One Party Consent States 2023 - Wisevoter (2024)

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Introduction

In the United States, one party consent laws regarding recording conversations vary from state to state. One party consent laws mean that only one person involved in a conversation needs to give consent for the recording to be legal. Several states have adopted one party consent laws. The one party consent states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

A majority of the states included have adopted one party consent laws. Only a few states, such as California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington, have not adopted such laws, making it illegal to record a conversation without the consent of all parties involved in those states. It is important to note that the absence of one party consent laws in certain states does not necessarily mean that recording conversations is completely prohibited. Other laws and regulations may govern the recording of conversations in those states.

Recording Consent by State

StateOne Party Consent Laws
CaliforniaNo
DelawareNo
FloridaNo
IllinoisNo
MarylandNo
MassachusettsNo
MontanaNo
NevadaNo
New HampshireNo
PennsylvaniaNo
WashingtonNo
AlabamaYes
AlaskaYes
ArizonaYes
ArkansasYes
ColoradoYes
ConnecticutYes
District of ColumbiaYes
GeorgiaYes
HawaiiYes
IdahoYes
IndianaYes
IowaYes
KansasYes
KentuckyYes
LouisianaYes
MaineYes
MichiganYes
MinnesotaYes
MississippiYes
MissouriYes
NebraskaYes
New JerseyYes
New MexicoYes
New YorkYes
North CarolinaYes
North DakotaYes
OhioYes
OklahomaYes
OregonYes
Rhode IslandYes
South CarolinaYes
South DakotaYes
TennesseeYes
TexasYes
UtahYes
VermontYes
VirginiaYes
West VirginiaYes
WisconsinYes
WyomingYes

Single Party Consent States

The one party consent states (or single party consent states) are states that have adopted one party consent laws, where only one person involved in a conversation needs to give consent for the recording to be legal. In these states, individuals are allowed to record conversations without the knowledge or consent of the other party or parties involved. This can have various implications, such as enabling individuals to gather evidence for legal purposes, document important conversations, or protect themselves in certain situations. It is worth noting that even in one party consent states, there are limitations on the use and dissemination of recorded conversations.

The single party consent states are:

1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. Colorado
6. Connecticut
7. District of Columbia
8. Georgia
9. Hawaii
10. Idaho
11. Indiana
12. Iowa
13. Kansas
14. Kentucky
15. Louisiana
16. Maine
17. Michigan
18. Minnesota
19. Mississippi
20. Missouri
21. Nebraska
22. New Jersey
23. New Mexico
24. New York
25. North Carolina
26. North Dakota
27. Ohio
28. Oklahoma
29. Oregon
30. Rhode Island
31. South Carolina
32. South Dakota
33. Tennessee
34. Texas
35. Utah
36. Vermont
37. Virginia
38. West Virginia
39. Wisconsin
40. Wyoming

Two-Party Consent States

In the United States, two-party consent laws (or all-party consent) regarding recording conversations require the consent of all parties involved in the conversation for the recording to be legal. Several states have adopted two-party consent laws. These states include California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington. In these states, it is generally illegal to record a conversation without the consent of all parties involved.

The all-party consent states are:

1. California
2. Delaware
3. Florida
4. Illinois
5. Maryland
6. Massachusetts
7. Montana
8. Nevada
9. New Hampshire
10. Pennsylvania
11. Washington

One Party Recording States

Alabama

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Alabama is a one party consent state.

Alaska

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Alaska is a one party consent state.

Arizona

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Arizona is a one party consent state.

Arkansas

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Arkansas is a one party consent state.

California

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

California is not a one party consent state, all parties must consent to the recording.

Colorado

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Colorado is a one party consent state.

Connecticut

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Connecticut is a one party consent state for in-person conversations or phone calls recorded by a participant of the conversation only.

Delaware

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Delaware is not a one party consent state, all parties must consent to recording a conversation.

District of Columbia

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

District of Columbia is a one party consent state.

Florida

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Florida is not a one party consent state, all parties must consent to the recording.

Georgia

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Georgia is a one party consent state.

Hawaii

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Hawaii is a one party consent state but requires two-party consent if the recording device is installed in a private place.

Illinois

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Illinois is not a one party consent state for parties to electronic conversations or to record law enforcement officers in public.

Indiana

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Indiana is a one party consent state.

Iowa

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Iowa is a one party consent state.

Kansas

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Kansas is a one party consent state.

Kentucky

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Kentucky is a one party consent state.

Louisiana

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Louisiana is a one party consent state.

Maine

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Maine is a one party consent state.

Maryland

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Maryland is not a one party consent state, all parties must consent to recording a conversation.

Massachusetts

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Massachusetts is not a one party consent state, all parties must consent to the recording.

Michigan

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Michigan is a one party consent state if the recording party is a participant in the conversation.

Minnesota

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Minnesota is a one party consent state.

Mississippi

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Mississippi is a one party consent state.

Missouri

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Missouri is a one party consent state.

Montana

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Montana is not a one party consent state, but requires notification only.

Nebraska

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Nebraska is a one party consent state.

Nevada

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Nevada is not a one party consent state.

New Hampshire

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

New Hampshire is not a one party consent state, all parties must consent to recording a conversation.

New Jersey

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

New Jersey is a one party consent state.

New Mexico

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

New Mexico is a one party consent state.

New York

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

New York is a one party consent state.

North Carolina

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

North Carolina is a one party consent state.

North Dakota

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

North Dakota is a one party consent state.

Ohio

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Ohio is a one party consent state.

Oklahoma

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Oklahoma is a one party consent state.

Oregon

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Oregon is a one party consent state for electronic communications, but two party consent for in-person conversations.

Pennsylvania

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Pennsylvania is not a one party consent state, it is a two-party consent state.

Rhode Island

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Rhode Island is a one party consent state.

South Carolina

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

South Carolina is a one party consent state.

South Dakota

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

South Dakota is a one party consent state if the recording party is a participant in the conversation or has the consent of one participant.

Tennessee

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Tennessee is a one party consent state.

Texas

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Texas is a one party consent state.

Utah

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Utah is a one party consent state.

Vermont

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Vermont is a one party consent state.

Virginia

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Virginia is a one party consent state.

Washington

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One Party Consent Laws

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No

Washington is not a one party consent state, it is a two-party consent state.

West Virginia

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

West Virginia is a one party consent state.

Wisconsin

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Wisconsin is a one party consent state, but two party consent is required to be used in court.

Wyoming

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One Party Consent Laws

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Yes

Wyoming is a one party consent state.

FAQs

Is Texas a one party recording state ?

Yes, Texas is a one party recording state.

What does one party consent mean ?

One party consent means that only one person involved in a conversation needs to give consent for the recording to be legal.

Is Colorado a one party consent state ?

Yes, Colorado is a one party consent state.

Is Utah a one party consent state ?

Yes, Utah is a one party consent state.

One Party Consent States 2023 - Wisevoter (2024)

FAQs

One Party Consent States 2023 - Wisevoter? ›

Twelve states require, under most circ*mstances, the consent of all parties to a conversation. Those jurisdictions are California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Which states are one-party consent states? ›

One-party consent states
  • Alabama.
  • Alaska.
  • Arizona.
  • Arkansas.
  • Colorado.
  • Connecticut (for in-person conversations or phone calls recorded by a participant of the conversation)
  • District of Columbia.
  • Georgia.

In what states is it illegal to video record someone? ›

Twelve states require, under most circ*mstances, the consent of all parties to a conversation. Those jurisdictions are California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Is Michigan a one-party consent state in 2023? ›

Michigan State Law

Michigan is a one-party consent state, meaning only one person involved in a phone call or in-person conversation needs to consent to a recording of that conversation. In other words, you can record a conversation you are a part of without the permission of the other individual.

Can I sue someone for recording me without my permission in Washington state? ›

With some limited but important exceptions, Washington law requires all parties to consent to the recording of a private communication, and there are penalties for breaking this law. People's privacy is protected in connection with recording communications and conversations.

Can I record a conversation with my boss? ›

California is a “two-party consent” state, meaning it is illegal to record a private conversation without the other person's consent. Even if your boss is yelling at you or treating you hostility in the privacy of their office, you cannot record the conversation and use it as evidence of harassment or discrimination.

Can I sue someone for recording me without my permission in New Jersey? ›

New Jersey's wiretapping law is a "one-party consent" law. New Jersey makes it a crime to intercept or record an in-person or telephone conversation unless one party to the conversation consents. N.J. Stat. §§ 2A:156A-3, -4.

Can someone record a video of me without my permission? ›

California. California requires the consent of all parties, with a minimum consent being the notification that the parties are being recorded in a confidential conversation with an audible beep at particular intervals throughout the recording.

What states are illegal to have hidden cameras? ›

States Where Hidden Security Cameras Aren't Legal
  • Alabama.
  • Arkansas (only legal with consent)
  • Delaware (only legal with consent)
  • Georgia.
  • Hawaii.
  • Indiana (only legal with consent)
  • Michigan (only legal with consent)
  • Utah.

What is the Supreme Court ruling on filming in public? ›

See Fields, 862 F. 3d at 360 (“In sum, under the First Amendment's right of access to information the public has the commensurate right to record—photograph, film, or audio record—police officers conducting official police activity in public areas.”).

Can I sue someone for recording me without my permission in Michigan? ›

However, Michigan has what is known as a one-party consent law. With regard to eavesdropping, this means that only one party must give consent for the recording of their conversation. If a third-party is recording two people without their knowledge or consent, then it becomes an eavesdropping violation.

Can I legally record a conversation between myself and another person? ›

Federal law dictates one-party consent, meaning recording phone calls or conversations is allowed, but only if you are actively participating in the conversation. If you are not part of the conversation but you are recording it, then you are engaging in illegal eavesdropping or wiretapping.

Is Florida a one-party consent state? ›

Florida is known as a two-party consent state. This means that, under state law, all parties involved in private conversations must consent to that conversation being recorded. This differs from one-party consent states, where private conversations may be recorded as long as one involved party consents.

Is it illegal to record a conversation with your spouse? ›

Under California Penal Code section 632, it is a crime to record a telephone call or conversation without the consent of both parties to the call. A violation of this section could result in a fine of up to $2,500.00 and a jail term of up to a year.

Can I record my boss yelling at me in Washington state? ›

Washington is a “two-party consent” state, meaning you need the speaker's permission to record a private conversation.

Is it legal to listen to phone conversations? ›

It is a federal crime to wiretap or to use a machine to capture the communications of others without court approval, unless one of the parties has given their prior consent. It is likewise a federal crime to use or disclose any information acquired by illegal wiretapping or electronic eavesdropping.

Is implied consent in all 50 states? ›

ALL FIFTY STATES HAVE ENACTED THE SO-CALLED IMPLIED CONSENT LAW. THESE LAWS TYPICALLY PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO OPERATES A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY IS DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN HIS CONSENT TO A CHEMICAL TEST TO DETERMINE THE ALCOHOLIC CONTENT OF HIS BLOOD.

Is Florida one-party consent? ›

Florida is known as a two-party consent state. This means that, under state law, all parties involved in private conversations must consent to that conversation being recorded. This differs from one-party consent states, where private conversations may be recorded as long as one involved party consents.

Can I sue someone for recording me without my permission in NY? ›

It is possible to take legal action against someone who records you without your permission on private property or in situations where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, it is more challenging to sue someone for recording you on public property or if they were involved in the conversation.

Can I sue someone for recording me without my permission in Texas? ›

Texas is considered a "one-party consent" state. This means that unless at least one of the parties to a conversation consents, both Texas and federal wiretapping laws make it a crime to record an audio conversation, either in person or over the phone, if the parties have a "reasonable expectation of privacy."

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