The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the UAB Health System and its entities require authorization and release forms when subjects are photographed or recorded in an individual or small-group setting to be used for the purpose of media, marketing, development, and/or customer service.

You will need a release form when:

• The person is the subject of the photo, video or audio recording and is identifiable
• People in small groups who can be individually identified (i.e. in classrooms or academic buildings, on the Green, in/around residence halls, in patient clinical areas, in the Hill Student Center or Campus Recreation Center)
• The person has been asked to appear in or model for a photo or video for communications or marketing purposes, including social media
• The person is under 18 (see below)

You do not need a release form for photographs, videos or other media containing a student’s image or likeness when taken:

• at a university event that is open to the general public (e.g. athletic game or competition, parade, commencement);
• at an event that is open to all students (e.g. student life event);
• at an event sponsored by a student organization recognized by the university (e.g. residence hall event, student club activity);
• during an academic activity (e.g. class; lab; honors and awards ceremony); or
• in the University Relations photography studio (e.g. “head shot”, photograph taken in the study to use in a press release or university publication).

Using the Digital Forms—Non-Health Care Only

Our updated digital release form makes it much easier for employees, students and visitors to grant permission for photography, videography or audio recording, as long as they are not being identified as a patient.

Employees and Students

After logging into the form, users should select whether they are a student or employee. If they are, they should log in with their BlazerID and password to review the release and accept the terms. The digital releases will then be added to our records. Employee permissions are permanent for as long as the individual is employed by UAB. Student permissions will remain active for one year.

If a student or employee can’t remember if they’ve signed the form, they can simply log in and if they have, they will receive an immediate automatic response that we have a signed release form on record.

Students who are under 18 should indicate their age on the form when prompted and should provide parent/guardian permission for their voice and image use.

Communicators can also email forms ahead of time to employees and students if you know there will be photography taking place in a building or classroom. Anyone who may be captured via photo, video or audio can sign the form in advance of the event.

Visitors

After logging into the form, visitors should answer no when prompted if they are a student or employee. They will then be asked to provide their name and contact information before reviewing the form and granting permission. UAB does not keep visitor forms on file.

Health Care

If a person is identifiable as a UAB patient, please have the patient fill out and sign the “Patient Authorization to Use/Disclose Information” form. This form is HIPAA-compliant.