Can Egg Donors Stay Anonymous? What to Know About Privacy and DNA Testing

Key Takeaways

• Egg donors can choose whether to remain anonymous or allow identifying information to be shared.
• U.S. laws around donor anonymity vary by state.
• Technology and consumer DNA testing have made full anonymity less certain in today’s world.
• Donors should review their agreement and consents carefully and ask questions before making a final decision.

Understanding Donor Anonymity 

Egg donors play a meaningful role in helping intended parents build their families. When someone donates eggs, both the donor and recipient sign agreements outlining responsibilities, rights, and privacy preferences.

Many donors prefer to remain anonymous, while others are open to being known. Whether anonymity is possible depends on the type of agreement made at the beginning of the process and on local laws.

Traditionally, there are four types of egg donor situations: 

• Non-directed, or “anonymous”: The donor’s profile contains no identifying information, and the donor and intended parent(s) do not share contact or identifying information with one another. 
• Semi-anonymous or semi-open: the donor and intended parent(s) share limited personal information with each other (ex. first names). This arrangement has the possibility for future contact if both parties agree, but is not a requirement.
• Open: Full legal names and full contact information will be exchanged by both the intended parents and donor. There may be other options for future contact negotiated during the legal contract with attorneys. 
• Directed, or “known”: a friend or family member who has agreed to donate eggs to the intended parent(s). 

What Do the Laws Say About Donor Anonymity?

There is no single federal law in the United States governing egg donor anonymity. Instead, each state determines how much information can be shared and under what circumstances.

In some states, egg donor identities remain confidential. In others, individuals conceived through donation may be allowed to request identifying information when they reach adulthood. Some regions also allow limited disclosure for medical purposes, such as when a doctor needs genetic information for treatment.

International laws vary as well. Some countries protect donor anonymity completely, while others encourage or require open donation to allow donor-conceived individuals to access their genetic history later in life.

Why Aren’t Anonymous Egg Donors Really Anonymous?

In non-directed donations, a fertility program, donor egg agency or egg bank commits to safeguarding the personal information of donors and intended parents while still providing access to genetic medical information for the donor-conceived child,. However, once a donor-conceived child becomes an adult, they may choose to seek additional information about their biological origins through DNA testing or the Donor Sibling Registry. 

Even when donors want to remain anonymous (non-directed) on paper, advances in genetic testing and online ancestry databases have made complete anonymity impossible to guarantee. 

If an anonymous donor submits their DNA to an ancestry or genetic service in the future, and a donor-conceived person does the same, shared genetic markers could reveal a biological connection. The same is true if relatives of either party use these services.

This doesn’t mean anonymity agreements aren’t valuable—they still clearly define what information can be shared by clinics and agencies. But it does mean donors and intended parents should understand that future technology could make genetic connections easier to trace.

For Intended Parents

Talk with your doctor and the team at San Diego Fertility Center about your questions or concerns regarding egg donation anonymity.

Consider that your child will be an adult with their own priorities and questions, and the right to know about their genetic medical and family history.

Remember that you will always be your child’s parent, no matter how they were conceived or if they have contact with their donor.

For Potential Egg Donors

Talk with the team at San Diego Fertility Center about your options as a non-directed donor.

Learn about the laws for egg donor identity in the state where you will be donating your eggs. 

Consider how you feel about the possibility of a person conceived from your donated egg contacting you as an adult. You do not have to respond, of course, but it is possible they might reach out. If you require complete, guaranteed anonymity, then egg donation may not be right for you.

What to Consider Before Deciding

Every donor has the right to choose whether to remain non-directed, to allow limited contact, or to participate in an open donation. These preferences are built into the agreement and clinic protocols before the donation cycle begins.

The most important thing to remember, for donors and parents alike, is that the level of anonymity does not impact parental rights. Whether or not identifiable information is shared before or after the donation, the recipients of the donor eggs are the full legal parents of the child. 

If you’re considering donating, it may be helpful to talk with a legal or fertility professional about what anonymity means under your state’s laws. That conversation ensures you understand your rights and can make the choice that feels right for you.

Learn More About Donor Privacy

At San Diego Fertility Center, donor privacy and consent are taken seriously. Our team walks donors through every step of the process, including the options for remaining non-directed or open. If you’d like to learn more about egg donation or discuss your privacy preferences, contact San Diego Fertility Center to speak with a member of our third party team.

FAQ

Is egg donation always non-directed?

Not always. Some donors prefer to not share their identifiable information with the intended parents, while others choose to allow limited or open contact, depending on the agreement.

Can donor-conceived children access information about their donor?

It depends on state law and the terms of the donor’s agreement. In some cases, non-identifiable information may be shared when the child reaches adulthood.

Clinically reviewed by Alyssa Schoenemann, RN