What information is required on a model release?

First and foremost, all info entered on a model release must be factual. A release is a legal agreement, and any incorrect information may affect the legality (and your protection from your model).

You may use Stocksy's blank model release or a model release of your choosing.

Required information for every model release

• Full legal names (first and last) for:
  • Photographer
  • Model AND a parent or guardian (if the model is under 18)
• Signatures of:
  • Photographer
  • Model OR a parent or guardian (if the model is under 18)
• Date signed for the model, photographer, and witness (if used)
  • Must be the date you signed the release
  • The date signed does not need to match the shoot date or any Exif data
  • The photographer and model can sign on different dates
  • Model and witness (if used) must sign on the same date 
• Complete contact information for the model OR a parent or guardian (if the model is under 18):
  • Address
  • Email
  • Phone number 
  • All three are required (What to do if a model doesn't have some or all contact info)
• Full birth date for the model (month, day, and year)
• Shoot date(s):
  • Shoot date(s) on the release need to match the camera Exif shoot date (What if my Exif shoot date doesn't match the model release?)
  • If your model release form has start and end date fields, you must fill out both (write the same date in both areas if the shoot is all in one day)
  • Shoot dates can be a range of time up to but no more than one year
    • You must include the start and end dates of the year-long period; writing "year release" is not sufficient
  • Releases for self-portraits can omit the shoot date(s) as long as you indicate "self-portrait" on the release 
• Shoot description (required for nude/explicit content)
  • Any nudity must be mentioned in the shoot description

Optional but strongly recommended

• Shoot location
• Shoot description (optional if the content is not nude/explicit)
  • When used, the description must match the content (i.e. if your description says "business" but the content shows someone at the beach, the release will not be accepted)
• Visual reference
  • We suggest a photo of the model holding the signed release
• Ethnicity and gender
  • Used for search facets
  • Must be accurate
• Witness name and signature
  • The witness must be a 3rd party