Almost half of all adults in the north are now on the organ donor register.
Health minister Simon Hamilton yesterday welcomed the launch of a new NHS organ donor register for the whole UK, which now offers more choices including the option not to be an organ donor.
The register has been in operation for more than 20 years and more than 619,000 people in Northern Ireland have signed up, including 42 per cent of the adult population.
The changes do not affect the donation process in Northern Ireland.
"Even if you are a registered donor, after your death your family will be asked if they agree to organ donation and any decision they make will be respected," Mr Hamilton said.
"There have been great improvements in organ donation in Northern Ireland in recent years, and the numbers of donors and transplants have risen dramatically in a short period of time.
"Every year, around 15 people in Northern Ireland die waiting for an organ transplant and currently only one third of the population here is on the organ donation register. By signing the register and talking to your family about your wishes you could help save the lives of up to seven people."
Anyone over the age of 14 can register in Northern Ireland, yet registrations account for only 34 per cent of the total population.
The new register will hold all the existing registrations from the previous version, so people will not need to sign up again.
