Donor-conceived people: information about your donor
The law gives you rights to information about the egg or sperm donor who is your genetic parent.
Information about your donor: non-identifying information
You can apply to the HFEA for non-identifying information about your donor once you reach the age of 16 (although your parents might be able to request information on your behalf before then). The information available includes your donor's physical appearance, height, weight, hair colour, eye colour, occupation, interests and any goodwill message he or she might have written for you.
Information about your donor: identifying information
If you are 18 or over, you might be able to request identifying information about your donor, including his or her name, date of birth, town of birth and last known address. Identifying information is not available to all donor-conceived people, and your position depends on your particular situation.
The law relating to donor anonymity was changed on 1 April 2005. From this date, all new donors registered had to agree to being identifiable. Donors who had registered before 1 April 2005 had the option to become identifiable and, if they chose not to do so, their eggs or sperm could be used in treatment on an anonymous basis only until 31 March 2006 (unless they were being used to create a sibling pregnancy in respect of an older donor-conceived child).
In practice this means that:
- If you were conceived before 1 April 2005, you cannot obtain identifying information about your donor, unless he or she has elected to re-register as an identifiable donor.
- If you were conceived between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006, your donor could be either an anonymous or an identifiable donor.
- If you were conceived after 1 April 2006, your donor is almost certainly an identifiable donor (unless you are the younger genetic sibling of a child conceived with an anonymous donor).
If you want to find out what information is available to you in your particular circumstances and when, ask the clinic where you were conceived, yor you can write to the HFEA or contact us for advice.
If you are entitled to ask for identifying information about your donor, only you can request this information. It will not be made available to your parents or anyone else before you reach the age of 18. You are also likely to be offered counselling before information is released.
