# Release of Liability Form

> This fillable release of liability form, also called a liability waiver, lets a participant accept the risks of an activity and give up claims for ordinary negligence. It names the activity, lists its risks, asks for initials beside the key terms, and has a section for a parent or guardian. Filling in any template is free and needs no account: you type your answers in the browser and download the finished PDF. The blank PDF is free to download once, and every blank template is in Pro.

Page: https://pdfinish.com/templates/release-of-liability-form
Last updated: November 4, 2026

## What is in it

A fillable PDF with 31 fields and 2 signature boxes.

## When to use it

- A waiver for a class, workshop, tour, rental or club activity
- A release for guests who use your premises, equipment or vehicles
- A form for children, signed by a parent or legal guardian

## How to fill it in

1. **Open it.** Choose Fill it in free. No account is needed, and the template opens straight in our Fill PDF tool, with no download needed. You can also download the blank PDF once for free and open it in any PDF reader.
2. **Type into the boxes.** Click a box and type, or tick a checkbox. List the real risks of your activity in the risks box, one by one. A specific list is clearer to the signer and easier to defend than a general one. Give the signer time to read it before they sign.
3. **Sign and save.** When you finish, enter your email: the download starts and we send you a link to the finished file. To sign it, open it in Sign PDF, or print it and sign by hand. Your file stays on your device unless you ask us to email it.

## What the law says in a few places

Waiver rules are set by each state, and a court may refuse to enforce a waiver that is unclear or goes too far. In some states a court may also refuse to enforce a parent's release of a child's claims. These notes are examples from official texts, not a list of every state. They are general information, not legal advice.

- Louisiana's Civil Code says any clause is null that, in advance, limits one party's liability for causing physical injury to the other, or for intentional or gross fault. Source: [Louisiana State Legislature, Civil Code article 2004](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109260), read October 30, 2026.
- Montana's law says contracts that exempt a person from responsibility for their own fraud, for willful injury to another, or for violation of law are against public policy. Source: [Montana Code Annotated 28-2-702](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0280/chapter_0020/part_0070/section_0020/0280-0020-0070-0020.html), read October 30, 2026.
- Montana also allows a written release of ordinary negligence for a sport or recreational opportunity if it states the known inherent risks and carries a set statement in bold type about giving up the right to a jury trial. This form does not contain that statement, so a Montana recreation business needs a version from a lawyer. Source: [Montana Code Annotated 27-1-753](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0270/chapter_0010/part_0070/section_0530/0270-0010-0070-0530.html), read October 30, 2026.
- Florida lets a parent release a child's claim against a commercial activity provider for the inherent risks of the activity, but only if the form includes a required notice to the parent in large uppercase type. This form does not contain that notice. Source: [Florida Statutes 744.301(3)](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0744/Sections/0744.301.html), read October 30, 2026.

## Common questions

### What is a release of liability?

A release of liability is a signed agreement in which a person gives up the right to sue an organizer or business for injuries from an activity. It is also called a liability waiver. It usually names the activity, lists its risks, and states clearly that the signer accepts them. It has limits, and rules differ by state.

### What is the difference between a waiver and a hold harmless agreement?

A waiver, or release, is a promise not to sue for ordinary negligence. A hold harmless agreement goes further: the signer also agrees to cover the other side's costs if someone else makes a claim. Waivers suit participants and guests. Hold harmless agreements suit contractors, renters and vendors. This site has a template for each.

### Can a parent sign a waiver for a child?

Often a parent or legal guardian signs for a child, because a child cannot sign a binding contract alone. But rules differ: some states do not enforce a parent's release of a child's claims, and others allow it only in limited cases. The guardian section records who signed and for which child. Ask a lawyer about your state.

### Are liability waivers enforceable?

Sometimes. In general, a court looks at whether the waiver is clear, whether the risks were explained, and whether state law allows it. Waivers almost never cover gross negligence, recklessness or intentional harm. A few states restrict them further. See the notes above for examples, and ask a lawyer about your own state.

### What should a liability waiver include?

A good waiver names the participant, the activity, the place and the date. It lists the risks in plain words, says the signer releases claims for negligence in bold or boxed type, and leaves out gross negligence and intentional harm. Add initials beside key terms, a date, a signature and, for minors, a guardian section.

### Is this template free?

Filling it in is free, and you do not need an account. You type your answers in your browser and download the finished PDF. The blank PDF is free to download once; after that, Pro, Lifetime and Team unlock every blank template.

### What if I only want the blank PDF?

One blank download is free for each visitor. After that, Pro gives you every blank template, plus unlimited uses. You can still fill any template in free.

### Does PDFinish see what I type?

Not while you fill it in. The template opens and fills in your browser. If you ask us to email the finished file, it goes through our server, stays encrypted for 7 days so the link works, and is then deleted.

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- [Fill PDF](https://pdfinish.com/fill-pdf): Fill a PDF form, with or without fillable fields: type, tick, sign and date.
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- [Merge PDF](https://pdfinish.com/merge-pdf): Combine several PDFs into one file, in the order you choose.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check your local rules or ask a professional.
