Who becomes the legal parent of the child when using a sperm donor?

Under Danish law, the woman who gives birth is the child’s legal mother, regardless of whether you have used sperm from a sperm bank or a known donor. If you are receiving treatment as a couple, your partner can generally be registered as the child’s legal father or co-mother, provided the required consent has been given before treatment.

A sperm donor whose sperm is provided through an authorised sperm bank or fertility clinic is generally not considered the legal father and has no parental rights or obligations. Different rules may apply if you are using a known sperm donor.

If you live outside Denmark, the rules on legal parenthood and registration may be different in your home country. We therefore recommend checking the applicable rules in your country, particularly if you are a female couple or are using a known donor.

Learn more details about the civil law consequences of sperm donation.