In the dynamic landscape of third-party reproduction, the advent of open ID egg donation marks a significant shift in egg donation. It’s a model that places a strong emphasis on honesty, transparency, and the best interests of all parties involved: the donors, the intended parents, and most importantly, the donor-conceived children. At Coertility, we advocate for open ID agreements when direct disclosure is not possible, shifting the traditional paradigm to honor the needs and rights of every individual involved in the process.
What is open ID egg donation?
Open ID, sometimes referred to as Identity Release, egg donation refers to a practice wherein the egg donor agrees to have her identity disclosed to the child born from her donation once the child reaches a certain age, typically at 18 years. Unlike traditional anonymous egg donations, open ID egg donation recognizes the potential need for children to access vital information about their genetic heritage, medical history, and potentially, their donor’s identity.
In some countries, like the UK, open ID is the law. Since 2005, every child born via donor gametes in the UK has the right to personal non-identifying information about the donor (such as a physical description, year of birth, and medical history) at age 16. Upon turning 18, they are entitled to identifying information including the donor’s name and last known address.
Disclosed vs. undisclosed vs. open ID egg donation
Navigating the world of egg donation involves understanding various terminologies and models of donation. At Cofertility, we have two main types of egg donations – disclosed and undisclosed, each of which can provide a different level of contact and communication between the intended parents and the donor. For families and donors that chose undisclosed donation, open ID is an alternative.
What is disclosed donation?
A disclosed donation is when the donor and the intended parents mutually agree to exchange contact information and communicate directly with each other. This model facilitates open communication and interaction, fostering a deeper understanding and connection between the parties. Disclosed donations often provide an opportunity for both the donor and the intended parents to establish rapport and ease any potential anxieties associated with the process.
This doesn’t mean that the donor is in the family’s life. The disclosure status is separate from any potential relationship that you have with the donor. For example, you may have a disclosed donation, in which you share contact information but decide not to maintain any regular communication.
What is undisclosed donation?
In contrast to the disclosed model, an undisclosed donation at Cofertility means that the intended parents and the donor do not exchange contact information and communicate solely through our team. We act as an intermediary, relaying information and facilitating discussions between both parties. This model provides a layer of privacy while still enabling crucial information exchange.
What is open ID egg donation?
For those who choose an undisclosed donation, open ID is an alternative. This model allows for the donor’s identity to be disclosed to the child resulting from the donation once the child reaches a certain age, typically 18 years.
This arrangement respects the potential desire of the donor conceived child to know more about their genetic background and potentially connect with the donor. The open ID agreement is often structured based on the comfort and consent of all parties involved and takes into consideration the best interest of the donor conceived person.
At Cofertility, we encourage both disclosed and open ID agreements, as we believe in the importance of honoring the rights and curiosity of donor-conceived people. This approach demonstrates our commitment to transparency, honesty, and respect for all parties involved in the deeply personal process of egg donation. At baseline, studies show the benefits of being honest with your child about his or her donor conceived origins
Why Cofertility supports open ID egg donation
At Cofertility, we firmly believe that anonymous egg donation belongs to the past. With the advancements in genetic testing and the increasingly interconnected world we live in, the promises of anonymity given by many egg donation agencies are simply wrong. In a world where genetic testing is widely accessible, there are no guarantees of a completely anonymous gamete donation.
But that doesn’t mean that a disclosed donation is right for every family. And we think it’s important to us to be mindful of unique circumstances and inclusive of cultures that still prefer undisclosed donations. We hold space for those intended parents and strive to help them reach an arrangement with their donor that honors their cultural needs alongside the donor conceived person’s lived experience. In these cases, open ID is an option that gives the parents privacy they desire, while giving the donor conceived child a chance to know who the donor is if they choose to as an adult.
Why open ID egg donation prioritizes the child’s best interest
We are very explicit with the families we work with about the research indicating the benefits of being open with children about their donor-conceived roots. We encourage disclosed donations and are eager to connect intended parents with evidence-based research and experts who can discuss the topic further. It’s important to encourage both egg donors and intended parents to consider the best interests of the potential donor-conceived child in this process. For many donor-conceived individuals, knowing their genetic background is an essential part of their identity.
Open ID egg donation allows these donor-conceived individuals to access this vital information, enhancing their understanding of their own identity. It also provides them with the option to connect with their donor, should they wish to do so, once they reach adulthood.
This model not only respects the curiosity and rights of the donor-conceived child but also acknowledges the donor’s role in the conception process. It also allows intended parents to answer any questions their child might have about their genetic background honestly and openly.
How relationships and communication work in open ID egg donation
At Cofertility, we believe in the power of relationships. We work closely with all parties involved in the egg donation process to build a relationship that feels right for them.
We guide donors and intended parents through the complexities of agreements (including open ID agreements), ensuring that they understand the potential future implications and are comfortable with the level of contact agreed upon. Each egg donation agreement is customized based on the comfort level and wishes of all parties, ensuring a mutual understanding and respect for everyone’s preferences.
Is open ID egg donation right for your family?
Open ID egg donation is a progressive approach that honors the needs, rights, and best interests of donors, families, and donor conceived offspring. At Cofertility, we’re committed to transparency, honesty, and respect for all parties involved in this deeply personal process.
In a world of ever-evolving third party reproduction, we are dedicated to moving with the times, staying up to date with the latest research, and promoting practices that reflect the reality of today’s world. Our focus remains on building strong relationships, facilitating open communication, and ultimately, serving the best interests of donor-conceived children.
As we help build families, we invite you to join us in embracing this approach, paving the way for a more transparent, respectful, and child-centered egg donation process.
Find your open ID donor with Cofertility
Cofertility was built with the belief that egg donation should prioritize the well-being of everyone involved — intended parents, egg donors, and future donor-conceived people. After extensive conversations with families and donors, we created an egg sharing model grounded in transparency, respect, and long-term support.
Our donors can freeze their eggs for free for their own future fertility when they donate half to help another family grow. This approach reduces financial pressure, encourages thoughtful participation, and supports more ethical family-building.
We take a human-centered approach to matching, honoring cultural values, disclosure preferences, and the evolving needs of donor-conceived families. Support doesn’t end at matching or birth — Cofertility offers education and resources to help families navigate conversations about origins and identity over time.
Every intended parent is supported by our Embryo Guarantee and lifelong access to guidance. Create a free account to explore an fresh and frozen egg donation programs and find your perfect match today.
