Organ Donation in Pennsylvania

Organ Donation in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT) works with the Gift of Life program and the Department of Health to increase awareness of organ and tissue donation in Pennsylvania..

There are no fees to become an organ donor. At no point will you or your family pay for any of the services related to your organ and tissue donation.

Register as an Organ Donor in PA

If you're at least 18 years old, you can register to become a tissue and organ donor in Pennsylvania at any time.

You can register as an organ donor online or in person at your local PA DOT photo center.

Let your family know why you have made the decision to become an organ and tissue donor in Pennsylvania, and which organs or tissues you've decided to donate. Even if you've officially registered as a Pennsylvania organ donor, the hospital still may approach your loved ones for information regarding your wishes. It's better to inform them of your decisions than leave them making such a difficult decision during their time of loss.

Online

As long as you are at least 18 years old, you can register to become an organ donor in Pennsylvania using:

  • ORGANIZE.org, a central database that records your information in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
  • The Online Donor Designation Login Form. You will need to provide:
    • The last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
    • Your Pennsylvania driver's license or ID card number.

In Person

If you have a Pennsylvania identification card or driver's license, you can become an organ and tissue donor at any time.

When you visit the Photo License Center to have your picture taken, you will be asked if you would like to become a tissue and organ donor in Pennsylvania.

As long as your driver's license/identification card is still valid, you can also use the Non-Commercial Driver's License / Identification Card / Learner's Permit Application To Renew/Replace/Change/Correct (Form DL-80) to add yourself to Pennsylvania's tissue and organ donor registry.

NOTE: If you're under 18 years old, you can still become an organ and tissue donor in Pennsylvania. However, as a minor, you are required to have the written consent of your parents or legal guardians on your identification card or driver's license application.

How You Can Help With Organ Donation

There are various ways to support organ donation in addition to registering as an organ donor, such as:

  • Becoming a volunteer: Volunteer positions are available at a variety of tissue and organ donation organizations through the Gift of Life organization.
  • Supporting Donors are Heroes: As a volunteer with Donors are Heroes, you will help raise awareness and dispel myths related to tissue and organ donation in Pennsylvania. To learn more, contact Karen Keener at (267) 421-7485 or by email.
  • Joining Team Philadelphia: Become a member of Team Philadelphia to show your support for the athletes, living donors and donor families as they compete in the Transplant Games of America.
  • Giving a monetary donation to The Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund. Making a financial gift gives you the opportunity to become a member of The Gift of Life Family Circle.
  • Telling your friends and family about organ donation!

Additional Organ Donor Information

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Health – (877) PA-HEALTH.
  • The Gift of Life Donor Program – (215) 557-8090, eastern half of Pennsylvania.
  • Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) – (800) DONORS-7, western half of Pennsylvania.

Forms

DL-80
Non-Commercial Drivers License/ID/Learners Permit Application to Renew/Replace/Change/Correct
Application to change OR replace your Pennsylvania driver's license.
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