What if I am a registered donor, but my family is opposed?

If you are 18 or older enrolled in the Registry, your decision to donate must be honored if medically possible.

  • State and federal laws support your rights to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.
  • If you are in the Registry, your family will be told of your decision, and given information about the process, but their permission is not needed for the donation to proceed.
  • Most families of registered donors are happy to know their loved one made this decision. They follow their wishes.
  • If you are 16 or 17 at the time of your death, your parents or legal guardians can revoke your decision to be a donor. The consent to donate for people enrolled in the Registry that are 18 years of age or older can only be revoked by the enrollee themselves.