Can Donors Decline Reimbursements?

Occasionally, clients donating eggs or sperm to a friend or relative ask us: Do I have to accept reimbursements? They wonder whether refusing to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses could affect the legality of their agreement.

For clarity, reimbursement is not payment. It simply means being paid back for expenses incurred during the donation process—such as gas, parking, or childcare (if the donor needs a babysitter while attending medical appointments).

The short answer is yes—donors can absolutely decline reimbursements if they choose. However, we encourage donors to carefully consider their financial circumstances and their relationship with the intended parents.

Some donors feel guilty accepting reimbursements, especially knowing how much the intended parents are already spending on fertility treatments. But it’s important to remember that donors are entitled to be reimbursed and are never expected to personally subsidize the donation. If a donor prefers to decline reimbursement as a gesture of goodwill, that’s entirely their choice—but it should never be due to guilt or uncertainty about the process.

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