There is a lot of confusion about model releases for photographers.
You only need a model release if the photos are to be used for commercial advertising, e.g. to advertise toothpaste or vacation brochures, go on the cover of a novel or CD or video, (or to sell for stock, for that type of purpose) etc. You usually don’t need a release if your photos are only for your own portfolio, or if the photos are for editorial use. There are many example model releases online. Download a few of the examples and use them for inspiration for writing your own release.
The text of a contract is not covered by copyright, because legally a contract is not a “creative work” but merely listing the terms the parties are agreeing to. However, the layout of a contract document has creative aspects, the font used, the spacing of the fields that are filled out, etc. and these creative aspects are covered by copyright. You can’t just use someone else’s form as is (that would be a copyright violation), but you can use their contract terms without violating copyright to make your own form with your own (creative) layout. (I am not a lawyer, but this is what I was told by a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property law. I suggest you ask your own lawyer for conformation.)
If you title your release Standard Model Release then your models will be less likely to object about signing it – because it’s a “standard” release! If you have a business contract with the person (e.g. they are hiring you to take their photos for portraits or weddings) build the release terms into your Standard Contract.
For a release to be legal (stand up in court), both parties receive a signed copy AND there must be an “exchange of consideration”. Professional models are paid. Non-pro models may be paid a nominal amount ($1 is common, especially when traveling) or you may agree to send them a CD with jpegs from the shoot or a print in exchange for signing the release. Always give consideration (money or a print or CD of image files) because otherwise your release isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on! I highly suggest you get this book: Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images by Bert Krages. It covers model releases and much more.
