As you pursue the surrogacy journey, intended parents may need to find a gamete donor because of personal circumstances or medical reasons. While you search for a sperm donor, you’ll need to decide whether to use a known or unknown sperm donor. This is a matter of personal preference, but there are some differences between the two that will help you come to a decision.
To begin filling out your surrogacy planning questionnaire with us, use our online contact form today. We’re here to help you out whenever you need us, and that includes helping you fill out this crucial form while you wait for your embryos to get ready.
What Is a Known Sperm Donor?
A known sperm donor is an individual who donates sperm to a recipient with whom they have an existing relationship or connection, as opposed to an anonymous or unknown sperm donor whose identity remains confidential. The known donor might be a friend, relative, or acquaintance of the recipient. The process and legal implications of using a known sperm donor can differ significantly from those involving anonymous donors.
Known vs. Unknown Sperm Donor [Pros and Cons]
When it comes to choosing between a known vs. unknown sperm donor, it’s important to understand the difference. An unknown donor is typically an anonymous donor selected from a sperm bank. A known sperm donor, on the other hand, is someone you personally know, such as a family member or a friend.
To help you choose what’s best for you, we’ve listed out some pros and cons of each option.
It’s not as expensive as using an unknown donor found through a sperm bank registry. A known sperm donor allows the child to know their biological background, which can be important for their sense of identity and understanding of their genetic history. Known sperm donors can provide detailed medical histories and updates, which can be critical for the child’s health. The child can have similar genetics if the donor is one of the intended parents’ siblings. Using a known donor can affect existing relationships, potentially leading to complex emotional situations. A known donor might have or wish to have some level of involvement in the child's life, necessitating clear legal agreements to define custody, visitation, and parental responsibilities. The known sperm donor might feel pressured or obligated. The screening process might be more rigorous for unknown sperm donors due to regulatory requirements. An unknown sperm donor typically has no legal rights or responsibilities. Unforeseen changes in the agreement are rare. Using an unknown donor ensures anonymity, which can protect the privacy of all parties involved. You may spend more on an unknown sperm donation Anonymous donors can still be discovered if the child uses genetic services. The child may not know much about their genetic background
Known Sperm Donor Laws by State
For the known sperm donor process, each state has its own laws in terms of sperm donation. For example, all states have laws regarding how the donation can be legally recognized, what qualifies as a known sperm donor bank and who is a legal parent.
Every state also has laws for how the donor is genetically tested and screened before donation. A known sperm donor bank will often conduct additional medical examinations to be as cautious as possible, given that you’d be using an unknown donor if you use a sperm bank.
Finding a Sperm Donor
When it comes to finding a sperm donor, you have the option of working with either a local or national sperm bank. You could also go directly through your clinic, but be sure to check with them first. Some clinics provide sperm donation services whereas others do not. Before you begin searching for a sperm donor, we commend that you consider whether you want to use a known or unknown donor first. This can narrow down your options and make your surrogacy journey that much smoother.
Be sure to speak with your surrogacy specialist and fertility clinic about what your state’s laws say about using a known vs unknown sperm donor. Our extensive network of ART attorneys can tell you everything that you need to know about your specific circumstances. They understand the ins and outs of surrogacy law.
If you need to talk through your surrogacy needs and preferences, then reach out to us today. We can help you address all those needs in your surrogacy planning questionnaire so that you can begin your path to parenthood as soon as the embryos are prepared.