How to Become an Organ and Tissue Donor

You can indicate your gift on your driver license. Complete the donor form on the back of your driver license. Get two witnesses to sign the form.

Note: If you sign the back of your driver license, no record is kept of your wish to become an organ or tissue donor.

To enroll in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry:

• mark the box that indicates "Organ Donor" on the application form for the renewal of your driver license or your non-driver photo ID card (MV-2), or
• mark the box that indicates "Organ Donor" on the application form for your new driver license or non-driver photo ID card (MV-44), or
• contact one of the organ procurement organizations listed on this page.

The DMV will send your information to the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH), which keeps the records of the Registry.

You are not required to apply for a driver license or non-driver photo ID card to become an organ or tissue donor. To become an organ or tissue donor, contact the NYSDOH or an organ procurement organization that is listed on this page.

Important Information About Your Enrollment in the Donor Registry:

• Your decision to become a donor will not affect your medical treatment.
• The organs and tissues you donate will go to patients in the most serious condition.
• The family of the donor will pay no fees.
• Inform your family about your enrollment in the Registry. Make sure that your family understands what to do if you die.
• You can remove your name from the Registry at any time.
• After you enroll, the NYSDOH will send you a confirmation letter to provide you with additional information.

In addition, when you apply for a driver license original, duplicate, amendment or renewal, you can make a voluntary $1 contribution to the "Life - Pass It On" Trust Fund. Contributions to the Fund are used for organ donation and transplant research and education projects that promote organ and tissue donations.

To get more information, call one of these organ procurement and tissue transplant organizations:

Center for Donation and Transplant (Albany and Eastern NYS)	(800) 256-7811
Upstate NY Transplant Services (Buffalo)	(800) 227-4771
New York Organ Donor Network (New York City Metropolitan Area)	(800) 443-8469
Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network (Rochester - Syracuse)	(800) 810-5494
NYS Department of Health	(877) 752-3175