• Home  
• English  
• FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can register in the Donorregister?
2. I live in the Netherlands but do not have Dutch nationality. Can I register?
3. Will my decision remain valid if I move abroad?
4. What should I do if I move within the Netherlands?
5. Where can I obtain a donor form?
6. Which organs and/or tissues can I donate for transplantation?
7. Am I registered in the Donorregister and if so, which option have I chosen?
8. How can I have my decision changed?
9. How can I pass on a change of name or address?
10. Can I state my personal wishes or conditions in the Donorregister?
11. Can I indicate who I want to receive my organs and/or tissues?
12. Can I register my decision if I am ill or take medication?
13. What is the correspondence or postal address of the Donorregister?
14. I have a specific question about organ and tissue donation. Where can I find the information I require?

1. Who can register in the Donorregister?

   Anyone aged twelve years and above registered as living in a Dutch municipality can record his or her decision in the Donorregister. There is one exception: according to the law, people unable to give informed consent cannot be registered. The registration is only valid if the person completed the donor form at a time when he/she was mentally capable of doing so. The law does not allow a person to sign a donor form on behalf of another person.Naar boven

2. I live in the Netherlands but do not have Dutch nationality. Can I register?

   Your nationality is not relevant to have your decision regarding organ and tissue donation registered. The Donorregister only registers your decision and your personal details (name, address and date of birth). Other matters, such as nationality and religion are not relevant. A person does have to be an official resident of the Netherlands. That means he or she has to be registered with Dutch local municipal authorities.Naar boven

3. Will my decision remain valid if I move abroad?

   If you move abroad, your registration will automatically be blocked. Physicians will then no longer be able to consult your registration. Registering and consulting is only possible when you are registered with Dutch local municipal authorities. If you move abroad, the laws of that country will apply to all issues concerning organ and tissue donation. The registration will once again become valid as soon as you return to the Netherlands and register with Dutch local municipal authorities.Naar boven

4. What should I do if I move within the Netherlands?

   If you move house within the Netherlands, you do not have to notify the Donorregister. The Dutch local municipal authorities will pass on your change of address automatically if you give them the new address. You will not receive a new confirmation of your registration of these changes. You can request a new confirmation by completing the form Aanvraag registratiebevestiging  (Request confirmation of registration). The form is only available in Dutch.Naar boven

5. Where can I obtain a donor form?

   The donor form  (only available in Dutch) can be downloaded. It will be possible to register, check or change your decision registered through this website later this year. This will only be possible after logging in with DigiD. You can also apply for a form via e-mail or telephone. The Donorregister helpdesk is open during office hours, telephone number +31 (0)900 – 8212166 (local rate). Donor forms are also available at town halls, doctor’s surgeries and pharmacies.Naar boven

6. Which organs and/or tissues can I donate for transplantation?

   The organs that can be donated are: liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, pancreas and small intestines. The tissues that can be donated are: skin, cornea, bone tissue, cartilage and tendons, heart valves and blood vessels. These organs and tissues are mentioned on the donor form. It is possible you want to be a donor but you do not want to donate all of the mentioned organs or tissues. You can register this on the donor form by crossing out option 1 and the organs and tissues you do not want to donate. If you leave the decision to your next of kin (option 3) or to a specific person (option 4) you can let them know which organs and tissues you would prefer to donatie after your death.Naar boven

7. Am I registered in the Donorregister and if so, which option have I chosen?

   The Donorregister can tell you whether you have registered an option. For privacy reasons the option you have chosen is never given over the telephone. If you wish, the Donorregister will send a copy of the confirmation of your registration to the address recorded in the register. This confirmation will state the option chosen. You can request a confirmation of your registration by calling phone number +31 (0)900 – 8212166 (local rate). You can also use the form Aanvraag registratiebevestiging  (Request confirmation of registration). This form is only available in Dutch.Naar boven

8. How can I have my decision changed?

   You can change your decision at all times. To do so, you have to fill in a new donor form. As soon as the Donorregister has received the form, your previous registration will be blocked and your new decision will be registered. You will receive a confirmation of the amended decision for verification within six weeks.Naar boven

9. How can I pass on a change of name or address?

   Any changes in your personal details have to be registered by you with your local municipal authorities. The Donorregister is not able to change your name or address. These changes are passed on automatically by your local authorities to the Donorregister. You don not have to take action in this. You will not automatically receive a new confirmation of registration of these changes. You can request a confirmation of your registration using the form Aanvraag registratiebevestiging (Request confirmation of registration). This form is only available in Dutch.Naar boven

10. Can I state my personal wishes or conditions in the Donorregister?

    The donor form only allows you to indicate which one of the four options you are choosing. If you want to become a donor, you can indicate whether you wish to exclude certain organs and/or tissues from transplantation. If you choose option 1 (permission for donation), you may also register an objection to scientific research. Organs and/or tissues that are removed, but which prove unsuitable for transplantation, are sometimes used for scientific research into transplantation. Research of this kind aims to enhance knowledge about transplantation. If you do not want your organs and/or tissues to be used for this purpose, you can register an objection by completing the form Bezwaar tegen wetenschappelijk onderzoek (Objection to scientific research) and returning it to the Donorregister. The Donorregister will not record any other additional wishes or conditions. Should you have personal wishes or conditions, we would advise you to carry a personal declaration to this effect. This should bear the date and your signature. The Donorregister would also advise you to discuss any such matters with your next of kin so that they are aware of your wishes.Naar boven

11. Can I indicate who I want to receive my organs and/or tissues?

    No, it is not possible to exclude or give priority to certain people or groups. The general anti-discrimination article of the Dutch Constitution grants all Dutch citizens equal access to all medical facilities. Organs and tissues are allocated to recipients anonymously, on the basis of medical criteria and details. This includes aspects such as blood group, tissue type, height, weight, medical urgency and waiting time.Naar boven

12. Can I register my decision if I am ill or take medication?

    Yes, just register your decision in the Donorregister using a donor form. The Donorregister does not record whether a person is ill or taking medication. The decision on whether to transplant a person’s organs and/or tissues depends on the moment, cause and place of death. The physical condition of the deceased donor and the quality of the organs and tissues are also important. A meticulous examination is conducted upon death to determine whether the organs and tissues are suitable for transplantation. Even if a certain organ has been damaged by medication, there are usually other organs and tissues that can be used.Naar boven

13. What is the correspondence or postal address of the Donorregister?

    Forms (no letters) can be sent to:
        Donorregister
        Antwoordnummer 10150
        6460 ZP Kerkrade
        The Netherlands
        (no stamp required)
    Other correspondence (including letters) can be sent to:
        Donorregister  
        Postbus 3039
        6460 HA Kerkrade
        The Netherlands
        (postage stamp required)Naar boven

14. I have a specific question about organ and tissue donation. Where can I find the information I require?

    For information on subjects such as saying your final farewell, the transplant procedure, the funeral or next of kin, please visit the website of NTS-donorvoorlichting.Naar boven