Source: https://wearabledocs.com/states/alabama [Your state](https://wearabledocs.com/states) / Alabama Refusal to Make Anatomical Gift; Effect of Refusal · Alabama # Alabama: how to refuse organ donation In plain English In Alabama you can refuse to donate by signing a record, in your will, or, during a terminal illness or injury, by telling at least two adults, one of whom has no interest in the decision. Effect of an unrevoked refusal > Except as otherwise provided in Section 22-19-167(h), in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the individual set forth in the refusal, an individual's unrevoked refusal to make an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part bars all other persons from making an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part. Ala. Code § 22-19-166 If you came here to get off the registry ## Is removing the donor designation enough in Alabama? Taking your name off the organ donor registry is a revocation. So is [removing the designation from your driver’s license](https://wearabledocs.com/remove-organ-donor-from-license). Under Ala. Code § 22-19-167, Alabama law treats a revocation and a refusal as two different things, and only the refusal settles it. A revocation withdraws the gift you made. It does not stop anyone else from making the gift for you. Only a refusal does that, and Ala. Code § 22-19-166 is the section that says so. It has to be signed. Both provisions are quoted in full below, from Alabama’s own code. What Alabama asks ## What you need to make a refusal in Alabama **Act** 2006 revision **Enforcement** An unrevoked refusal bars all other persons from making the gift. **Signing it yourself** No witnesses required by the statute. **If someone signs at your direction** Two adults. At least one of the two must be a disinterested witness; the other may be anyone, including a family member. **Notary** Not required. **Alabama law** Ala. Code §§ 22-19-166, 22-19-167 **Statute read** 2026-09-02 Refusal to Make Anatomical Gift; Effect of Refusal · Preclusive Effect of Anatomical Gift, Amendment, or Revocation ## The statute itself Quoted from Alabama’s enacted code, in full and unedited. How a refusal is made (a) > An individual may refuse to make an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part by: (1) a record signed by: (A) the individual; or (B) subject to subsection (b), another individual acting at the direction of the individual if the individual is physically unable to sign; (2) the individual's will, whether or not the will is admitted to probate or invalidated after the individual's death; or (3) any form of communication made by the individual during the individual's terminal illness or injury addressed to at least two adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested witness. Ala. Code § 22-19-166 In plain English Three ways: a signed record, your will, or telling two adults during a terminal illness or injury. How it must be witnessed (b) > A record signed pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(B) must: (1) be witnessed by at least two adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested witness, who have signed at the request of the individual; and (2) state that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in subdivision (1). Ala. Code § 22-19-166 In plain English Needed only when someone else signs for you because you cannot. Two adult witnesses, one with no stake in the decision. What an unrevoked refusal does (d) > Except as otherwise provided in Section 22-19-167(h), in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the individual set forth in the refusal, an individual's unrevoked refusal to make an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part bars all other persons from making an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part. Ala. Code § 22-19-166 In plain English Once you have refused and not taken it back, no one else can donate your body or any part of it. A revocation is not a refusal (b) > A donor's revocation of an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under Section 22-19-165 is not a refusal and does not bar another person specified in Section 22-19-163 or 22-19-168 from making an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under Section 22-19-164 or 22-19-169. Ala. Code § 22-19-167 In plain English Taking back a gift (registry, license) is not the same as refusing. Others may still donate unless you refuse. [Look up another state](https://wearabledocs.com/states) ## Ready to make yours for Alabama? [Get a plan](https://wearabledocs.com/cart?seats=1) [See pricing](https://wearabledocs.com/pricing)