Sperm donation is becoming more and more common for people who want to start a family and are unwilling or unable to do so naturally. For the sperm donors and the people who are inseminating, it is crucial to fully understand the type of donation and insemination that is being done so that they can ensure they are prepared to deal with the legal ramifications of the option.

What types of sperm donation are possible?

Two types of sperm donation are possible — anonymous and known. The sperm recipient doesn’t know the donor in an anonymous donation, and the child could contact the donor when the child turns 18 years old. The sperm recipient knows who the donor is a known donation.

What type of arrangements is possible for sperm donation?

You can choose sperm donation through a licensed fertility clinic or a private donation. If you go through a licensed fertility clinic, the sperm donor doesn’t have any involvement in the child’s life. The donor’s name isn’t on the birth certificate. In a private donation, the sperm donor carries all of the responsibilities of having a child, including the right to be a parent of the child.

In Canada, a child can only have two parents from a legal standpoint. This, however, doesn’t mean that you should skip a co-parenting agreement if the sperm donor has a role in the child’s life. The co-parenting agreement lays out the roles of each person in case there is a disagreement over something in the future. Before you enter into a co-parenting agreement or sperm donation, be sure you understand the relevant points of Canadian law and how they affect you.

Source: Co-Parent Match, “Search for Sperm Donors in Canada NOW!,” accessed Sep. 16, 2016

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