Register as a Donor

Organ, eye, and tissue donation is a generous, selfless gift. Choosing to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor is a legal decision, like a will or advanced directive.

The desire to become an organ donor is a decision an individual can formally document prior to their death through their driver’s license, the online registry, a living will or advanced directive, the iPhone health app (through Donate Life), or another official registry.

Like a living will, the decision is legally binding (for individuals over 18) and leaves end-of-life instructions for your loved ones to follow. Many families find these instructions to be a gift: they know exactly what their loved one wanted. That can bring comfort to a family after the death of a loved one.

As an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) in North Carolina, HonorBridge facilitates the organ donation and tissue recovery process by coordinating with hospitals and ensuring that the decisions of registered donors are honored.

Here are 10 common questions we receive about the decision to donate:

1. What does “Donor Registration” mean?

Donor registration, also referred to as Donor Designation or First-Person Authorization, means that an individual has made the personal decision to donate organs, eyes/corneas, and tissues after death and has documented that decision by registering to be an organ donor.

2. If my family disagrees with my decision, can they change it? 

No. When you register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, you are making a legal decision (for individuals over 18) that will be honored after your death. The legally binding nature of donation is controlled by North Carolina’s Uniform Anatomical Gift Act and your decision is seen as a gift, which cannot be revoked by others. Therefore, open communication with your family is crucial to ensure their awareness and readiness to honor your choice. Registering as an organ donor, and sharing that decision with your family, removes the burden for your family to make the decision for you after you die.

3. What if I don’t document my decision to become an organ donor?

If you don’t document your donation decision prior to your death or communicate a decision during a terminal illness, and you meet initial criteria for donation, your loved ones will have the opportunity to make that decision on your behalf. This is another reason why it is vitally important to talk to your family about your donation decision —whether it is a yes or a no.

4. Organ donation requires being on a ventilator; what if my loved one said they do not want to be on a ventilator?

To become an organ donor, an individual must be in a hospital and already on a ventilator/life support. This is important to ensure the organs remain viable for transplant. The donation process typically takes between one and two days, so your loved one would remain on that ventilator for only a short time. 

If your loved one expressed that they did not want to remain on a ventilator long-term, it’s only necessary for a short time to fulfill their donation decision.

5. What is the legal age to donate organs?

Anyone of any age can donate organs.  In North Carolina, minors who are authorized under State law to apply for a driver’s license because they are at least 16 years of age may make an anatomical gift.  Otherwise, the decision may be made by the minor’s parent or guardian. 

If you’re at least 18 at the time of death, your decision to donate cannot be revoked by your family and your decision will be honored after your death. However, if a minor who has made an anatomical gift dies before reaching 18, the minor’s parent may revoke the donation.

6. How can I register to be a donor?

There are three easy ways you can register in the state of North Carolina. Choose the way that’s best for you!

1. Register Online
2. Registration through the DMV when obtaining your license or state identification card
3. Register in the health app on your iPhone (in conjunction with Donate Life America) 

7. How can I tell if someone is a registered donor?

If an individual documents the decision through an official registry that an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO), like HonorBridge, can reference, the registry is only referenced if an individual meets initial donation criteria. HonorBridge can then share that documentation with the family if donation is possible.

If an individual registered through the DMV, a red heart on the driver’s license indicates registration.

An individual can also make a donation through a will, a signed donor card, or even a communication during a terminal illness.

It’s important to have a conversation with your loved ones about these donation decisions now, before it’s urgent, so you can support each other’s decisions. 

8. Does donor registration affect patient care?

An individual’s donation registration is separate from and has no influence on patient care. As stated above, donation decisions are referenced by OPOs like HonorBridge, not by hospitals.

9. If I relocate, will my registration status change?

If you move within North Carolina, your registration status remains the same. However, if you relocate to another state, you will need to reregister unless you made your decision through Donate Life America, which manages the National Donate Life Registry. Registering your decision to be an organ donor in the National Donate Life Registry ensures your donor registration travels with you, no matter where you live or move across the country.

If you are relocating to North Carolina, your authorization through a donor card, identification car, the donor registry, or driver’s license will remain valid so long as it was originally made in accordance with the laws of the state where it was executed.  However, if your previous authorization was through your state’s DMV, you will need to re-authorize when you apply for a North Carolina driver’s license.

10. What if I change my mind about donation?

An individual who has chosen to be a donor has the option to revoke that authorization at any time before death, using the same methods employed for making the initial authorization. Authorization can even be revoked verbally at the last moment by informing two witnesses, with one being impartial.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user, or browser.

More than 75 lives can be saved and healed by one organ, eye, and tissue donor.

Organs that can be donated are the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and small intestines. Organs are used to save lives by replacing diseased organs with healthy ones. Tissues that can be donated include skin, bone, corneas, heart valves, and veins.

No. Doctors evaluate potential donors on an individual basis, regardless of age.

No. All costs associated with donation are paid by the organ procurement organization. Your family is only responsible for hospital charges before the death declaration and for funeral expenses.