Free Activity Release of Liability

If a minor is injured or becomes ill during the activities, it may be necessary for the released party to arrange for medical assistance for the minor. Most states require parental consent in such circumstances before treating a minor child. The release offers an optional provision to provide the necessary consent. This document will provide a beginning and ending date for such authority, which could also be revoked in writing by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child at any time.

It is important to provide the name and current phone numbers of a responsible person who can be contacted in case of an emergency. The name supplied should be that of a person who is not participating in the event, perhaps a parent (for minors), spouse or other adult family member.

If the person participating in the activity is considered an adult under the applicable state law (typically at least 18 years of age or an "emancipated" minor), then that person can sign his or her own Activity Release of Liability. However, an Activity Release of Liability signed by a minor child is not legally binding in most circumstances and thus having only a minor child sign the Activity Release of Liability is strongly discouraged. Therefore, a parent or legal guardian must sign the Activity Release on behalf of a minor. Each adult participating in the activity should sign his or her own release. For example, if a married couple is participating in an activity together, each should sign his or her own release.

In many circumstances it may be appropriate for the operator of an activity to prepare several generic releases which can then be completed by the participant at the location of the activity. For example, an operator could create a pad of releases to be filled out and signed by hopeful participants in the field before allowing the participant to begin using a rental bike. Care should be taken in these circumstances to confirm that all information is correctly listed at the time the release is filled out.

1. The Activity Release of Liability should be signed by the adult participant or by the parent or guardian of a minor, but it is not necessary that the signature be witnessed or notarized.

2. The released party should keep the original copy of the Activity Release of Liability document, and the person signing the document should be given a copy.