Sperm donors in the United Kingdom are altruistic volunteers. This means there is no financial gain to the donors, they are only paid reasonable expenses. Donors are paid in some countries.

Sperm donors are often recruited from a local student population or from men who already have families and who wish to help others. Couples may wish to use a known donor or a relative of the husband so that the baby will be related to both parents. This is acceptable if all parties agree.

Sperm donors should be healthy men of normal intelligence and fertility with no history of mental disorders or genetic or inherited diseases. The donors should be between 18 and 45 years old (though some clinics only accept donors up to 40). Ideally, they should have had healthy children of their own.

The centre may contact the potential donor's doctor (with the donor's permission) to see if s/he knows of any reason that precludes the donor from donation.

Because some sperm die during freezing procedures, it is essential for sperm donors to have a high number of normal motile sperm in the ejaculate. Some fertile men may not be suitable as sperm donors.

Sperm donors undergo blood tests and genital examination including checking for urethral discharge, genital warts and ulcers. They are only taken on if they receive the all clear.