What to expect when accessing donor conception records and making contact
Part of the Donor conception information register topic
The register helps people linked through donor conception to share information safely. It also helps people make contact when everyone agrees.
In short
It can be an emotionally significant experience:
- accessing donor conception records
- having your information released.
Everyone’s experience is different and what you experience may change over time. You may:
- find answers
- have new questions
- need time to process what you learn.
Before making contact, think about your own needs and the needs of others. Contact only happens when everyone agrees.
You may find it helpful to:
- take time to process new information
- talk with family or someone you trust
- seek counselling or support
- consider how it may affect you to make contact with others.
Counselling and support are available for people finding out they are donor conceived and anyone who would like to access the register.
If you are donor conceived
The register may help you learn more about yourself.
You may find information about your:
- genetic history
- medical information
- donor
- donor conceived siblings.
Watch these videos to hear people’s stories:
- What are the rights of a donor conceived child?
- The reality of donor conception
- Experiences of donor conception: Louise
- Experiences of donor conception: Ross
If you are a donor
The law allows identifying information about a donor to be shared with donor conceived people.
This includes donors who donated before the register was created, even if they expected to stay anonymous.
You may also learn that children were born from your donation.
This news may be unexpected, especially if you donated many years ago.
You may decide to tell your partner, children or other family members about your donation. Take time to think about what you want to share.
Counselling or other support may help you prepare for these conversations.
If you are a parent
The register may help you learn more about the medical history of your child's genetic relatives.
It may also help you prepare for questions your child may ask.
You may have the chance to connect with other families who used the same donor.
Talking to your child about donor conception
If your adult child does not know they are donor conceived, you may want to tell them before they find out another way.
A donor conceived person 16 or older who applies for their birth certificate will receive an extra document (an addendum). This will tell them that more information about their birth is available from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Some people also discover they are donor conceived through DNA testing.
In the past, fertility clinics often advised parents not to tell their children. Today, openness is encouraged. Knowing about donor conception can help them.
These conversations can be difficult. Being honest, explaining the advice you received at the time, and giving your child time to ask questions can help build trust and understanding.
These videos may help you talk to your child:
- Time to tell: How to tell children they are donor conceived
- Time to tell: How to tell adults they are donor conceived
What to expect when you apply
Applying to the register can have different outcomes. It may take time to receive information, records may be incomplete and contact only happens when everyone agrees.
Someone may not want contact
Contact only happens when everyone agrees.
The other person may not want contact. They may also need more time before they are ready.
This may be hard to accept. People have their own reasons. These reasons can change over time.
It may take time
The time to get information or make contact is different for everyone.
It may take time to:
- process your application
- check information
- contact the other person
- get a reply.
Some people reply quickly. Others need more time.
Missing or incomplete records
If records are incomplete or cannot be found, we will tell you:
- what information we found
- why other records are not available, if we know.
Support is available
You do not have to go through this process alone.
Support services are available if you need help understanding your options or coping with the outcome.
Counselling can help you:
- understand information from the register
- process your thoughts and feelings
- prepare for conversations with family
- consider whether to make contact with others.
Find out more about support services:
You might have been looking for
- Apply to access the donor conception information register
- Add personal details to the donor conception information register
- Add details of a private procedure to the donor conception information register
Managed by: Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages