Organ & Tissue Donor Registry Now Available Through SCDMV

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) announced today that residents of the state can now register on the newly-created South Carolina Organ and Tissue Donor Registry through the SCDMV. South Carolina joins over 45 other states by implementing a registry. By marking "yes" on the new SCDMV credentials form, an individual indicates their legally binding consent to become an organ and tissue donor. Registrants will have a new symbol placed on their driver license/identification card indicating their consent to be a donor.

Previously, everyone who applied for or renewed any class driver license, beginner permit or identification card had the option of indicating their intent to be an organ/tissue donor on their credential. Those wishing to be a donor were issued a credential that contained a heart with the letter "Y" in the center. However, the individual's personal information was not provided to any organization or outside entity. There was no organ and tissue donor registry and a person's next of kin or legal guardian made the final decision about donation at the time of death.

Beginning December 22, 2008, persons who obtain or renew any class driver license, beginner permit or identification card and consent to being an organ/tissue donor will receive a credential with a new heart symbol surrounded by a circle. The individual's registration information will be placed into the secure registry database, which by S.C. law, will be maintained by Donate Life South Carolina (DLSC). By registering to be an organ/tissue donor, consent is no longer required from any other person unless the donor is under the age of 18. For minors under the age of 18, the parent or legal guardian will also be required to consent at the time of donation.

Each time an individual applies for, renews, updates or requests a duplicate credential for any class driver license, beginner permit or identification card, they must indicate whether or not they consent to be an organ/tissue donor.

Beginning Jan. 14, 2009, with the official launch of the registry, individuals who want to sign up to be donors will be able to register their legal consent online.

Individuals who wish to be removed from the registry should contact DLSC at 1-87-PASS-IT-ON or www.donatelifesc.org. They may also visit any SCDMV office or go to www.scdmvonline.com and complete a credential transaction to remove their name from the list. SCDMV will assess an administrative fee for the change and there may be a 72-hour delay in removing an individual's name from the South Carolina Donor Registry.