Free 2257 compliance statement and custodian of records template

Every depiction of sexually explicit content produced in the United States needs a statement that points to where the 2257 records are kept and who the custodian of records is. Most websites put it on a page linked from the footer of every page.

This template gives you three versions: one for primary producers, one for sites with content from several producers, and one for exempt sites. A short checklist helps you confirm the details before you publish.

How to fill this out

Pick your version

Use Version 1 if you produced the content, Version 2 if several producers did, or Version 3 if your site is exempt.

Name the custodian

Fill in the custodian's name and a street address where the records are actually kept. No P.O. box.

List the hours

State the days and hours the records are available for inspection.

Run the checklist

Work through the pre-publish checklist and fix anything that does not match your records.

Publish and link it

Post the statement on its own page and link it from the footer of every page with explicit content.

Full template (free to read)

18 U.S.C. 2257 Custodian of Records Statement

Free template. Not legal advice. This document is a starting point only. Laws differ by state and country, and platform and payment processor rules change often. Have a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction review it before you use it. Using this template does not create an attorney-client relationship with anyone. Released under CC0 1.0 (public domain): copy, change and share it freely, no credit needed.

How to use this template: Producers post this statement on their website (usually a page linked from the footer of every page) or with each piece of content, so the location of the age and identity records is clear. Pick the version that fits you, replace every item in [BRACKETS], and delete the version you do not use. Use a street address. A P.O. box is not allowed.

Version 1: Primary producer (you recorded the content)

18 U.S.C. 2257 Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance Statement

All models, actors, actresses and other persons who appear in any visual depiction of actual or simulated sexually explicit conduct appearing on or otherwise contained in [WEBSITE OR PAGE NAME] were over the age of eighteen years at the time the depictions were created.

The records required by 18 U.S.C. 2257 and 28 C.F.R. Part 75 for all such content produced by [PRODUCER LEGAL NAME] are kept by the following Custodian of Records:

[CUSTODIAN NAME] [PRODUCER LEGAL NAME] [CUSTODIAN ADDRESS] [CUSTODIAN CITY, STATE OR REGION, POSTAL CODE] [CUSTODIAN COUNTRY]

Records are available for inspection during these hours: [DAYS AND HOURS, AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK].

Date of production for each depiction: [SEE THE DATE SHOWN WITH EACH VIDEO / LISTED BELOW]

Version 2: Content with more than one producer

Some depictions on [WEBSITE OR PAGE NAME] were produced by others. For each depiction, the records required by 18 U.S.C. 2257 are kept by the producer named with that content, at the custodian address shown with it:

Title or ID	Date of production	Producer	Custodian name and street address
[TITLE OR PRODUCTION ID]	[DATE OF PRODUCTION]	[PRODUCER LEGAL NAME]	[CUSTODIAN NAME], [CUSTODIAN ADDRESS]

Version 3: Exempt content (no sexually explicit content)

All visual depictions on [WEBSITE OR PAGE NAME] are exempt from the record-keeping requirements of 18 U.S.C. 2257 and 28 C.F.R. Part 75 because they do not depict actual or simulated sexually explicit conduct as defined by law. [OPTIONAL: ALL PERSONS SHOWN WERE 18 OR OLDER WHEN THE DEPICTIONS WERE CREATED.]

Checklist before you publish this statement

Check	Done
Custodian is a named person, with a street address (no P.O. box)	[ ]
Hours of availability are listed	[ ]
Statement is linked from every page with explicit content, or attached to each depiction	[ ]
Date of production is shown or traceable for each depiction	[ ]
Records at that address are complete for every performer in every depiction	[ ]
Address matches the address in your contracts and business filings	[ ]

Frequently asked questions

What is a custodian of records?

The person responsible for keeping the 2257 records and making them available for inspection at a named street address during set hours.

Can I use a P.O. box for the 2257 address?

No. The regulations require a street address where the records are actually kept.

Where should the 2257 statement go on a website?

Usually on a dedicated page linked from the footer of every page that shows explicit content, or attached to each depiction.

Does a safe-for-work site need a 2257 statement?

A site with no actual or simulated sexually explicit content is generally exempt, though some sites still post an exemption statement. Version 3 of the template covers that case.

Free 2257 compliance statement and custodian of records template

Download the template