Donor Sibling Link (DSL)
Contact your donor-conceived genetic siblings
Donor-conceived people are able to get in touch with others who share the same donor, their genetic siblings, through the Donor Sibling Link (DSL).
If you were conceived after 1 August 1991 and are over 18 years of age you are eligible to join.
By signing up to the DSL you can share and/or receive contact details of your donor-conceived genetic siblings who have also consented to join the service and share their details.
The HFEA recommends you complete an ‘Opening the Register’ application first to find out if you have any donor-conceived genetic siblings.
Things to consider before joining
There are a number of things to consider before joining the Donor Sibling Link. The HFEA strongly recommends that you receive counselling or similar support before submitting an application.
- Are you ready to potentially meet any donor-conceived genetic siblings?
- What if there is a lot more or a lot less information available than you expect?
- Do you want to initiate contact or are you happy for others to contact you?
- Would you be disappointed if none of your siblings joined the DSL? Many donor-conceived people may be unaware of their origins, may not know about the register, or simply may not be interested in meeting other donor-conceived genetic siblings.
- What if you contact your donor-conceived genetic siblings and they don’t respond?
Apply to join the DSL
Complete the DSL application form below and submit it with the relevant proof of identity and address requirements.
Remember, only submit your application if you are aware that you have donor-conceived genetic siblings, have had an opportunity to talk through what the implications of contacting or being contacted by them (or possibly even being able to meet them), and are certain you wish to join the Donor Sibling Link.
Identification and proof of address
As part of the application process you will need to provide proof of your identification and address.
The HFEA accepts (only one of each required):
Identification
- Valid passport
- Valid UK identity card
- Birth certificate (if your name has changed since this was issued, you also need to submit deed poll documentation or a marriage certificate)
Address
- A recent utility bill
- A recent bank statement
- Payslip
- NHS card
- Driving licence
We can only accept original identity documents, or copies certified by a solicitor.
Processing your application
Once the HFEA receives your application, the request can be processed.
First, your proof of identity and address will be returned to you by special delivery within five working days.
Confirmation of your registration on the DSL, your PIN (see below for details), and any other information requested will be sent to you within 20 working days.
The HFEA Personal Identification Number
When you receive confirmation from the HFEA you will also receive a PIN, keep this number safe as it will enable you to update your contact details on the register through this website.
How the DSL works
When a fertility clinic treats a patient with donated gametes the details are sent to the HFEA, these include the donor used. Outcomes of treatments carried out at licenced UK fertility clinics are subsequently submitted to the HFEA.
The data on these forms and the DSL application form combined with details from a birth mother’s clinic registration form, enables us to confirm the identity of applicants to the DSL and it tells us which donor was used in the relevant treatment.
Each DSL applicant, when they join, is allocated to a ‘sibling group’ – a group who share the same donor used in the treatment that resulted in their birth.
When any other applicant who was born following treatment with the same donor or donors joins the DSL they are allocated the same sibling group code. All donor-conceived genetic siblings are matched using the sibling group code.
Further information
To find out more about the Donor Sibling Link, email: donorsiblinglink@hfea.gov.uk.
Finding out about your donor, and about any donor-conceived genetic siblings you may have, can be an emotional process.