Frequently asked questions about your choice in the Donor Register
In the Donor Register, you indicate what happens to your organs and tissues after your death. Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about your choice.
What are the choices in the Donor Register?
When filling in your choice in the Donor Register, you can choose from four options:
- Yes, I want to be a donor.
You then want to donate organs and tissues after your death. - No, I do not want to be a donor.
You will not donate organs and tissues after your death. - My partner or family decides.
Upon your death, your partner or family may make the choice. - A specific person decides for me.
You want someone else to choose for you after your death. Discuss this with the person who will choose for you. This person can also live abroad.
You can read more about the choices in the Donor Register here.
Do I have to make a choice?
No, but even if you do not fill in your own choice, you are still registered in the Donor Register. You will then be listed with 'no objection to donation'. This means that your organs and tissues can go to a patient after your death. You can always change your choice at donorregister.nl.
Can I change my choice in the Donor Register?
Yes, you can always change your choice in the Donor Register. You can do this 24 hours a day, and as often as you like. You can change your choice at donorregister.nl.
Can I specify myself what I do and do not want to donate?
Yes. When submitting your choice in the Donor Register, you can choose which organs and tissues you do or do not want to donate. Organs you can donate are: pancreas, intestines, heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. You can donate these tissues: blood vessels, bone tissue, heart valves, cartilage, tendons, skin, and eyes.
Can my family or partner change my choice in the Donor Register?
If you have filled in 'yes' or 'no' in the Donor Register, your family cannot simply change this. Your choice counts.
Is someone registered as 'no objection' and does the family or loved ones believe this is not the wish of the deceased? If they can provide good arguments for this, that person will not become a donor.
How soon after your 18th birthday do you have to fill in a choice in the Donor Register?
When you turn 18, you will receive a letter from the minister. In that letter, the minister asks if you want to fill in a choice in the Donor Register.
Do you not fill anything in after the first letter? Then you will receive a second letter as a reminder. If you still do not fill in a choice after that, you will automatically be registered in the Donor Register with 'no objection to donation'. This means your organs and tissues can go to a patient after your death. You will receive a confirmation letter about this.
You can always change your choice. Even if you are already registered with 'no objection'.
Are children also in the Donor Register?
Everyone aged 18 and over in the Netherlands is automatically registered in the Donor Register. You will receive a letter about this when you turn 18.
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to choose. In the event of death, the doctor asks the parents or guardian to make a choice. Do the parents disagree? Then the donation will not proceed.
Children aged 12 to 16 are allowed to make their own choice. They can fill in their choice in the Donor Register. If the child chooses 'yes', the parents or guardian can still veto that choice. If the child chooses 'no'? Then the parents or guardian must respect that choice.
Young people aged 16 and older can make their own choice and record it in the Donor Register. If they do not do this, they will not be entered into the register until they turn 18.
How does the Donor Register work for people who lack mental capacity?
In the case of organ and tissue donation, a person must understand what the choice means. They must also understand the consequences of this choice. If someone is unable to do this, that person lacks mental capacity. This means they cannot make the choice themselves.
Someone may have recorded a choice while they still had mental capacity. However, at a later time, that person may lose mental capacity. This happens, for example, with someone who develops dementia. The previously recorded choice remains valid in that case. The hospital physician informs the family which choice is recorded in the register. Was the choice filled out by someone who already lacked mental capacity, or does the name state "no objection"? Then this registration in the Donor Register is not valid. The physician asks the family to make a choice on behalf of the incapacitated person.
If someone lacks mental capacity, a legal representative makes the choice. This can be a parent, guardian, or curator. They decide whether someone can donate organs and tissues after death or not. Would you like to know more about mental incapacity? You can read about it here at Donorregister.nl.
Why do I no longer receive a card for my registration?
In the past, you received a card as proof of your registration in the Donor Register. That changed starting October 1, 2019. You now receive a letter stating your choice. You do not need to keep this letter. In the event of death, physicians check the Donor Register directly to see your choice.
Do you have other questions about the choices in the Donor Register?
You can call or email us with questions about organ and tissue donation or your choice in the Donor Register.
The Donor Information Line is available on workdays from 08:30 to 19:00.