Release of Liability (Activity Waiver)
For businesses, clubs and individuals offering an activity with physical risk, such as fitness classes, climbing, sports, tours or equipment rental, who want participants to acknowledge risks and release ordinary negligence claims.
- Fields
- 21
- Pages
- 3
- Paper
- Letter
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Before you start
What you need to fill it in
- Your organization's legal name
- A specific description of the activity and its main risks
- Participant's name, date of birth and emergency contact
- Parent or guardian signature for participants under 18
- Activity dates or whether the waiver covers ongoing participation
What's inside
21 fields, ready to fill
- 13Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
- 3Dateschecked as real dates
- 1Choicescheckboxes, options, dropdowns
- 4Signaturessignature and initials
11 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.
Instructions
How to fill out the Release of Liability (Activity Waiver)
- 1
Describe the activity and risks
Name the activity and list its real risks plainly, such as falls, collisions, equipment failure and weather. Specific risks make the waiver more likely to hold up.
- 2
Participant details
Participant enters name, date of birth, contact and an emergency contact.
- 3
Medical information
Note conditions staff should know about, and authorize emergency care.
- 4
Read and initial
Participants initial the assumption of risk and release paragraphs to show they read them.
- 5
Sign
Adults sign for themselves. For a minor, a parent or guardian signs and the minor may also sign.
Fill it online
What filling it looks like
- Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
- Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
- The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field
Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.
Written for: General (US)
This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and country; have a qualified professional review it for your situation.
Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
Release of Liability (Activity Waiver): questions people ask
Are liability waivers enforceable?
It depends heavily on the state. Many states enforce clear waivers for ordinary negligence; a few, such as Louisiana and Virginia, largely refuse to. No state enforces waivers for gross negligence, recklessness or intentional harm.
Can a parent waive a child's claims?
States are split. Some enforce parental waivers for recreational activities, others do not. Even where not enforceable, the form still documents informed consent and medical authorization.
Do waivers need witnesses or notarization?
Generally not. Conspicuous wording, a fair description of the risks and a clear signature matter more.
Are electronically signed waivers valid?
Courts generally accept e-signed waivers under the ESIGN Act and UETA, provided you can show who signed and when. Keep the signing record.
Does a waiver replace insurance?
No. A waiver may reduce claims but does not stop lawsuits or cover gross negligence. Keep appropriate liability insurance.
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