Release of Liability Templates

What Is a Release of Liability Form?

A release of liability form (also known as a liability waiver or liability release form) is a legal document where one party agrees not to hold another legally responsible for injuries, damages, or losses related to a specific activity or event.

To be legally valid, the party waiving their rights must receive something in return—such as money, services, or access to an activity. This exchange, called consideration, is what makes the agreement enforceable.

Many forms also include an assumption of risk clause, where the signing party acknowledges potential dangers and accepts the risks involved.

When to Use a Release of Liability Form

These forms are commonly signed before high-risk situations—such as sports, fitness classes, or volunteer work—to acknowledge the risks and waive the right to sue. They can also be used after an incident, like a car accident or property damage, to formally resolve claims and avoid legal action.

Whether used proactively or reactively, a release of liability helps protect individuals and businesses from future legal claims.

Types of Release of Liability Forms

There’s no one-size-fits-all waiver—every situation carries unique risks. The right liability release form helps protect you from legal issues before or after an incident. Browse our customizable templates below, available for download in PDF or Word format.

Mutual Release

Used when both parties agree to waive all claims against each other, typically to settle a dispute without going to court.

Automobile Accident Release

Used after a car accident when both parties agree not to sue each other for damages.

Waiver for Participation in an Event or Activity

Used by event organizers to have participants waive future claims for injuries that may occur during an event or activity like a sports league.

Photo Release Form

Grants permission to use a person's image and releases liability for how the photo is used.

Media Release Form

Allows the use of a subject's likeness or image in photo, audio, video, or other media content.

Property Release Forms

These forms confirm the payoff of a mortgage and officially release the property from any lender claims.

Deed of Reconveyance

Used when a borrower has fully paid off a mortgage, releasing the lender’s interest in the property.

Satisfaction of Mortgage

Confirms that a property loan has been satisfied and no further obligations remain.

How to Write a Release of Liability Waiver Form

Writing a release of liability waiver form lets you explain the risks involved in an activity and ensure that one party agrees not to hold the other legally responsible for those risks. Whether it’s for a business, event, or personal use, we’ll walk you through the steps to help you create a strong and effective form.

1. Provide Initial Details

List the date of the agreement to set the official start of the waiver’s effectiveness. With a set date, you can ensure that the form only applies to activities that occur after the fact.

2. Give a Claims Description

Clearly describe the activity or event covered by the form and outline the specific claims that the releasor will waive. Be as detailed as possible about the risks involved so both parties understand the scope of the agreement.

For example, consider a releasee hosting a cooking class. They may require the participants (the releasors) to sign a no-liability agreement before taking the class. This form can let the participants acknowledge the risk of minor burns, knife cuts, or allergic reactions to ingredients and release the instructor from liability.

3. Identify the Consideration

A release of liability form must include consideration to be legally binding. This is something of value exchanged between the parties, such as money, services, or access to an event.

Recording the consideration confirms that the releasor is receiving something in return for signing the waiver.

4. Provide the Governing State

Specify the state whose laws will govern the waiver. The enforceability of a release of liability waiver depends on the laws of the jurisdiction, so this step is critical.

For example, a waiver governed by California law will differ from one governed by Texas law because each state has its own rules about liability and negligence.

5. Add Additional Clauses

To strengthen the waiver, include these important clauses:

• No admission of wrongdoing: Clarify that signing the waiver doesn’t mean either party admits to fault.
• Right to attorney: State that both parties have the option to talk with an attorney before signing the agreement to understand its terms.
• Severability clause: Add a clause stating that if one part of the waiver is invalid, the rest of the agreement remains enforceable.

These clauses provide extra legal protection and ensure the waiver is fair and balanced.

6. Obtain Signatures

Finish the form with spaces for both parties to sign and date the signatures.

Sample Release of Liability Form

Below, you can view a sample release of liability form. You can customize this template using our document editor and then download it in PDF or Word format.

Is a Release of Liability Form Enforceable?

Yes, a release of liability form is generally enforceable. If the waiver meets the following, it can typically be upheld:

• It contains proper language based on the particular state’s contract law
• It does not violate public policy or any state laws
• The injury stems from risks clearly outlined in the waiver or from the simple negligence of the disclaiming company

Create Your Liability Waiver in Minutes with Legal Templates

Legal Templates makes creating a release of liability form stress-free with our dynamic document builder. Our release of liability waiver template guides you through each step and ensures that you include all necessary details. With our document builder, you can save time, avoid legal complexities, and feel confident that your release of liability form is properly crafted.

Frequently Asked Questions