Organ Donation in South Dakota

Organ Donation in South Dakota

Organ donation registration in South Dakota is administered by LifeSource. It is a non-profit organization promoting organ and tissue donation in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Wisconsin.

Nationwide, nearly 103,000 people are waiting for organ and tissue donations. Every 8 minutes someone is added to the waiting list.

You can become a donor or receive more information about donation by calling (888) 5-DONATE.

Register as an Organ Donor in SD

You can register to become a South Dakota organ donor online, by mail, or in person at your local SD DMV office.

There is no cost to you or your family to become an organ donor.

Online

You can register online as an organ donor by:

  • Using the Organ Donor Status Update website.
    • You will need to provide your South Dakota driver's license or state ID number and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
  • Utilizing ORGANIZE.org to sign up in South Dakota AND add your info to a nationwide database of donors.

By Mail

You may register by mail anytime by completing the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry Form for South Dakota Driver License/ID Card Holders and mailing it to the address listed on the application.

In Person

When you're at a South Dakota exam station applying for or renewing a driver's license or state identification card, simply check off the donor box on the application form to indicate your intention of becoming a donor.

You'll need to sign the application indicating that you have read the donor information provided.

Update/Change Your SD Organ Donor Status

You can update or change your organ donor profile online at the SD Department of Public Safety (DPS) website.

Organ Donation Facts

Here are some important facts to keep in mind:

  • It doesn't cost you or your family anything to become an organ donor. All costs associated with an organ donation are handled by South Dakota's organ procurement organization.
  • Your funeral won't be altered or delayed, and you can still have an open-casket ceremony.
  • Donors receive the same quality of medical care as non-donors.
  • All major religions in the United States support organ and tissue donation.
  • If you're younger than 18 years old, you are welcome to become a donor, but you'll need to have a parent or legal guardian sign a Parental Consent Form for Organ Donor Designation first.

Be sure to talk with your family about your decision to become an organ donor. Designating yourself as an organ donor on your South Dakota identification card or driver's license will eliminate any confusion at the time of your death.

For more information, please visit our Organ Donation Myths page.

How You Can Help With Organ Donation

Besides signing up as an organ donor, you can also:

  • Make monetary donations to help LifeSource pay costs associated with organ transplant and facilitate registration in the state of South Dakota.
  • Participate in fundraising and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. You can find out more at the Donate Life Midwest website .
  • Ambassadors for Donate Life Midwest help share organ donation statistics and facts and help clear up misconceptions about organ donation. Ambassadors:
    • Appear at community events such as sporting events, parades, and health fairs.
    • Conduct driver's license office visits.
    • Perform media interviews and speak at area schools.
  • Become a volunteer for administrative assistance at the LifeSource office in St. Paul, MN.
  • Become a living donor. Living donors can offer a kidney transplant, since only one organ is needed. You can also donate portions of an organ for liver transplant and lung transplant.
  • Other ways to give are available to fit your time and budget.

Donating Your Organ in South Dakota

At the time of death, hospital personnel will contact LifeSource to find out your organ donation registration status. When you register to be an organ donor, tell your family about your wishes and educate them about organ donation facts. If LifeSource cannot find documentation of your donor status at the time of your death, they will ask your family to make a decision on your behalf.

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