I'm turning 18

If you have turned 18, you can make important choices yourself. One of these is the choice whether or not you want to donate your organs and tissues after your passing. This is something you might prefer not to think about right now. Because when you're 18, death is still so far away. Nevertheless, it is important to record your own choice in the Donor Register.

Why make a choice?

By recording a choice your parents and the people who are important to you will know how you think about donation. Discuss this with them as well. This makes the discussion with the physician at the hospital easier for your family.

Letter from the Donor Register

Everyone in the Netherlands who has turned 18 and has not recorded a choice yet will receive a letter. In this letter we ask you to record a choice.

If you do not record a choice after the first letter, you will receive a second letter so you don’t forget to make a choice.
If you do not record a choice again, 'No objection to organ donation' will appear next to your name. You will receive another letter about this.

Which choices do I have?

You have four choices. You can only choose one. Whatever choice you record, you can always change your choice.

Yes, I want to become a donor
No, I don't want to become a donor
My partner or family decides
I appoint someone who decides

If you do not record a choice, you will become a donor

If you do not record a choice yourself, 'no objection to organ donation' will automatically be stated by your name. This means that your organs and tissues could go to a patient after your passing. So there is a possibility you may become an organ donor.

When you have passed away, the physician in the hospital will discuss the possibility of donating organs and tissues with your family. The physician shall tell your relatives that 'no objection to organ donation' is stated by your name in the register. If your family is absolutely certain and they can explain to the physician that you really did not want to become an organ donor, then you will not become a donor. Therefore it is important that your partner and family know what your desired choice was and that you record this choice in the Donor register. You can always change your choice.