Model Release Form Make it Legal Checklist

Read the document to make sure it meets your needs and that you’ve provided all of the necessary information about the intended use of the material. Remember that, if you have any questions, you can Ask a lawyer for advice.

If the relevant material is a photograph, it’s a good idea to include a copy of the photograph in your Form by inserting it into or attaching it to Schedule 1 of the Form.

If you are the individual whose image is being used, send your Form to the business after you have signed it.

If you are the business seeking permission to use someone’s image, send your Form unsigned to the individual so that they can sign it.

The individual whose image is being used must sign the Form. If the person whose image is being used is under 18 years old, their parent or legal guardian should sign the Form. 

You can sign your Model Release Form by either:

• signing online using RocketSign, or

• signing in print

The business should securely store the signed Model Release Form. 

A copy of your Model Release Form will also be stored automatically in your Rocket Lawyer account ‘Dashboard’.

Both parties should keep copies of the Form and proof of any instances that they sent the Form. For example: 

• if you posted or hand delivered the Form, keep a copy of the Form that was sent, copies of anything included with it, and any proof of postage

• if you emailed the Form, keep a copy of the email, the Form that was sent,  copies of any other attachments, and any ‘read receipts’

If the relevant material (eg the photograph) contains the images of multiple people in a small group, the business should make sure to obtain permission to use their image from everyone who is featured in the relevant material.

If a larger group is featured, it is usually enough to verbally ask for permission to share people’s images to demonstrate compliance with data protection laws. Anybody in the large group who does not wish to appear in materials will have the opportunity to opt-out.