Sperm banks in the United States 2025: donor locations, rules, and compensation

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Zappelphilipp Marx•
Map of the United States with major donor sperm bank locations highlighted for prospective sperm donors

Thinking about becoming a sperm donor and want a center near you? This guide lists active U.S. programs that recruit donors, with addresses, typical age ranges, compensation information, and direct links to their official pages. It also explains the national rules and key state laws so you know what to expect before you apply.

Focus: donor information. Treatment services or vial shipping for recipients are not reviewed here.

Key facts and quick context

  • Screening and safety: all U.S. sperm banks must follow FDA HCT/P rules (21 CFR Part 1271) for donor screening and infectious disease testing; anonymous-donor samples are typically held in a six-month quarantine with repeat testing before release. FDA: 21 CFR 1271, FDA donor-eligibility guidance (2024), FDA Q&A: directed vs. anonymous
  • Compensation: unlike the UK, the U.S. allows payment to donors; rates vary by bank (examples below). Programs usually pay per approved donation and may add bonuses.
  • Identity release: there is no federal identity-release requirement. States can add rules; Colorado (effective 2025) requires identity release at 18 and periodic medical-history updates, and caps families per donor. Washington State requires banks to collect identifying info and offer donors an identity-release choice. Colorado CDPHE overview, RCW 26.26A.810
  • Family limits: the professional guideline commonly referenced is a limit of about 25 families per donor in the U.S., managed by the bank. ASRM guidance (2024), examples from banks below.
  • Time commitment: expect frequent visits (often weekly) for months, plus medical and genetic screening and a follow-up at/after quarantine release.

U.S. sperm banks recruiting donors (A–Z by city or network)

Arlington, TX

Cryobank America

  • Address: 3050 S Center St, Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76014
  • Website: cryobankamerica.com
  • Donor age: program assessed
  • Compensation: typically $70 per approved donation ($50 at donation, $20 after six-month release), with potential up to ~$1,000/month
  • Notes: FDA-compliant donor program; online application and pre-screen

Berkeley, CA

The Sperm Bank of California (non-profit)

  • Address: 2115 Milvia St, Suite 201, Berkeley, CA 94704
  • Website: thespermbankofca.org
  • Donor age: program assessed (apply online)
  • Compensation: $200 per acceptable sample; $700 at the six-month exit appointment; typical monthly earnings ~$950–$1,500+ depending on cadence
  • Notes: long-running non-profit; open-identity options and structured counselling

Cambridge, MA / New York, NY (California Cryobank offices; apply online for nearest donor site)

California Cryobank (Generate Life Sciences)

  • Addresses: 950 Massachusetts Ave, Unit C1, Cambridge, MA 02139; 369 Lexington Ave, Suite 401, New York, NY 10017
  • Website: spermbank.com
  • Donor age: typically 19–38; college student/graduate preferred
  • Compensation: paid per approved donation (program-specific; apply for details)
  • Notes: multi-city network; apply online to be scheduled at designated donor centers

Chicago, IL

Fairfax Cryobank – Chicago Donor Center

  • Address: 1845 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
  • Website: beaspermdonor.com
  • Donor age: program assessed
  • Compensation: paid per approved donation (bank policy)
  • Notes: part of the Fairfax network; family limit policy aligns with ~25 U.S. families per donor

Downers Grove, IL (Chicago area)

Midwest Sperm Bank

  • Address: 387 Shuman Blvd, Suite 130W, Naperville, IL 60563 (administrative); donor intake by appointment (check site)
  • Website: midwestspermbank.com
  • Donor age: program assessed
  • Compensation: paid per approved donation (inquire)
  • Notes: independent bank serving the Midwest; online pre-screening

Fairfax, VA (Washington, DC area)

Fairfax Cryobank – Fairfax Donor Center

  • Address: 3015 Williams Dr, Suite 201, Fairfax, VA 22031
  • Website: beaspermdonor.com
  • Donor age: program assessed
  • Compensation: paid per approved donation
  • Notes: flagship donor site; FDA and AATB compliance; family-limits policy published

Houston, TX

Fairfax Cryobank – Houston Donor Center

  • Address: 1213 Hermann Dr, Suite 580, Houston, TX 77004
  • Website: beaspermdonor.com
  • Donor age: program assessed
  • Compensation: paid per approved donation
  • Notes: downtown medical district location; online application and scheduling

La Jolla (San Diego), CA

San Diego Sperm Bank

  • Address: 8950 Villa La Jolla Dr, Suite B214, La Jolla, CA 92037
  • Website: sandiegospermbank.com
  • Donor age: typically 18–39
  • Compensation: $100–$130 per approved donation (program pages)
  • Notes: weekly cadence recommended; genetic carrier screening included

Orlando, FL

Cryos International USA

  • Address: 129 W Airport Blvd, Sanford/Orlando area, FL (see site for current donor-center address)
  • Website: cryosinternational.com (donor)
  • Donor age: program assessed
  • Compensation: up to $90 per approved donation
  • Notes: global bank with U.S. donor center; online application and scheduling

Philadelphia, PA

Fairfax Cryobank – Philadelphia Donor Center

  • Address: 800 Walnut St, Suite 122, Philadelphia, PA 19107
  • Website: beaspermdonor.com
  • Donor age: program assessed
  • Compensation: paid per approved donation
  • Notes: Center City location; counselling and medical screening included

Seattle, WA

Seattle Sperm Bank

  • Address: 4915 25th Ave NE, Suite 204, Seattle, WA 98105
  • Website: seattlespermbank.com
  • Donor age: typically 18–39
  • Compensation: paid per approved donation (amount varies by program/site)
  • Notes: offers Open-ID donors and publishes a 25 families in the U.S. limit per donor

Tempe (Phoenix), AZ

Phoenix Sperm Bank

  • Address: 1492 S Mill Ave, Suite 306, Tempe, AZ 85281
  • Website: phoenixspermbank.com
  • Donor age: commonly 18–39
  • Compensation: bank materials cite up to $100 per donation; program bonuses may apply
  • Notes: near ASU campus; weekly donations during active period

How donation works (typical steps)

  1. Application & pre-screen: short online form and initial eligibility check (age, proximity, health, schedule).
  2. Test sample: after 2–5 days abstinence, lab checks count, motility, morphology.
  3. Medical work-up: health history, physical exam, infectious-disease testing per FDA rules, often genetic carrier screening.
  4. Donation phase: regular on-site donations (often weekly) over several months; compensation paid per approved donation.
  5. Quarantine & release: anonymous-donor vials are held ~6 months; donors are re-tested before vials are released to clinics or recipients.

Regulatory basics and the six-month quarantine are defined in FDA regulations and guidance for HCT/P donors. See 21 CFR 1271.85 and recent FDA draft guidance (2024).

Legal and ethical basics in the U.S.

  • Federal framework: FDA rules govern safety (screening/testing, eligibility, quarantine). They do not set identity-release requirements.
  • State examples: Colorado’s 2022 law (in effect 2025) ends anonymous donation in-state and requires identity disclosure to donor-conceived adults, periodic medical-history updates, and family caps. Washington’s law requires banks to collect identifying info and allow donors to choose identity-release; donor-conceived adults can request identifying and/or non-identifying medical info via the bank/clinic.
  • Family limits: U.S. programs follow professional guidance (often ~25 families per donor domestically); banks publish their own caps and track usage.
  • No legal parentage: donors who donate through licensed programs are not legal parents of any children conceived with their donations when proper consents are used under state law.

Useful references: Colorado CDPHE overview, Washington RCW 26.26A.810, ASRM 2024 guidance, FDA donor-eligibility guidance.

Practical tips for stronger samples

Keep appointments consistent, sleep well, avoid smoking, and keep alcohol and caffeine moderate. Stay active, manage stress, and follow abstinence guidance before test days. Bring a valid ID, expect repeat testing, and plan for a six-month follow-up after your last donation.

Alternative path outside a traditional sperm bank

RattleStork connects donors and recipients through a privacy-first marketplace. You can filter by personal criteria, agree tailored donor agreements, and explore co-parenting options with clear expectations.

RattleStork app: private sperm donation and co-parenting made simple
RattleStork lets you organise private donation and co-parenting with clear agreements.s

Learn more: RattleStork – organise private sperm donation online

Private routes can offer more choice and shorter wait times. Use robust agreements and understand future identity-rights for donor-conceived people.

Conclusion

The U.S. has a broad mix of private and non-profit donor programs from Seattle and San Diego to Chicago, Houston, and the East Coast. If you’re healthy, within the program’s age range, and able to visit weekly for a few months, you can make a real difference. Check the center nearest to you, confirm age and screening requirements, review compensation details and family-limit policies, and make sure you’re comfortable with identity-release rules in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Vial prices range from about $795 (Seattle Sperm Bank) to $2,195 (California Cryobank Premium). You’ll also pay shipping (typically $150–$300), processing fees, and any clinic charges for the IUI procedure.

Costs depend on donor traits (e.g., rare genetics, expanded screening), processing type (washed vs. unwashed), shipping method (overnight dry-shipper vs. courier), storage duration, and clinic fees for insemination or associated monitoring.

Clinical pregnancy rates for IUI with donor sperm typically range from 15% to 20% per cycle, though top clinics may report up to 25%, depending on patient age and protocol.

In-stock vials usually ship in 1–2 weeks. Custom requests or post-quarantine testing can add 4–8 weeks due to FDA quarantine and follow-up screening requirements.

Donor sperm is regulated as an HCT/P under FDA 21 CFR 1271. Donors undergo at least six months of quarantine, infectious-disease testing, and a follow-up screen. ASRM guidelines recommend limiting donor offspring per population to reduce consanguinity risk.

Heterosexual couples, single women, and same-sex couples can receive donor sperm. Most clinics require a medical referral, fertility assessment, and informed consent.

Standard is domestic overnight via dry-shipper. Some banks include shipping; others charge a fee. International shipping is possible but incurs additional handling and customs fees.

Anonymous donors remain unidentified. ID-release donors allow offspring to request identifying information (e.g., name, contact) once they reach adulthood, supporting openness in family history.

Donors are generally between 18 and 39 years old. Younger donors often provide higher-quality samples; extended screening for older donors may increase costs.

Standard panels include infectious-disease tests (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis), semen analysis, carrier screening for common genetic disorders, hormone profiling, and detailed medical history intake.

Donors typically receive $75–$150 per donation, depending on bank policies, location, and any additional screening requirements.

Yes—apps like RattleStork offer secure private matching with contract templates, personal criteria filtering, and co-parenting options. Be sure to establish clear legal agreements on parental rights and support.

AI-driven embryo selection and non-invasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) enhance embryo viability assessments, raising success rates. CRISPR research advances our understanding of male infertility but remains in preclinical stages.

Most health plans do not cover donor sperm IUI; coverage is more common for IVF/ICSI. Always verify your policy and seek pre-authorization if possible.

Trusted resources include the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and patient education materials from your chosen fertility clinic.