Legal

Consent laws

This page offers a plain-language starting point for U.S. recording-consent rules. It is educational only and should not replace advice from a qualified attorney who knows your jurisdiction.

Two-party states usually require all participants to know about and agree to the recording. One-party states may allow a participant to consent on their own, but local facts and exceptions still matter.

Alabama

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Alaska

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Arizona

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Arkansas

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

California

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Colorado

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Connecticut

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Delaware

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Florida

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Georgia

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Hawaii

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Idaho

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Illinois

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Indiana

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Iowa

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Kansas

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Kentucky

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Louisiana

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Maine

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Maryland

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Massachusetts

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Michigan

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Minnesota

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Mississippi

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Missouri

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Montana

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Nebraska

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Nevada

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

New Hampshire

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

New Jersey

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

New Mexico

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

New York

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

North Carolina

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

North Dakota

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Ohio

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Oklahoma

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Oregon

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Pennsylvania

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

Rhode Island

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

South Carolina

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

South Dakota

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Tennessee

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Texas

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Utah

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Vermont

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Virginia

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Washington

All parties

This state generally requires everyone involved in the conversation to know about and consent to the recording.

Pause here if anyone involved may not have known they were being recorded. Make sure every participant was aware and agreed before continuing.

West Virginia

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Wisconsin

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

Wyoming

One party

This state generally allows recording when one participant in the conversation consents.

Even where one-party consent may apply, transparency is often the safest path. If you are unsure how the law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.