Published 2026-10-19
This article is general information for adult creators, not legal advice. Laws and their interpretation change, and your situation may differ. For decisions about your own business, speak with a lawyer who works with adult content creators.
What Section 2257 is
Section 2257 of Title 18 of the US Code, together with the regulations at 28 CFR Part 75, requires producers of sexually explicit content to create and keep records that prove every performer was an adult at the time the content was made. The goal is simple and important: no minor ever appears in adult content.
The rules describe who counts as a producer, what records must be kept, how they are indexed and stored, and the statement that must accompany the content to say where the records are held. A related section, 2257A, covers some simulated content.
What a 2257 record usually contains
For each performer in each piece of content, a record typically includes:
- a copy of a current government issued photo ID that shows the date of birth
- the performer's legal name and date of birth
- every stage name, alias or nickname the performer has used
- the date the content was produced
- a copy of the content or a reference that links it to the record
Records must be organized so they can be found by performer name and by title, and they must be kept for a set period. The person who holds them is called the custodian of records.
Model releases and co-performer consent
A 2257 record proves age. It does not prove consent or give you the right to publish someone's image. That is the job of a model release, a signed agreement in which each person in the content agrees that it may be recorded, published and sold, under stated terms.
If you film with anyone else, even a partner, you need their own valid ID and their own signed release for every shoot. Never rely on a verbal agreement, and never let a third party sign on someone's behalf. A good release also records that the co-performer was sober, informed and free to decline, and explains how they can ask for removal later.
How this works on a fan platform
On a fan platform, creators upload their own content, so the creator is usually the one who produces it and is responsible for the records. A responsible platform does not just trust that this has happened. It checks before publishing.
On OnlyThroat, nothing is published until verification is complete:
- government ID check for the creator
- a liveness check that confirms the person matches the ID
- a signed model release and consent form for every co-performer, each with their own verified ID
- 2257 records kept for every person in every clip
- automated pre-screening of every upload, including hash matching against known abuse material lists and classifiers for minors, violence and non-consent
Ambiguous cases are rejected, not waved through. Any material that appears to involve a minor is removed at once, the account is banned and the case is reported to NCMEC. You can read the details on our verification page and our 2257 compliance statement.
A practical checklist for creators
- Keep copies of your own ID and every co-performer's ID, stored securely and offline where possible.
- Use a release form for every shoot, signed and dated by every person in it.
- Log the production date and the titles of every piece of content.
- Keep a list of every stage name you and your co-performers use.
- Never film anyone whose age and identity you have not checked yourself.
- Keep consent ongoing. If a co-performer withdraws, stop publishing that content and ask the platform to remove it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a partner's age because you know them well. Check and copy their ID like anyone else.
- Using an expired ID or a photo of an ID that does not clearly show the date of birth.
- Signing one general release for many shoots without dating each one.
- Uploading content first and planning to sort the paperwork later. On OnlyThroat that simply does not work, because verification comes first.
Your privacy as a creator
Verification data is sensitive. On OnlyThroat it is used for verification and compliance only. Fans never see your legal name or ID, and your public profile shows only the name you choose. Our privacy policy explains how this data is stored and protected.
Learn the business side
The Creator Masterclass covers verification, releases, pricing, scheduling and safety in one course, and the For Creators board is where verified creators compare notes. If you are ready, our creator onboarding walks you through ID, liveness and releases step by step, with no monthly fee and an 80 percent payout.
