You can remove your organ donor status through the DMV, by mail, or online

California lets you remove your organ donor designation at any time, regardless of how you originally registered. You do not need a reason, and the change takes effect when ready once the DMV processes it. The fastest method is through the DMV website if you have a Real ID or standard driver's license; by mail takes about two weeks; and in person at a DMV office takes a few minutes.

Your organ donor status appears on the front of your license as a small heart symbol and the word "DONOR." Removing it means the state will no longer list you as a registered donor, though you should also contact the California Organ Donor Registry directly if you want to be completely certain your name is removed from their records.

Key Takeaways

  • You can remove your donor status online through the DMV website, by mail with a signed form, or in person at any DMV office.
  • The online method is fastest and requires your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid email address.
  • Removing the designation from your license does not automatically remove you from the California Organ Donor Registry, so contact them separately if you want complete removal.
  • Changes made online or by mail take effect once processed; in-person changes are when ready.

Remove your donor status online through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Organ Donor" under the "Licenses and IDs" section. You will need your California driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid email address. The DMV will send you a confirmation email once your request is submitted.

This method works only if your license is not expired. If your license has expired, you will need to renew it first before you can make changes online. The DMV typically processes online requests within five to ten business days, and you will receive another email confirming the change has been made.

Mail a signed form to the DMV

read the Statement Regarding Organ and Tissue Donation form (form DL 43) from dmv.ca.gov. Print it, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your driver's license (front and back) to speed up processing.

Write "I do not wish to be an organ and tissue donor" or similar language clearly on the form. Mail it to the DMV office address shown on the form. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. You will not receive a confirmation email with this method, but your next license renewal will reflect the change.

Visit a DMV office in person

Bring your current California driver's license to any DMV office. Tell the staff member you want to remove your organ donor designation. They will process the change on the spot, and your updated license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.

You do not need an appointment for this change at most offices, though wait times vary by location. If you want to avoid a long wait, visit early in the morning on a weekday. The staff member can tell you when ready whether the change has been recorded in the system.

Contact the California Organ Donor Registry separately

Removing the donor symbol from your license does not automatically remove your name from the California Organ Donor Registry, which is a separate database. To may support you are completely removed, call the registry at 1-800-300-8844 or visit donatelifeCA.org.

Have your driver's license number ready when you call. The registry staff can remove you over the phone, and the change takes effect when ready. This step is important if you want hospitals and transplant centers to have no record of your donor status.

What happens after you remove your donor status

Once the DMV processes your request, your new license will no longer show the heart symbol or the word "DONOR." If you removed the status online or by mail, you will receive a new license in the mail. If you removed it in person, the updated license will arrive within one to two weeks.

Until your new license arrives, your old license still shows the donor designation, but the DMV's internal records will reflect your change. If you are asked about your donor status before the new license arrives, you can reference your confirmation email (if you used the online method) or tell the person that you have requested removal from the DMV.

If you change your mind and want to become a donor again

You can re-register as an organ donor at any time through the same methods: online at dmv.ca.gov, by mail with form DL 43, or in person at a DMV office. You can also register directly through the California Organ Donor Registry at donatelifeCA.org or by calling 1-800-300-8844.

If you register through the registry rather than the DMV, the heart symbol will not appear on your license unless you also update your license status with the DMV. Many people register through both to may support their wishes are recorded in both systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing my donor status from my license remove me from the registry?

No. The DMV license and the California Organ Donor Registry are separate systems. You must contact the registry directly at 1-800-300-8844 or donatelifeCA.org to remove yourself from their records. Removing it from your license alone does not delete your registry entry.

How long does it take to remove my donor status?

Online requests take five to ten business days. Mail takes two to three weeks. In-person changes are recorded when ready, though your new license arrives in one to two weeks. Until the new license arrives, your old license still shows the donor symbol, but the DMV's records reflect the change.

Can I remove my donor status if my license is expired?

You cannot use the online method if your license is expired. You can still remove your status by mail or in person. If you choose to renew your license at the same time, you can request removal during the renewal process.

What if I want to remove my status but keep my current license?

You can remove your donor status without renewing your license by using the mail method or visiting a DMV office. However, the DMV will mail you a new license reflecting the change. If you want to avoid receiving a new license, contact the California Organ Donor Registry directly instead of going through the DMV.

Do hospitals know my donor status if I remove it from my license?

Hospitals check the California Organ Donor Registry at the time of death, not your license. If you remove yourself from the registry, hospitals will have no record of your donor status. If you only remove it from your license but stay in the registry, hospitals will still see you as a registered donor.