Applying to be a Donor: Frequently Asked Questions

• How much do sperm donors get paid?

  On average our donors get paid $90/visit. Some donors who possess certain attributes may be offered more for their visits. The sperm donor coordinator will go over this in detail with you as part of the sperm donor program process.

  We also offer several bonus payments to our potential donors for the time and work they put into becoming an active donor:

  • $100 for completing long questionnaire(online) + initial in office semen analysis
  • $250 for successful completion of application/ active donor contract (within 3 months of initial CSA)
  • $950 for submitting a high quality, professional adult photo or consenting to one being taken at our office to be provided to intended parents.
  • Free genetic testing
  • Free periodic STI (sexual transmitted infection) testing
  • Free periodic wellness checks (physical exams)
  • Free access to fertility evaluation / semen analyses

• How often will I be paid and how?

  We provide payment to our donors on a bi-monthly basis (1st and 15th of each month). We provide physical checks to our donors in office or by mail, whichever is preferable.

• What is the commitment to become a sperm donor?

  We require all of our active sperm donors to commit to the screening process, which typically takes 1-3 months and can be completed on average in 3 onsite visits to our office. After the screening process is complete and you move to “active donor” status, we require a minimum of 6 months of weekly collections where each sample provided is of a minimum sperm concentration and quality.

• What if I need to skip a collection or take a short break from the program?

  Breaks are perfectly acceptable. We are committed to making sure that our donors are offered plenty of flexibility to accommodate their personal schedules. We want to make sure the collection process is stress free and easy. If you ever need to cancel or reschedule a collection appointment, or are planning for a vacation or short break due to illness, travel or even schoolwork, all you need to do is notify the sperm donor coordinator or andrology lab as soon as possible. You will be provided contact information for staff upon becoming an active sperm donor.

• How close do I need to live to your office?

  It is recommended that all sperm donors live in a commutable distance to one of our two offices. This is because we require a minimum of one in office sperm collection per week. It is important that you are able to easily get to our office each week on time for your pre-scheduled appointment. We do not offer walk-ins for our sperm donors.

• What things will I be tested for in order to become an active donor?

  The following tests/screenings are performed initially on all sperm donors:

  • Background Check
  • Keirsey Personality Profile
  • Infectious diseases
  • HIV I / II Antibody
  • RPR (Syphilis)
  • Chlamydia (every three months)
  • Gonorrhea (every three months)
  • CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Antibody (IgM and IgG)
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
  • Hepatitis B Core Antibody
  • Hepatitis C Viral Antibody
  • WNV
  • NAT
  • General Wellness
  • Complete Blood Count
  • Physical by medical practitioner
  • American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommended Genetic Testing (ALL donors are tested for the following)
  • Chromosome Analysis (karyotyping)
  • Alpha-thalassemia
  • Beta-thalassemia
  • Bloom's Syndrome
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Canavan Disease
  • Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency
  • Familial Dysautonomia
  • Familial Hyperinsulinism
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Fanconi Anemia Type C
  • Gaucher Disease
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1a
  • Hexosaminidase A Deficiency
  • Joubert Syndrome 2
  • Maple Syrup Urine Disease Type 1B
  • Mucolipidosis Type IV
  • Nemaline Myopathy
  • Niemann-Pick Disease Type A/B
  • Sickle Cell
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  • Tay-Sachs disease
  • Usher Syndrome Type IF, III
  • Walker-Warburg Syndrome
  • Extended Genetic Testing

• Why do I have to go through this lengthy application process instead of just dropping off a sample here or there?

  Sperm donation is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All anonymous and open sperm donations in the United States must comply with FDA criteria to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

  Potential families also want to know details about their sperm donors prior to selecting them. The more detailed information we provide (while maintaining donor anonymity) to prospective families, not only helps them in their selection process, but also helps future children born from donor sperm, understand their unique lineage.

• How does Sperm Bank Inc. keep my identity anonymous?

  Upon submission of the initial application, all prospective and active donors are assigned a unique code in which all of their information is kept under. This includes all testing and official documents within Sperm Bank Inc. and also any outside testing facilities we may use. Only select people are given access to your personal information and have been properly trained on how and when to access that information and how to maintain your anonymity.

• Do I get notified if a pregnancy occurs with my donated sperm?

  No. Similar to your identity being kept anonymous, the families that use your donated sperm are also offered the same protection to their personal information, which includes any reported pregnancies or births.

• I was declined as a sperm donor, why?

  There are several potential reasons for SpermBank Inc. to decline a potential sperm donor:

  • You do not meet requirements such as age, travel history, personal/family health history
  • Your sperm concentration and/or quality is below our minimum amount
  • Your infectious disease testing results came back positive
  • You are a carrier for certain genetic conditions
  • Your counseling session report recommend deferment