Organ Donation in New Jersey

Organ Donation in New Jersey

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) administers the organ donation registrations program.

There are 3,527 people in New Jersey waiting for an organ or tissue transplant. Already, 2.3 million residents of New Jersey have donated organs to help save lives.

As a registered organ donor, you're giving thousands of people hope that they will someday receive the life-saving organ transplant they need.

Register as an Organ Donor in New Jersey

In order to donate an organ, you must be 14 years old or older.

You can register as an organ donor online or in person at your local NJ MVC office.

You will need your:

  • User ID number.
  • NJ driver's license number.
  • Social Security number.

Once you decide to become a donor, you should inform your family of your decision. In the event of your death, the hospital will still have questions about your organ donation wishes, even if you are a registered donor. Make sure they know your intentions - including which organs and tissues you wish to donate - so as to prevent them from making difficult decisions themselves during their time of grief.

NOTE: There are no fees to the organ donor or the family associated with organ donation. All fees and recovery costs are paid for by the New Jersey Sharing Network.

Online

Online donor registration is now available in New Jersey. You can:

  • Sign up at the Donate Life NJ website if you live in northern NJ and at the Gift of Life website if you live in southern NJ.
  • Register through ORGANIZE.org to have your information recorded in a central national database.

In Person

You can register your desire to become an organ or tissue donor whenever you apply for or renew your New Jersey driver's license or state ID card. (If you're under 14 years old, you'll need the permission of your parent or guardian.)

You can also complete and sign a donor card, available through:

Change Your NJ Organ Donor Information

You can change your organ donor profile on your NJ driver's license or non-driver ID card by visiting your local New Jersey MVC office. In order to make changes, you will need to present the 6 points of identification and verification of your physical address.

You can also update your information online through ORGANIZE.org.

You can also send in your request by mail by completing a Change of Status form. Once complete, mail it to the following address:

NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
P.O. Box 137
Trenton, NJ 08666

How to Support Organ Donation in NJ

If you would like to help support the effort towards organ donation, there are several ways you can do so:

  • Become a volunteer educator to teach people the benefits of organ and tissue donation. Training is provided so that all volunteers are comfortable in this role. There are regional volunteer groups that you can contact to get started.
  • Make a contribution to support organ donation efforts through the NJ Sharing Network. If your gift is in tribute to someone, include the name of the recipient and the name and address of anyone who should be notified of the gift.
  • Participate in the NJ Sharing Network's Annual Walk & USATF Certified Race which raises funds for organ donation.

How Organ Donation Works

Once you are registered as an organ donor and listed on the organ donor registry, your part is complete.

The NJ Sharing Network works in conjunction with hospitals to distribute organs to patients in need.

If a possibility of an organ match is noted, the following steps are taken:

  • Referral: Patients who meet the requirements of organ donation will be referred to the NJ Sharing Network for the next available organ.
  • Evaluation: Donation specialists evaluate the patient's medical history and status to decide if an organ or tissue donation can take place.
  • Approach: Families who have lost a loved one through death will be approached for organ donation by the staff of the NJ Sharing Network and hospital. If the wish to donate organs has been made clear through registration or another method, NJ Sharing Network staff will assist the family through the process.
  • Management: Organ and tissue donations are managed to allow for maximum use of donated organs. When organs are available to donate, recipients are found as soon as possible and prepared to receive the donation.
  • Recovery of organs: The gift of organ donation is greatly appreciated. Organs and tissues are recovered in a hospital under sterile conditions.

For more information, you can visit our page about How Organ Donation Works.

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