An individual can seek a sperm donor for many different reasons. Here’s some advice for people finding a sperm donor in California.
You must take several steps prior to searching for sperm donors. You must register your medical professional’s facility with the sperm donor facility and fill out all of the required documents. Once you’ve found a sperm donor in California, fill out a sperm donor contract with an experienced attorney.
5 Steps To Get Started Finding a Sperm Donor in California
You do not need to be registered in order to view donor catalogs, but purchasing sperm requires you to register with the facility you wish to buy from. Once you have identified the sperm donor facility you want to purchase from, follow several steps to find a sperm donor you want in California.
From The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC), here are the steps you must follow:
Step 1: Register your medical professional’s facility (which is required even if you do not intend on working with a medical professional to perform insemination procedures)
Step 2: Fill out required forms, including recipient information, recipient informed consent, and mutual consent.
Step 3: Choose a donor. TSBC, like other sperm donor facilities, has a donor catalog allowing you to browse available sperm donors.
Step 4: Purchase your vials. TSBC requires you to purchase sperm vials over the phone as opposed to purchasing in-person, through email, or through fax.
Related: How Much Does Using a Sperm Donor Cost?
Step 5: Schedule a shipment or pick up. TBSC offers same-day pick-ups, along with scheduled shipments. Check with your sperm donor facility for their means of sperm vial transportation.
Finding a Sperm Donor
Donor catalogs are updated on an ongoing basis. Check the catalogs regularly, as a sperm donor available the last time you browsed may no longer be.
Donors go through screenings and provide extensive biographical information to better help your search efforts. Their profiles provide information about their medical and family history, current pictures of themselves along with baby photos, and hobbies.
The Need for a Sperm Donor Contract in California
Sperm donor contracts protect the legal rights of all parties involved and help each party outline obligations. For example, both parties can agree the donor is not allowed to engage in high-risk sexual behavior until the donations are completed, both parties can agree the donor is not permitted to have contact with the minor child without parental knowledge, and how to address the future use of any leftover sperm.
Related: Are Sperm Donor Agreements Legally Binding?
FAQs for Finding a Sperm Donor in California
What if I want to use the same donor for siblings?
Many sperm donation clinics will set aside inventory for people wishing to have more than one child using the same donor. The clinic may require a person or couple to already have a child from the sperm donor. Inform the clinic of your intentions to have more children with the same sperm donor once your first child is born.
Does my sperm donor have legal rights to my child if we have a sperm donor contract in California?
No, your sperm donor does not have paternal rights to the child. Family Code section 7613(b)(2)(a) states the donor has no legal parentage if you and he signed a contract acknowledging your mutual intentions that he is the donor but not the father.
Related: Sperm Donor Agreements in California: The Basics
Contact Us
If you or a loved one would like to know more about how to find a sperm donor in California, get your free consultation with one of our family law attorneys today!