Paperwork, ID & 2257 Compliance
Model releases, W-9s, consent checklists, and the federal age verification law. Line by line, what you sign and why.
Use your legal name
Every legal document gets your real name. Your stage name goes in the “performer name” or “alias” field. Don’t mix these up - it causes problems.
Write clearly
Print your letters. Use blue or black ink only. No pencil, no colored pens. This isn’t a style choice - legal documents require it.
Read before you sign
Every page. Yes, it takes a minute. You’re signing a legal contract - know what it says. If something doesn’t match what you agreed to, stop and ask.
Keep a copy
Photograph every page with your phone. If the studio won’t let you keep a copy, that’s a red flag. You should always have your own records of what you signed.
What you’ll sign
- 2257 age verification
- Model release
- Consent checklist (acts you agreed to)
- W-9 or equivalent tax form
- Payment acknowledgment
Want to see how a professional set actually runs? Start the conversation - we'll tell you exactly what to expect.
What’s required
A valid, government-issued photo ID that proves you’re 18 or older. This is federal law (18 U.S.C. 2257). The studio photographs your ID and keeps it on file. No ID = no shoot.
What works
- Passport - the gold standard. One document, proves identity and age
- Driver’s license + birth certificate - if you don’t have a passport, bring both
- State ID + birth certificate - same idea
Get a passport
If you don’t have one, get one. It simplifies everything. You’ll also need it for some travel bookings. It’s the easiest way to handle ID requirements in one shot.
Don’t forget it
Seriously. Showing up without ID means the shoot doesn’t happen. You still traveled, everyone is still there, but legally they can’t roll cameras. Keep your ID in a dedicated spot so you never leave without it.
Want to see how a professional set actually runs? Start the conversation - we'll tell you exactly what to expect.
What 2257 is
Title 18, Section 2257 of the U.S. Code. It says every producer of adult content has to check your ID and keep a record proving you’re 18 or older. That’s it. It’s an age verification law.
What it means for you
On a legit set, you’ll show your government ID before anything happens. They photocopy it or scan it. That’s the 2257 check. It takes two minutes.
If a production doesn’t ask for your ID, that’s a big problem. It means they’re either operating outside federal law or don’t care about the basics.
What they keep on file
- A copy of your government photo ID
- Your legal name (not published — just on file)
- Your stage name
- The date the content was produced
This is a legal requirement. They’re not collecting info for fun — they have to prove to the feds that everyone in the content is of age.
The quick check
No ID check = not legit. That’s the simplest test. It doesn’t mean a production with 2257 is automatically great, but a production without it is definitely not operating legally.
More on what a real shoot looks like in How Your First Scene Works. For contract red flags, Red Flags in Your First Contract.