How to Prepare and Use the I Do Not Consent Form™ (IDNCF™)
The free I Do Not Consent Form™ (also called the Caregivers and Consent document) available at idonotconsentform.com is a practical tool designed for competent adults (age 18+) who can make their own medical decisions. It creates clear, written documentation of specific treatments, drugs, vaccines, or interventions you refuse—so those refusals can become part of your hospital medical record.
Unlike a standard Advance Directive (which usually applies only after you lose capacity), this is a “right now” document meant to override or clarify the broad general consent form most hospitals ask you to sign on admission. Proponents say proper delivery with proof of receipt strengthens your position; if the documented refusals are ignored, it may support a claim of intentional medical battery.
The form was originally created by an anonymous hospital insider (attorney/RN with administration experience) and is maintained and updated by Laura Bartlett (founder of the free Hospital Hostage Hotline) with medical input from Dr. Margaret Aranda. It remains completely free.
Important disclaimer: This is not legal or medical advice. Laws vary by state. Effectiveness depends on correct completion, notarization, and delivery. Consult a qualified attorney familiar with healthcare law in your jurisdiction if you have questions. Always read the official instructions on the site carefully.
Step-by-Step Guide
Download and carefully read the official instructions
Go to https://idonotconsentform.com. Download and read the General Instructions PDF (current version labeled something like “080226 FINAL General Instructions”) two or three times.
Do not skip this. The instructions contain critical details about completion, timing, and delivery.
Download and print the form
Download both the Cover Letter and the main IDNCF / Caregivers and Consent document (available as PDF and Word/DOCX).
Print clear copies.
Complete the documents
Fill in all blanks on the Cover Letter to the hospital CEO (leave the signature line blank for now).
On the main form, mark your choices by writing only your initials in the blank line to the left of each item you select. Do not use checkmarks or X’s.
Use the blank sections:
– “I ALSO DO NOT CONSENT TO THE FOLLOWING” for any additional allergies, medications, treatments, or procedures you refuse.
– “I ALSO REQUEST AND CONSENT TO THE FOLLOWING” for specific treatments or care you want.
Do not add end-of-life items (DNR, organ donation, brain-death testing, etc.). Those belong in a separate Advance Directive or Living Will. Adding them here can cause complications.
Notarize both documents.
Sign the Cover Letter and the main IDNCF only in the presence of a notary public. Many banks offer free notary services for customers. Bring valid photo ID.
Make copies and store safely Make at least 10 copies of the fully notarized set.
Keep the originals in a secure place. Save a clear digital scan or photo of the notarized documents on your phone for quick sharing if needed.
Plan ahead for blood products (if relevant)
If you are scheduled for elective surgery and want to refuse blood from vaccinated donors, contact the hospital blood bank weeks in advance about autologous (your own) or directed donations. Organizations such as SafeBlood.com or BlessedByHisBlood.com may be able to help, but lead time is required. Not all hospitals can accommodate this request.
Deliver the form only after you are an active patient.
Critical timing rule:
Deliver the documents only after you have been enrolled as a patient with an active chart and medical record number. When signing the hospital’s general admission consent forms, give them a copy of your IDNCF—never hand over your original notarized set.
Recommended delivery methods for proof of receipt:
At the admissions desk (ER or elective): Hand a copy to the admissions staff. You may discreetly record the handoff on your phone (check your state’s recording laws first) while saying something like: “These are medications and treatments I cannot have. Please add this to my electronic medical record.”
Courier service: Send a copy of the Cover Letter + IDNCF to the hospital CEO (addressed simply to “CEO”) at the facility’s physical address. Same-day or next-day service is useful for emergencies or upcoming surgery.
Certified mail: Send a copy via USPS Express/Priority Mail with Certified Mail + Return Receipt Requested, addressed to the CEO.
Hand additional copies to your attending physician, nurse, and other caregivers as needed.
Keep all receipts, tracking numbers, and return-receipt cards as proof.
Extra Tips for Success
Prepare the form before you need it and keep copies in your emergency bag, car, and at home.
The form specifically addresses common concerns such as vaccines (COVID, flu, pneumococcal, or any vaccination), certain antiviral drugs (e.g., remdesivir), ventilators under certain conditions, and blood products.
You can customize the blank sections for your personal situation.
For help with hospital advocacy, Laura Bartlett runs a free Hospital Hostage Hotline (888-219-3637).
Final Notes
The official site stresses that the IDNCF works because it becomes part of the legal medical record and creates documented notice. When used exactly as directed, users and advocates report that it has helped patients avoid unwanted interventions.
Always verify you are downloading the latest version directly from idonotconsentform.com, as the documents are periodically updated. Read every word of the instructions, follow them precisely, and treat this as one part of a broader informed-consent strategy that also includes clear verbal communication with your care team.
Be prepared, not scared.