Connecticut Recording Laws (2026 Guide)

Last Updated: January 2026 | Verified against current Connecticut Statutes

Quick Answer

Connecticut has a mixed consent approach to recording laws – one of the most unique in the country. For in-person conversations, Connecticut follows one-party consent rules. However, for telephone conversations, Connecticut requires all-party consent. This distinction makes Connecticut both a one-party AND two-party consent state depending on the situation.

Connecticut Recording Law Summary

Key Point	Answer
In-Person Consent	One-Party Consent
Telephone Consent	All-Party Consent
Can you record your own in-person conversations?	Yes, without notifying others
Can you record your own phone calls?	Only with all parties’ consent
In-Person Statute	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-187
Telephone Statute	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d
Criminal Penalty	Class D Felony – up to 5 years prison, $5,000 fine
Civil Liability	Damages + litigation costs + attorney’s fees

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Understanding Connecticut’s Mixed Consent Rules

Why Connecticut Is Different

Connecticut is one of the few states that treats in-person and telephone recordings differently. This can be confusing, so let’s break it down clearly:

Type of Recording	Consent Required	Governing Law
In-Person Conversations	One-party (you can record if you’re part of it)	§ 53a-187 (Eavesdropping)
Telephone Calls	All-party (everyone must consent)	§ 52-570d (Telephone Recording)
Video (no audio)	Generally permitted in non-private areas	Common law privacy

The Legal Foundation

Connecticut’s recording laws are governed by two primary statutes:

• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-187 – Eavesdropping (criminal statute for in-person recordings)
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d – Civil liability for telephone recording
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-189 – Criminal penalties for eavesdropping violations

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Recording In-Person Conversations in Connecticut

One-Party Consent Applies

For face-to-face, in-person conversations, Connecticut follows one-party consent rules. This means:

• You CAN record a conversation you’re participating in without telling the other parties
• You CANNOT record a conversation you’re not part of (that would be eavesdropping)
• A third party cannot record your conversation without at least one participant’s consent

When In-Person Recording Is Legal

• Recording a meeting you’re attending
• Recording a conversation with your landlord, employer, or business partner
• Recording interactions where you’re a participant
• Recording in public places where there’s no expectation of privacy

When In-Person Recording Is Illegal

• Placing a hidden recording device to capture others’ conversations when you’re not present
• Recording private conversations between other people without their knowledge
• Installing surveillance equipment to eavesdrop on private communications

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Recording Phone Calls in Connecticut

All-Party Consent Required

This is where Connecticut’s law becomes strict. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d, recording a telephone conversation requires one of the following:

1. Written consent from all parties, obtained before or at the start of recording
2. Verbal consent from all parties, recorded at the beginning of the call
3. Automatic warning tone – a distinct signal repeated every 15 seconds during the recording

Important: Simply being a participant in the call does NOT give you the right to record it without the other parties’ consent.

Consequences of Recording Phone Calls Without Consent

• Civil lawsuit for damages
• Payment of the victim’s litigation costs
• Payment of the victim’s attorney’s fees
• The recording is inadmissible as evidence in Connecticut courts

Recording Calls Across State Lines

When making calls involving other states:

• If calling FROM Connecticut to a one-party state: Connecticut’s stricter phone recording rules likely apply
• If calling TO Connecticut from another state: Connecticut residents are protected by § 52-570d
• When in doubt, get consent from all parties

Business Call Recording

Businesses recording customer calls in Connecticut must provide clear notification. The standard “This call may be recorded” message satisfies the consent requirement if played at the beginning of the call, as continuing after hearing the message implies consent.

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Connecticut Video Recording Laws

Video Without Audio

Connecticut’s recording laws primarily address audio recordings. Video recording without audio is generally permitted in areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Hidden Cameras and Voyeurism

Connecticut law prohibits:

• Recording in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (bedrooms, bathrooms, changing rooms)
• Using hidden cameras to capture intimate images without consent
• Distributing intimate images recorded without consent

Workplace Surveillance

Connecticut has specific laws regarding workplace monitoring. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-48d, employers must give prior written notice to employees before engaging in electronic monitoring of their activities.

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Recording in the Workplace

Employee Rights

For in-person workplace conversations, Connecticut’s one-party consent rule applies – you can record meetings or conversations you’re participating in without notifying others.

However, for phone calls at work, you still need all-party consent under § 52-570d.

Employer Monitoring Requirements

Connecticut requires employers to provide written notice before:

• Monitoring employee phone calls
• Monitoring email and internet usage
• Using video surveillance in the workplace

This notice must be given at the time of hiring or when monitoring begins.

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Recording Police and Government Officials

Can You Record Police Officers in Connecticut?

Yes. The First Amendment protects your right to record police officers performing their public duties. Since police interactions in public are typically in-person (not telephone), Connecticut’s one-party consent rule applies – you can record without notifying the officer.

When recording police:

• Don’t interfere with their duties
• Maintain a safe distance
• You may record from any public space
• Officers cannot demand you stop recording or delete footage

Recording Government Meetings

Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act guarantees the public’s right to attend open meetings of government bodies. Recording is permitted at these public meetings.

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Exceptions to Connecticut Recording Laws

Law Enforcement Exception

Police and law enforcement officers may record communications when performing their lawful duties, including during investigations.

Emergency Services Exception

Emergency responders, including 911 operators, may record calls in the course of their duties.

Broadcast Stations

Licensed broadcast stations have certain exemptions when recording for legitimate news gathering purposes.

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Penalties for Illegal Recording in Connecticut

Criminal Penalties

Offense	Classification	Penalty
Eavesdropping (§ 53a-189)	Class D Felony	Up to 5 years prison, up to $5,000 fine
Illegal wiretapping	Class D Felony	Up to 5 years prison, up to $5,000 fine
Voyeurism/Hidden cameras	Varies	Depends on circumstances

Civil Liability for Phone Recording (§ 52-570d)

Anyone who records a telephone conversation without proper consent can be sued in Superior Court for:

• Actual damages suffered by the victim
• Litigation costs
• Attorney’s fees

Additionally, improperly recorded phone conversations are inadmissible as evidence in Connecticut courts, which can severely impact legal cases.

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Using Recordings as Evidence in Connecticut

In-Person Recordings

Recordings of in-person conversations made with one-party consent are generally admissible in Connecticut courts, subject to authentication requirements.

Phone Recordings

Phone recordings made without all-party consent are NOT admissible in Connecticut courts. This is a critical consideration if you’re recording to gather evidence for a lawsuit or legal matter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Connecticut a one-party consent state?

For in-person conversations, yes. You can record face-to-face conversations you’re participating in without notifying others. However, for telephone calls, Connecticut requires all-party consent.

Is Connecticut a two-party consent state?

For telephone calls, yes. You must have consent from all parties to legally record a phone call in Connecticut. For in-person conversations, only one-party consent is required.

Can I record a conversation without the other person knowing in Connecticut?

For in-person conversations you’re part of – yes. For phone calls – no, you need consent from all parties or must use an automatic warning tone.

Can I record a phone call in Connecticut?

Only with consent from all parties, verbal notification at the start of the call, or by using an automatic warning tone every 15 seconds.

What happens if I record a phone call without consent in Connecticut?

You can be sued for damages, litigation costs, and attorney’s fees. The recording will also be inadmissible in court.

Can I sue someone for recording me in Connecticut?

If they recorded a phone call without your consent – yes, under § 52-570d. For in-person recordings, it depends on whether they were a participant in the conversation.

Can recordings be used in court in Connecticut?

In-person recordings made with one-party consent are generally admissible. Phone recordings made without all-party consent are NOT admissible.

Can I record my employer in Connecticut?

For in-person conversations you’re participating in – yes. For phone calls – only with all parties’ consent.

What is the penalty for illegal recording in Connecticut?

Criminal penalties include up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines (Class D Felony). Civil penalties for phone recording include damages, costs, and attorney’s fees.

Does Connecticut have hidden camera laws?

Yes. Recording in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (bathrooms, bedrooms, changing rooms) is illegal.

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Related Connecticut Laws

• Connecticut Whistleblower Laws
• Connecticut Hit and Run Laws
• Connecticut Sexting Laws
• Connecticut Dog Bite Laws

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Sources and Legal References

Source	Link
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d (Telephone Recording)	cga.ct.gov
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-187 (Eavesdropping)	cga.ct.gov
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-48d (Workplace Monitoring)	cga.ct.gov
Reporters Committee – Connecticut	rcfp.org

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Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. Connecticut’s mixed consent rules can be confusing – if you have questions about your specific situation, consult with a licensed Connecticut attorney.

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Two-Party Consent States Reference

Connecticut is listed among two-party consent states due to its telephone recording requirements, though it functions as a one-party consent state for in-person conversations.

State	Key Statute
California	Cal. Penal Code § 632
Connecticut*	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d (phone), § 53a-187 (in-person)
Delaware	Del. Code tit. 11, § 2402
Florida	Fla. Stat. § 934.03
Illinois	720 ILCS 5/14-2
Maryland	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 10-402
Massachusetts	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 272, § 99
Michigan*	Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.539c
Montana	Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-213
New Hampshire	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 570-A:2
Oregon	Or. Rev. Stat. § 165.540
Pennsylvania	18 Pa. C.S. § 5703
Washington	Wash. Rev. Code § 9.73.030

*Connecticut has different rules for in-person (one-party) vs. phone (all-party) recordings. Michigan courts have interpreted the statute as one-party consent in some circumstances.

One-Party Consent States

The remaining states follow one-party consent rules for all types of recordings. See our One-Party Consent States Guide for details.