Organ Donation Authorization Directive

Organ Donation Authorization Directive: a practical guide

An Organ Donation Authorization Directive records a person's wishes about donating organs or tissue after death and may name someone to communicate those wishes. It can set out what the person agrees to donate and any limits they want to state.

What it's for

People use this document to put their donation choice in writing while they can make and explain that choice. It can help family members and others understand the person's wishes during a difficult time, when decisions may need to be discussed quickly.

A directive may describe whether the person wants to donate organs, tissue, or both, and whether any limits or preferences apply. Local donation systems may use a registry, card, or other process, so check whether this document should be used alongside those steps. If the main goal is to appoint someone to make a range of medical decisions during life, a healthcare decision document may fit better.

Who uses it

• A person who wants to record a choice about donation after death.
• Someone who wants to explain the choice to family members before a health crisis.
• A person who wants to state limits on the organs or tissue they are willing to donate.
• A person who wants to identify someone to communicate their wishes, where local procedures allow.
• A person updating earlier donation instructions after a change of mind.

Terms to decide on

Donation choice

State clearly whether the person agrees to donation, declines it, or wants to allow only certain types. Avoid wording that could be read as both permission and refusal.

Organs and tissue covered

Name the organs or tissue included if the choice is limited, or state that the choice applies broadly if that is what the person intends. Use clear everyday terms and check whether the local donation process uses specific categories.

Purpose of donation

Say whether the person is expressing a preference about donation for transplantation, research, education, or another purpose, if relevant. Do not assume that permission for one purpose automatically covers another.

Person to communicate the wishes

If naming someone, give their full name and reliable contact details, and explain what you want them to do. Make clear whether they are meant to communicate an existing choice or make a choice themselves, and check whether local procedures recognize that role.

Limits or conditions

Write any restriction in direct terms, such as which organs or purposes are excluded. Avoid vague language such as “only if appropriate” unless you explain who should decide what that means.

Changes and withdrawal

State how you want later changes or withdrawal of the directive to be handled, if the applicable process permits. Keep the current version easy to identify and make sure the people who were given an earlier version receive the update.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a signed directive automatically updates a local donor registry or other record. Check whether a separate registration or notification step is needed.
• Using broad words like “donate everything” without checking what purposes or materials the person means to include.
• Naming someone without telling them about the document or giving them a way to contact the person who prepared it.
• Confusing permission to donate after death with instructions about medical treatment while the person is alive.
• Leaving older or conflicting instructions in circulation, which can make it hard for others to know which choice is current.
• Treating a downloaded form as a substitute for required local steps. Rules for wording, witnesses, notarization, registration, and family involvement differ between countries and regions.

Before you sign

• Confirm that the document states your current choice in direct, consistent terms.
• Check the local donation process and whether you need to register or notify anyone separately.
• Ask whether local rules require particular wording, witnesses, notarization, registration, or other steps.
• Review every stated limit and purpose to make sure it reflects what you intend.
• Tell the person named in the document and close family members where a copy can be found.
• Remove or clearly replace earlier instructions that conflict with this one.
• Ask a qualified lawyer for help if the decision or family situation is complex or a lot is at stake.