Alpha Fidelis
Sperm Donor Requirements

Am I Eligible to Donate Sperm?

Some criteria are fixed before you apply. Others are evaluated during the medical screening process. Here is a clear breakdown of what is required and what is reviewed.

Quick Answer

To donate sperm, you must be 18–35 years old, a California resident (clinic visits required 2–3x/week), a non-smoker with no active drug use, and able to commit for6–12 months. A semen analysis, genetic carrier screening, full STI panel, and psychological evaluation are all part of the screening process — and all costs are covered. FDA regulations require a 6-month sample quarantine before release.

Baseline Eligibility

These Requirements Are Fixed

These criteria are required before an application can move forward. They are not evaluated case by case.

Age
18 – 35 years old
Sperm quality and DNA fragmentation tend to increase with age. Most programs cap acceptance at 35.
California Resident
Local to Southern California
Regular clinic visits (2–3 times per week) are required. You must be within commuting distance of a partnered clinic.
BMI & General Health
Healthy BMI, non-smoker
Tobacco, vaping, and recreational drug use are disqualifying. Obesity can affect sperm quality and hormone levels.
Education
High school diploma or above
Many recipients include educational background in their match criteria. Higher education backgrounds are in demand.
Tobacco & Substances
Non-user
All donors are tested for common substances as part of initial screening. Active use is disqualifying.
Commitment
6 – 12 months
Consistent availability for the full donation period is required. This includes the FDA-mandated 6-month quarantine phase.
Medical Screening

What Gets Evaluated — Not Automatically Disqualifying

These factors are reviewed during the screening process. Many applicants who are uncertain about one of these areas are still accepted after full evaluation.

Semen Analysis
Your first clinic visit includes a semen analysis evaluating sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and volume. Samples must meet minimum thresholds to proceed. Some donors are borderline on first analysis but improve with abstinence timing adjustments.
Genetic Carrier Screening
Expanded carrier testing covers 200+ hereditary conditions including cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and fragile X. Carrying a gene variant does not automatically disqualify you — results are disclosed to matched recipients.
STI & Infectious Disease Panel
FDA-mandated testing for HIV (1 and 2), hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HTLV, CMV, and West Nile virus. Active infections are disqualifying; most prior cleared infections are not.
Karyotype Testing
A standard chromosome analysis is performed to check for common chromosomal abnormalities. This is part of the FDA-required donor testing protocol.
Psychological Evaluation
A confidential assessment with a licensed psychologist experienced in third-party reproduction. The evaluation is designed to support you and ensure you are making an informed decision — not to disqualify you.
Family Medical History
A detailed review of heritable conditions in your immediate family. Many conditions are documented and disclosed to recipients but do not disqualify donors. First-degree relatives with certain heritable conditions may affect eligibility.
Current Medications
Most medications do not affect eligibility. Some — including anabolic steroids, testosterone therapy, and certain antidepressants — can temporarily affect sperm quality and require a waiting period or additional evaluation.
DNA Fragmentation
Some programs include sperm DNA fragmentation testing, which measures the integrity of the genetic material in sperm. Elevated fragmentation can affect fertilization rates and is reviewed by the clinical team.
Practical Considerations

Schedule and Commitment

The sperm donation program is a meaningful time commitment. Here is what the practical reality looks like.

Clinic Proximity
Donors visit a partnered fertility clinic 2–3 times per week during the active donation phase — typically before work or school. You must be within reasonable commuting distance of a Southern California clinic. We cannot accommodate remote donors.
Schedule Consistency
Regular, consistent donation schedules produce better outcomes. Erratic timing or long gaps between donations can affect sample quality. Most successful donors treat this like a part-time commitment with a fixed weekly schedule.
Abstinence Windows
Optimal sample quality requires 2–3 days of abstinence before each visit. The clinic will advise on timing. Donors who follow abstinence guidelines produce measurably better samples.
Confidentiality Awareness
You may choose between an anonymous program and an open-identity (identity-release) program, where recipients can contact you once any resulting child turns 18. Both are legally structured and supported. Your choice is documented in the donor agreement.
No Active Military Deployment
The 6–12 month commitment and regular clinic visits are not compatible with active deployment schedules. California-based veterans and reservists who are not under active deployment are welcome to apply.

Not Sure If You Qualify?

Many applicants disqualify themselves before reaching out — often unnecessarily. If you meet the basic age, residency, and lifestyle criteria, submit an inquiry. Our team reviews every application individually and will give you an honest assessment within 2 business days.

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