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Interview Consent Forms
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Create, fill out, and download free interview consent forms for research, journalism, UX, podcasting, dissertations, IRB compliance, and more. Available instantly in PDF and Word format.

21 Form Types Available

Browse Interview Consent Forms by Type

Select the interview consent form that matches your use case. Every form is free to fill out online and download in PDF or Word format.

Research Interview Consent Forms

For academic, social science, and human-subjects research

Academic Interview Consent Forms

For dissertations, student projects, theses, and AP research

Media & Press Interview Consent Forms

For journalism, podcasts, documentaries, and broadcast media

Online & Remote Interview Consent Forms

For Zoom, Skype, phone, email, video, and UX research interviews

Interview Consent Form Templates & Guides

Templates, samples, simple forms, and step-by-step guides

Download the Standard Interview Consent Form

Free PDF and Word template — fill in online or print and sign. No account required.

Definition & Purpose

What Is an Interview Consent Form?

An interview consent form is a written document signed by a participant before an interview begins. It formally grants the researcher, journalist, or interviewer permission to conduct, record, and use the information gathered during the conversation.

The form ensures that participation is voluntary and informed — meaning the participant understands the purpose of the interview, how their data will be used, and their right to withdraw at any time without penalty.

Interview consent forms are required by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) for academic research, strongly recommended for journalism and media production, and considered best practice for UX research, podcasting, and documentary filmmaking.

A consent form protects both parties: it gives the interviewer documented permission to use the content, and it gives the participant a clear understanding of their rights and the scope of their participation.

Key Elements

What Every Interview Consent Form Must Include

  • Study Title & Purpose
    The name of the project, research question, and institution conducting the interview.
  • Researcher / Interviewer Information
    Full name, role, affiliation, and contact email or phone number.
  • Description of Participation
    What the participant will be asked, estimated duration, and interview format.
  • Recording Consent
    Whether the interview will be audio recorded, video recorded, or transcribed.
  • Confidentiality & Data Use
    How data will be stored, who can access it, whether responses are anonymized, and data retention period.
  • Voluntary Participation Statement
    Confirmation that participation is voluntary and the participant may withdraw at any time without penalty.
  • Participant & Researcher Signature Lines
    Printed name, signature, and date fields for both participant and researcher.
It Takes Under 2 Minutes

Create Your Interview Consent Form in 3 Steps

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Choose Your Form Type

Select from 21 interview consent form types — research, journalism, UX, dissertation, podcast, IRB, and more. Each form is tailored to its use case.

Fill In Your Details Online

Enter your study title, participant name, institution, interview date, and recording preferences. The form preview updates in real time as you type.

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Download your completed interview consent form instantly in PDF or Word (.docx) format. Print, email, or send digitally for signature. Completely free.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Interview Consent Forms

Everything you need to know about interview consent forms — what they are, when they're required, and what to include.

An interview consent form is a legal document signed by a participant before an interview begins. It grants the researcher, journalist, or interviewer permission to conduct, record, and use the information from the conversation. It outlines the study purpose, participant rights, confidentiality provisions, and voluntary participation — protecting both the interviewer and the participant. Learn more on our What Is an Interview Consent Form? page.
For academic and scientific research involving human subjects, most Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) require a signed informed interview consent form before any interview. For journalism, podcasts, documentaries, and UX research, consent forms are strongly recommended best practice and may be legally required depending on your jurisdiction and local recording laws.
Every interview consent form should include: (1) study title and purpose, (2) researcher or interviewer name and institution, (3) description of what participation involves and estimated duration, (4) whether the interview will be audio or video recorded, (5) how data will be stored and protected, (6) confidentiality and anonymity provisions, (7) the participant's right to withdraw at any time without penalty, (8) contact information for questions, and (9) signature lines for both participant and researcher. See our full guide on how to write an interview consent form.
Yes. Every interview consent form on this website is completely free to download in both PDF and Word (.docx) formats. No account or sign-up is required. You can also fill in your details online using the form builder on each page and download the completed form instantly. Browse all interview consent form templates here.
An informed interview consent form is a specific type used primarily in academic and medical research. It must include detailed information about study risks, benefits, procedures, and participant rights as required by IRB standards. A general interview consent form may be simpler and is used in contexts such as journalism, podcasting, UX research, and student projects where full IRB requirements do not apply.
For research purposes, yes — a consent form is required even for telephone or online interviews. For telephone interviews specifically, many IRBs accept a verbal consent script instead of a written signature, though written consent is always preferable. For Zoom, Skype, or other video interviews, a digital or email-based consent form is widely accepted. Download a free online interview consent form here.