One-Party Consent States

One Party Consent Laws

One Party Consent Laws
AlabamaAlabamaYes
AlaskaAlaskaYes
ArizonaArizonaYes
ArkansasArkansasYes
CaliforniaCaliforniaNo
ColoradoColoradoYes
ConnecticutConnecticutYes
DelawareDelawareNo
FloridaFloridaNo
GeorgiaGeorgiaYes
HawaiiHawaiiYes
IdahoIdahoYes
IllinoisIllinoisNo
IndianaIndianaYes
IowaIowaYes
KansasKansasYes
KentuckyKentuckyYes
LouisianaLouisianaYes
MaineMaineYes
MarylandMarylandNo
MassachusettsMassachusettsNo
MichiganMichiganYes
MinnesotaMinnesotaYes
MississippiMississippiYes
MissouriMissouriYes
MontanaMontanaNo
NebraskaNebraskaYes
NevadaNevadaNo
New HampshireNew HampshireNo
New JerseyNew JerseyYes
New MexicoNew MexicoYes
New YorkNew YorkYes
North CarolinaNorth CarolinaYes
North DakotaNorth DakotaYes
OhioOhioYes
OklahomaOklahomaYes
OregonOregonYes
PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaNo
Rhode IslandRhode IslandYes
South CarolinaSouth CarolinaYes
South DakotaSouth DakotaYes
TennesseeTennesseeYes
TexasTexasYes
UtahUtahYes
VermontVermontYes
VirginiaVirginiaYes
WashingtonWashingtonNo
West VirginiaWest VirginiaYes
WisconsinWisconsinYes
WyomingWyomingYes

Navigating One-Party Consent Laws

Navigating the legal constraints around recording conversations in the United States can be a daunting task due to the complexities and diversity of state laws on the matter. These laws often pivot around the principle of consent, classifying states as either “one-party consent” states or “all-party consent” states. In the one-party consent states, only one person involved in the conversation needs to consent or be aware of the recording. However, in the rest, everyone involved must be informed and consent to the recording, otherwise known as “two-party consent.” Many of us might find these laws a tad intimidating or confusing, especially those who frequently engage in sensitive conversations such as journalists, private investigators, or anyone seeking to safeguard their conversations for reference or evidentiary purposes. Yet, understanding these laws is critical to ensuring that our efforts to record conversations fall within the bounds of legality, and don't inadvertently infringe upon privacy laws.

  • The majority of U.S. states – 37 to be exact – along with the District of Columbia, are one-party consent states.
  • States such as Arizona, Alabama, and South Dakota are among the regions that allow one-party consent, making it easier for individuals or entities to record conversations legally in these states.
  • On the other hand, states including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Montana require consent from all parties involved in the conversation prior to recording. This puts these regions under stricter surveillance laws.
  • Interestingly, certain states like Hawaii, Connecticut, and Oregon have mixed laws. For instance, Hawaii requires all parties to be notified if the recorder is located in a private place, making the legality of recording more nuanced in these regions.
  • Conversely, jurisdictions like California, Florida, Illinois, and Washington are stringent about recording conversations and require consent from all parties involved.

By Region

Alabama

See Less
Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Alaska

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Alaska

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Arizona

See More
Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Arkansas

See More
Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

California

See More
California

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Colorado

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Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Connecticut

See More
Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Delaware

See More
Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Florida

See More
Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Georgia

See More
Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Hawaii

See More
Hawaii

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Idaho

See More
Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Illinois

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Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Indiana

See More
Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Iowa

See More
Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Kansas

See More
Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Kentucky

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Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Louisiana

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Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Maine

See More
Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Maryland

See More
Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Michigan

See More
Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Minnesota

See More
Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Mississippi

See More
Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Missouri

See More
Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Montana

See More
Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Nebraska

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Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Nevada

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Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

New Jersey

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New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

New Mexico

See More
New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

New York

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New York

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

North Carolina

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North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

North Dakota

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North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Ohio

See More
Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Oklahoma

See More
Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Oregon

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Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Pennsylvania

See More
Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

Rhode Island

See More
Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

South Carolina

See More
South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

South Dakota

See More
South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Tennessee

See More
Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Texas

See More
Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Utah

See More
Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Vermont

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Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Virginia

See More
Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Washington

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Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

No

West Virginia

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West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes

Wyoming

See More
Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

One Party Consent Laws

Yes