Can I record this conversation?
Twelve US states require everyone in the conversation to agree before you record. The other thirty-eight and DC require only you. Pick a state to see which rule applies, and get the sentence to say before you hit record.
Outside the United States? This tool covers US states and DC only. Rules elsewhere vary widely, and in much of Europe consent requirements are stricter than the US default, with GDPR obligations layered on top when recordings contain personal data. Get local advice rather than assuming the US rule applies.
Questions people actually ask
How many states require all-party consent to record?
Twelve are commonly listed: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. Connecticut and Oregon apply different rules to phone calls than to in-person conversations. The remaining 38 states and DC follow the federal one-party baseline.
What should I say before recording a meeting?
Start the recording first, then say: "I am recording this so I do not have to take notes. Is everyone okay with that?" Starting first captures the consent in the file itself, which is what makes it useful later. In Washington, capturing consent on the recording is generally expected rather than merely advisable.
Does one-party consent mean I can record any conversation?
No. One-party consent means one party consents, and you can be that party only if you are actually in the conversation. Leaving a device to capture a conversation you are not part of is eavesdropping, and that is illegal in every state, one-party ones included.
Which law applies when people are in different states?
There is no single rule. Courts have applied the recorder's state law, the recorded person's state law, and the law of the state where they had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Follow the strictest rule among all participants' locations.