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Intended Parents

Unknown vs. Known Sperm Donors

Growing your family through surrogacy or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) may require using a sperm donor. You may already have someone in mind you’d like to ask to be your donor, or you may need to find one through a sperm bank. From there you can choose between an unknown or known sperm donor.

The decision is yours to make as it comes down to what you are comfortable with but knowing how they differ can help you come to a conclusion.

Sperm donors must meet specific requirements. Learn more here

This article will break down the differences between unknown and known sperm donors, how they work with surrogacy and IVF and the pros and cons that could factor into your decision.

What Is A Known Sperm Donor? [Known vs. Unknown]

A known sperm donor sounds exactly like what it is; someone you know or have a connection with that is willing to donate their sperm to help you conceive. This also known as a directed donor.

With the known sperm donor process, the sperm from the donor is collected at a fertility clinic where it’s tested before being frozen for IVF.

Open ID Donors

The verbiage that sperm banks use can be confusing and its important to distinguish the differences.

A “known” donor can also be referred to as an Open ID donor. This doesn’t mean you know the donor personally, rather that their identifying info can be released upon request once the child turns 18.

Unknown or Undisclosed

Unknown or “anonymous” are sperm donors that you have found through a sperm bank and identifying information about them is not provided. You and your child will not have contact with the donor.

With an unknown donor, sperm can be obtained from professionals like sperm banks. Sperm banks have donation programs and storage facilities with practices to ensure donors are thoroughly vetted and the sperm is safely and securely stored.

With the rise of ancestry tracking tools like Ancestry.com, 23&Me and more, and the prevalence of social media, it’s becoming harder and harder for it to be completely anonymous so terms like “Non-ID Release” or Undisclosed are used.

Then, the fertilized embryo is transferred to your surrogate’s uterus.

Unknown or anonymous sperm donors have no identifying information about them. You and your child will not have contact with the donor.

With an unknown donor, sperm can be obtained from professionals like sperm banks. Sperm banks have donation programs and storage facilities with practices to ensure donors are thoroughly vetted and the sperm is safely and securely stored.

Intended parents can look at profiles of sperm donors to determine characteristics that could be important to them, from physical traits to their medical and educational background.

Then, that sperm is sent to your surrogate’s fertility clinic where it will fertilize an egg before the created embryo is transferred to your surrogate.

Find out more about shipping donated sperm

Known vs. Unknown Sperm Donor [Pros and Cons]

The choice is ultimately yours to make and comes down to what you are most comfortable with, but here’s some examples of pros and cons for each option.

Pros of Using a Known Sperm Donor

  • More Information Available

    With an unknown donor, there is a limit to the information available about them. When choosing a known sperm donor, you’ll have access to much more information that could help inform your decision like their medical health history. 

  • Cost

    Finances are a common concern for many that are looking to grow their family through assisted reproductive technology (ART). A known donor could save you money vs. finding an unknown sperm donor through a sperm bank. 

  • Choosing Genetics

    Whether you or your partner are infertile or are a LGBT couple, finding a known sperm donor allows you to choose the genetics you wish your child to have, such as height, skin and eye color.

  • Identity Clarification

    Your child may notice difference between them and you or your partner or you may tell them. No matter how your child learns of how they were conceived, using a known sperm donor allows your child to have a sense of identity. 

    Cons of Using a Known Sperm Donor

    • Conflict over Parenting Decisions: Although a sperm donor does not have any legal rights over your child, there still could be conflict over your parenting decisions if it’s a close friend or family member.
    • Donor-felt Pressure: It’s a big decision to commit to donating sperm to help create a child. They may feel uncomfortable or pressured into helping you.
    • Indecisive Donor: A donor could have less or more involvement than agreed upon.

    Pros of Using an Unknown Sperm Donor

    • Peace of Mind for Both Parties

      Using an anonymous donor comes with a sort of unspoken agreement for no contact. This can give you confidence that they won’t try and change their mind or have more input into your parenting than some known sperm donor agreements. 

    • Avoiding Conflict

      Whether it’s a donor asking for more input into the child’s life or just more money, using an unknown sperm donor ensures this can’t happen. 

    • Screening Process

      In addition to most clinics and sperm banks having their own requirements for donors, the federal government helps regulate the process too with strict protocol on sperm donation. 

    • Less Shame for Parents

      The stigma against using an anonymous sperm donor has significantly declined but regardless of how you and your partner feel today, it could prevent the negative feelings you or your partner may feel. 

      Cons of Using an Unknown Sperm Donor

      • Cost: Both choices come with cost but choosing an unknown donor typically is more expensive. From the screening and testing to the storage and handling fees and more.
      • No Future Communication: Unknown sperm donors remain unknown. There is no one time or future contact possible down the road even if one party changes their mind. A child may want to seek closure. You may want to know more about the person that helped you grow your family. Neither is possible with unknown sperm donors.
      • Genetic Testing Technology: With the rise of genetic testing technology, like at-home DNA tests and genealogy websites, it’s possible that donor conceived children could identify the donor. Depending on if you have told your child about how they were conceived, it could be a difficult conversation.

      Known Sperm Donor Laws by State

      When it comes to finding a known sperm donor, be aware of state laws.

      Different states have different laws when it comes to sperm donations that address:

      • The known sperm donor process done legally
      • Who is a presumed parent
      • What qualifies as a known sperm donor bank

      Contact us online for more free information about how to find a sperm donor. We’re here for you whenever you need us.

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