You can remove your organ donor status through the Texas Department of Public Safety, either online, by mail, or in person at a driver's license office

Texas lets you change your organ donor choice at any time, and the process is straightforward. You do not need a reason, and removal takes effect when ready once the department processes your request. The fastest method is online through the Texas DPS website if you have your driver's license number and date of birth. If you prefer not to go online, you can visit a driver's license office in person or mail a written request to the state.

The key difference from your initial choice is that removal does not require a new license photo or a new license card — it updates your record in the state system. Your physical license will still show the donor symbol until you renew it for another reason, but the state's records will reflect your current choice when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • The Texas DPS online portal at dps.texas.gov lets you remove your donor status using your license number and date of birth, with no fee.
  • You can also visit any Texas driver's license office in person and request the change on the spot, or mail a signed letter to the DPS stating your name, license number, and request to remove donor status.
  • Removal takes effect in the state system right away, even though your physical card may still show the donor symbol until your next renewal.
  • You do not need to provide a reason, and there is no waiting period or approval process — the change is your choice alone.

Removing your status online through the Texas DPS website

The Texas Department of Public Safety operates an online portal where you can update your donor choice without leaving home. Go to dps.texas.gov, find the section for driver's license services, and look for the option to update your organ donor status. You will need your Texas driver's license number and your date of birth to log in.

Once you are in the system, select the option to remove or decline organ donation. The site will ask you to confirm your choice. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation on screen and usually by email. The change is recorded in the state's database when ready, which means hospitals and transplant centers will see your updated status if they look up your record.

This method works 24 hours a day and costs nothing. The only limitation is that you must have a valid Texas driver's license — if your license is expired or suspended, you may need to use another method.

Visiting a driver's license office in person

Any Texas driver's license office can process your request to remove donor status while you wait. Bring your current driver's license and be prepared to tell the staff member that you want to remove your organ donor designation. The staff will update your record on the spot, and you will receive a written confirmation before you leave.

This method is useful if you are uncomfortable using the online system or if you want to speak to someone directly. There is no fee, and the change takes effect when ready in the state system. Your physical license card will not change until you renew it for another reason, but the state's records will show your new choice right away.

Wait times at driver's license offices vary by location and time of day. Visiting early in the morning or on a weekday typically means shorter lines. You do not need an appointment for this change — it is a straightforward update that takes a few minutes.

Mailing a written request to the Texas DPS

If you prefer to handle this by mail, you can send a signed letter to the Texas Department of Public Safety requesting removal of your organ donor status. Your letter should include your full name, your driver's license number, your date of birth, and a clear statement that you want to remove your organ donor designation.

Send your letter to the address listed on the Texas DPS website for driver's license correspondence. Include a copy of your driver's license or another form of identification if possible. Mail delivery typically takes one to two weeks, and the DPS usually processes requests within a few days of receiving them.

This method leaves a paper trail, which some people prefer. You will not receive a phone call or email confirmation, so consider sending your letter via certified mail if you want proof of delivery. Once the DPS processes your request, your record will be updated in the state system.

What happens to your physical license card

Your driver's license card itself will still display the organ donor symbol or notation until you renew your license for another reason — such as when your license expires, when you change your address, or when you renew for a name change. The symbol on the card does not control your status; the state's database does.

Hospitals and transplant centers check the state's electronic records, not the physical card. Once your removal is processed, those records will show that you are not a donor, regardless of what your card says. If this concerns you, you can request a new license card by renewing early, though this is not necessary for your wishes to be honored.

Why you might want to remove your donor status

People remove their donor status for many reasons: religious or personal beliefs, family concerns, distrust of the medical system, or straightforward a change of mind. Texas law does not require you to explain your choice, and no one can override your decision once it is recorded in the state system.

If you have family members who might object to your original choice, removing your status ensures there is no conflict later. Your decision is final and binding, and it takes effect as soon as the state processes it.

What to do if you change your mind again

If you decide later that you want to become a donor again, you can reverse this decision using the same three methods: online through the DPS portal, in person at a driver's license office, or by mail. There is no limit to how many times you can change your status, and each change takes effect when ready in the state system.

Some people also register with the Texas Organ Donor Registry, a separate database maintained by the Donate Life Texas program. If you registered there, you may want to remove yourself from that registry as well, though it is not required. You can check the registry and make changes through the Donate Life Texas website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing my donor status affect my driver's license renewal?

No. Removing your donor status does not change your license renewal date or process. Your license will renew on its normal schedule, and you can choose your donor status again at that time if you wish.

Can my family override my decision to remove donor status?

No. Once your removal is recorded in the Texas state system, your family cannot override it. Your wishes are legally binding, and hospitals must honor your choice.

Do I need to notify my doctor or anyone else?

You do not have to, but you may want to tell your family members so they know your wishes. Your doctor does not need to be notified, as they will not have access to your donor status unless you are in a situation where organ donation is being considered.

How long does it take for the change to show up in the system?

Online and in-person changes take effect when ready. Mail requests usually process within a few days of arrival at the DPS office, though delivery time adds one to two weeks to the total.

What if I lose my driver's license after removing my donor status?

Your donor status removal stays in the state system regardless of your physical card. When you get a replacement license, you can choose whether to be a donor again at that time.