A sperm donor known as Robert Albon, who claims to have fathered 180 children worldwide, will not be listed on the birth certificate of one of his biological children. The child’s mother and her partner have stated that they did not want Albon to be involved in the child’s life.
Background of the Case
Albon, who operates under the name “Joe Donor” and advertises his services on social media platforms, made a declaration of parentage application to the Family Court after discovering that the couple he donated sperm to had named the mother’s partner as the father on the birth certificate. The court’s top judge, Sir Andrew McFarlane, dismissed Albon’s application, describing the circumstances as “extreme.”
It is acknowledged that Albon, who is in his 50s and originally from the United States, is the biological father of the child. The mother was in a lesbian relationship at the time of conception and was not married. The couple compensated Albon with £100 in cash and a £150 Amazon gift card for the sperm donation, which was conducted through artificial insemination.
Legal Proceedings and Court Findings
By the time the child was born, the mother’s partner had begun identifying as a trans man and was registered on the birth certificate as the father. The couple has indicated that they plan to explain the child’s origins in an age-appropriate manner, but they do not wish for Albon to have any role in the child’s life.
In court, Albon expressed concerns about not knowing the identity of his birth parents, which he believes has negatively impacted his sense of self. He stated that he wanted to prevent similar issues for his biological child, although he clarified that he was not seeking parental responsibilities or to spend time with the child. However, Sir Andrew noted that there was a likelihood Albon might attempt to assert himself as an active parent, driven by his own interests rather than consideration for the mother.
The court’s judgment highlighted the considerable anxiety experienced by the child’s mother, describing her situation as “vulnerable.” Sir Andrew ultimately dismissed Albon’s application, stating that granting it would be contrary to public policy.
Previous Legal Context
This ruling marks the third judgment from the Family Courts regarding Albon’s attempts to establish legal parentage over children conceived through his sperm donations. In a previous case, a judgment published in February 2025 denied his request to be named on another child’s birth certificate, emphasizing the need to protect women from the potential consequences of unregulated sperm donation.
Albon’s methods of sperm donation are unregulated, lacking the health checks and legal safeguards present in licensed clinics. UK regulations stipulate that sperm from a single donor can only be used to create a maximum of 10 families in licensed settings. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority advises against using donor sperm from unregulated sources, citing serious risks for all parties involved.
Source: Original report