This guide is general information, not legal advice
The law, its regulations at 28 C.F.R. Part 75 and the court decisions around them are detailed and change over time. This page explains the main ideas so you can ask better questions. If you produce adult content, talk to a lawyer who knows this area about your specific situation.
What the law requires, in one paragraph
Section 2257 of Title 18 of the US Code says that anyone who produces visual depictions of actual sexually explicit conduct must verify the identity and age of every performer from an identification document, record certain information about them, keep those records available at a stated location and attach a statement to the content saying where the records are held. The goal is simple: prove that every person on camera was an adult when the content was made. A companion section, 2257A, covers simulated conduct.
Who counts as a producer
The regulations split producers into two groups:
- Primary producers film, photograph or otherwise create the content. A solo creator filming herself is a primary producer of her own content.
- Secondary producers publish, reproduce or manage content made by others, which can include websites and platforms that host it.
Both groups carry record keeping duties, which is why a serious adult platform collects documents from creators and from everyone else who appears on camera.
The 2257 record keeping requirements
In plain English, the core 2257 record keeping requirements are these.
| Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Check an ID for every performer | A current government photo ID, examined before production |
| Record identity details | Legal name, date of birth and every stage name or alias used |
| Keep a copy of the ID | A legible copy stored with the record |
| Link records to content | Each record tied to the specific depiction or its web address |
| Organize and index | Records sorted so any performer or depiction can be found |
| Keep records for years | The regulations set a multi year retention period, also after a business closes |
| Name a custodian of records | A person responsible for the records, at a stated location |
| Label the content | A statement on or with the content saying where the records are kept |
The penalties for failing to comply are criminal, which is why "2257 compliance" appears in the terms of most adult platforms.
Co-performers need their own records
If anyone else appears in your content, they need their own complete record: their own ID check, their own legal name and aliases, their own ID copy and their own link to every release they appear in. A partner who appears regularly still needs to be on file for each piece of content. A signed consent for each release is not part of the federal statute itself, but it is good practice and many platforms require it, because content shared without consent is a separate legal and safety problem. For the platform side of identity checks, see OnlyFans ID verification and OnlyFans verification.
How USC 2257 affects platforms and creators
Platforms that host explicit content have their own duties, and they cannot meet them unless creators and co-performers provide documents. That is why platforms ask for an ID and a live selfie, why they ask everyone on camera to verify and why they publish a records statement. Age verification for viewers is a separate topic covered in age verification for adult sites.
How OnlyEighteen keeps 2257 records for creators
OnlyEighteen builds the records into the upload flow, so compliance is not a folder you forget about.
- You pass a government ID and live selfie check before anything is public
- Every co-performer gets an invite link, passes their own ID and live selfie check and signs a consent for each release
- The platform keeps the records as 18 U.S.C. 2257 records and equivalents elsewhere, linked to each post
- Studio adds consent templates, a release library per post and reminders before documents expire
- Agency adds a dashboard showing which creators are verified, which documents expire and which posts lack a release
IDs are used for verification and the records the law requires and are never shown to fans. Read our 2257 records statement and the safety rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is 18 USC 2257?
It is a US federal law requiring producers of sexually explicit content to verify that every performer is at least 18 and to keep records proving it.
Does 2257 apply to independent creators?
Yes, a creator who films her own content is generally a primary producer of it. Talk to a lawyer about your specific situation.
What are the 2257 record keeping requirements?
An ID check for every performer, a record of legal name, date of birth and aliases, a copy of the ID, records linked to each depiction, an index and a statement saying where records are kept.
Do co-performers need their own records?
Yes, every person who appears in explicit content needs their own complete record tied to each release.
Is this page legal advice?
No, it is general information. Consult a lawyer who knows US adult industry law before relying on it.
How does OnlyEighteen help with 2257 compliance?
Creators and every co-performer pass ID and live selfie checks, co-performers sign a consent per release and the platform keeps the records linked to each post.
Start with records handled from the first post
Preview your verified page and see how co-performer invites work.