Interview release form template
A starter fill-in consent form for journalists, researchers, oral historians, and podcasters: get permission to record and to use the interview, transcript, and quotes before you hit record.
An interview release form settles two things in writing before you start: that the person agrees to be recorded, and what you may do with the recording afterward. That second part matters more than people expect, because the recording is rarely the deliverable. You transcribe it, pull quotes, edit for length, and publish. A release that names those uses up front means you are not going back later to ask permission for something the interviewee never agreed to.
Consent to record is separate from your legal obligations, and those vary by where you are. Most US states follow one-party consent, but a minority require every party to consent, and the rules can differ between phone and in-person conversations and between countries. A signed release documents everyone's agreement, which is good practice regardless. Once the interview is recorded, transcribe it so your quotes match the words that were actually granted, then format the attribution with the how to cite an interview guide.
The template
Interview Release and Consent Form
Parties and project
Interviewer:(full name of the person conducting the interview)
Organization or publication:(outlet, employer, project, or leave blank if independent)
Interviewee:(full name of the person being interviewed)
Project or working title:(what the interview is for, e.g. podcast episode, article, study)
Interview date:
Location or platform:(in person, phone, Zoom, etc.)
Grant of rights
I, the interviewee named above, agree to take part in this interview and give the interviewer and their organization permission to record it. I grant the right to use the recording, and any transcript, excerpt, or quotation drawn from it, in the project named above and in related and promotional materials. I confirm that my statements are my own and given voluntarily, and that I am at least 18 years old (or a parent or guardian is signing on my behalf).
Scope of consent (check only what applies)
I consent to audio recording of this interview.
I consent to video recording of this interview.
I consent to publication of the interview, its transcript, and direct quotes from it.
I agree the interview may be edited for length and clarity, as long as my meaning is not changed.
I may be identified by my real name.
I prefer to be anonymous or identified by a pseudonym: __________________________.
Withdrawal and contact
If I want to review my quotes, withdraw a statement, or ask a question about how this material is used, I can contact the interviewer at: __________________________ (email or phone). Any request to withdraw applies to material not yet published.
This is a starter template, not legal advice. Recording-consent and publicity law varies by jurisdiction: some places require only one party to consent to a recording, while others require every party to consent, and rules can differ for phone versus in-person conversations and from one country to the next. Confirm what applies where your interview takes place, and have a lawyer review this form before you rely on it for anything sensitive or commercial.
Signatures
Interviewee signature and date:Date:
Interviewer signature and date:Date:
How to use it
- 1
Fill in the parties, project, interview date, and location before you meet, so the top of the form is ready to sign.
- 2
Walk through the scope checkboxes together and check only what the interviewee actually agrees to, including whether they are named or anonymous.
- 3
Have the interviewee read the grant-of-rights clause, then both parties sign and date; keep a signed copy for each side stored with the recording.
- 4
After the interview, transcribe the recording with Pepys so your quotes match the exact words that were granted, then edit only within the scope that was checked.
- 5
Format the attribution for any quote you publish using the how to cite an interview guide.
Recorded it? Transcribe it here
Drop in the recording for a speaker-labeled, timestamped draft in minutes. Your first 60 minutes are free, no card.
More templates
- Interview Recording ChecklistA pre-record run-through for gear, room, consent, and levels, so your audio starts clean.
- Podcast Show Notes TemplateA copy-paste outline for episode pages: guest bio, summary, timestamped chapters, quotes, links, and a subscribe CTA.
- Recording Consent Form TemplateA general consent form for recording and transcribing calls, meetings, and research sessions – fill it in, get a signature, keep it on file.
- Focus Group Discussion Guide TemplateA copy-and-fill moderator's guide – consent, ground rules, warm-up, key questions with probes, and wrap-up – built to be recorded and transcribed for analysis.
- Interview transcript templateA ready format for interview transcripts – a header, speaker labels, timestamps, and tags for the messy moments – with a worked sample you can copy.
Frequently asked questions
What is an interview release form?
A short consent document an interviewee signs to give permission to record the interview and to use the recording, transcript, and quotes drawn from it. It names the parties and project, lists the scope of what is allowed (audio, video, publication, editing, attribution), and is signed and dated by both sides.
Do I legally need a signed release to record an interview?
It depends on where you are. Most US states follow one-party consent, but a minority require every party to consent to a recording, and the rules can differ for phone versus in-person conversations and between countries. A signed release documents everyone's agreement regardless, which is good practice. This template is a starter, not legal advice; confirm what applies in your jurisdiction.
What is the difference between one-party and all-party consent?
One-party consent means only one person in the conversation needs to know it is being recorded. All-party (sometimes called two-party) consent means everyone being recorded has to agree first. Which one applies depends on the state or country, and some places treat phone and in-person recordings differently.
Does the release cover using the transcript and quotes, not just the recording?
It should, and this template's grant clause does. Publishing usually means working from a transcript and pulling quotes, so the form grants the right to use the transcript, excerpts, and quotations, not only the raw recording. That way you are not asking for permission again after the interview is done.
Can an interviewee stay anonymous and still sign the form?
Yes. The scope section lets the interviewee choose to be named or to be anonymous or use a pseudonym. Check the option they want and, for a pseudonym, write it in on the form so there is no ambiguity later about how they are attributed.
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