Compliance documents for performers (2257)

Adult content platforms are legally required to keep age and identity records for everyone who appears in published content — commonly called 2257 compliance. Uploading these documents is a required step before your site can be approved and go live.

Need the forms?

Blank, downloadable templates for the model release, consent agreement, and pre-/post-shoot questionnaire are here: Sample 2257 forms and paperwork templates.

What you need for each performer

• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• Selfie of performer holding ID
• A signed model release / consent form
• A signed 2257 form

Uploading documents from a scene

You don't have to go performer by performer. Open a scene's documents and you'll see a "Performers in this scene" panel listing everyone attached to it — click a performer to upload or review their documents right there. (Documents uploaded without selecting a performer apply to the scene itself.)

If the panel is empty, add the performers to the scene first.

Accepted file types

Documents can be uploaded as JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, HEIC, or PDF — so photos straight from an iPhone work without converting them first.

How long approval takes

Review timing depends on whether your site is live or still in Demo mode — see How long does 2257 document approval take?.

Document status at a glance

Performers show a status badge so you can see where each one stands:

• Approved — reviewed and accepted; nothing more needed.
• Pending — uploaded and waiting on our review.
• Returned — something needs fixing (unclear photo, missing signature, expired ID). Re-upload the corrected document.
• Verified by Ondato — completed live identity verification.

Performers already verified on Paysite.com

If you add a performer who has already completed identity verification elsewhere on Paysite.com, you'll see "✓ Already verified on Paysite.com." They don't need to repeat identity verification — when you create them, we email a link to e-sign your site's performer agreement to the address on their verified account. Once they sign, they're marked Verified on your site. Nothing else needed from you.

Two ways to get a performer verified

Open the performer under Content → Performers and go to their documents. From there you have two options — you only need one of them:

• Upload the documents — use Upload New Documents to drag and drop (or browse for) the performer's photo ID and signed release. Our team manually reviews and approves the paperwork. The performer does not need to be present for this — you can upload documents you already have on file, any time.
• Verify Performer (live verification) — an optional guided flow where the performer completes an ID scan and selfie check with our secure verification partner. This one does require the performer to be there with a camera, so use it only when they're with you (or can complete it on their own device).

If the performer isn't with you, skip the Verify Performer screen entirely and just upload their documents — manual review covers everything the live check does.

Repeat for everyone appearing in your content. The site setup checklist tracks this as its own step ("Upload Performer Docs"), so you can see at a glance whether you're done.

Why it matters

• It's the law. Records must exist for every performer in published adult content.
• It protects you. Proper records protect you, your performers, and your business.
• It's required for launch. Sites can't be approved until documents are on file for all tagged performers.

Good to know

• Documents are stored securely and are never shown publicly on your site.
• If you add a new performer later, upload their documents before publishing content featuring them.
• Not sure your paperwork is sufficient? Contact support before you submit for approval — we're happy to check.