. Signing up on a general information page or a third-party site that isn't your state registry may not create a valid record. Use the registry link for your state.
• Assuming a license checkmark is enough. In many states, saying "yes" at the DMV registers you, but rules vary. If you're unsure, confirm through your state registry.
• Skipping the family conversation. Registration is a legal record of intent, but families are still part of the process. Tell them.
• Forgetting to update. If you move states or change your mind, update your registration with the appropriate registry.

After you register

You don't need to do anything else to remain a donor, but you can revisit your state registry to update your information or change your decision. organdonor.gov also offers FAQs and recipient stories if you want to understand how donation works before or after registering.