Alaska Recording Laws

Alaska Recording Law Summary:

Last Updated: January 2025 | Verified against current Alaska Statutes

Quick Answer

Alaska is a one-party consent state. You can legally record any conversation you’re part of – phone calls, in-person meetings, video calls – without telling anyone else. However, you cannot record private conversations between other people without at least one party’s consent.

Key Point	Answer
Consent Type	One-Party
Can you record your own calls?	Yes
Must you inform others?	No
Primary Statute	AS 42.20.310
Maximum Fine	$25,000
Maximum Jail Time	1 year

Our recommended Digital Voice Recorder.

Understanding Alaska’s Recording Laws

The Legal Foundation

Alaska’s wiretapping and eavesdropping laws are primarily governed by Alaska Statutes Title 42, Chapter 20, Article 4. The key statutes are:

• AS 42.20.310 – Defines eavesdropping offenses
• AS 42.20.320 – Lists exemptions
• AS 42.20.330 – Penalties for violations
• AS 11.61.123 – Indecent viewing or photography

Alaska’s highest court has specifically ruled that the eavesdropping statute only applies to third-party interception, meaning someone who isn’t participating in the conversation. If you’re actually part of the conversation, recording it is legal.

One-Party vs. Two-Party Consent Explained

In a one-party consent state like Alaska, only one person in the conversation needs to know about and consent to the recording. That person can be you. You don’t need to announce “this call is being recorded” or get anyone’s permission.

In contrast, two-party (or all-party) consent states like California, Florida, and Illinois require everyone in the conversation to agree to be recorded.

Recording Phone Calls in Alaska

Can You Record Phone Calls in Alaska?

Yes. As long as you’re a participant in the phone call, you can record it without informing the other party. This applies to:

• Landline calls
• Cell phone calls
• VoIP calls (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.)
• Video calls

Recording Calls Across State Lines

This is where it gets complicated. If you’re in Alaska calling someone in a two-party consent state, the stricter law may apply. States with all-party consent requirements include:

• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan (case law interpretation)
• Montana
• Nevada (for phone calls)
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• Washington

Best practice: If you’re unsure where the other party is located, either inform them the call may be recorded or consult with an attorney before using the recording.

Business Call Recording

Businesses in Alaska can record calls for quality assurance, training, or compliance purposes. The FCC provides guidance that consent can be obtained by:

1. Verbal consent before the call begins
2. A recorded announcement (“This call may be recorded for quality purposes…”)
3. A periodic beep tone during the call

Recording In-Person Conversations

When Is It Legal?

You can record in-person conversations in Alaska when:

• You’re participating in the conversation
• You’re in a public place where there’s no reasonable expectation of privacy
• You have consent from at least one party (which can be yourself)

When Is It Illegal?

It’s illegal to record conversations when:

• You’re not a party to the conversation and don’t have consent
• You’re secretly recording in a place where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy
• You’re recording intimate images without consent

What About Recording in Your Own Home?

You can generally record conversations that take place in your own home if you’re present. However, you cannot:

• Plant a hidden device and leave to record others
• Record guests in areas with privacy expectations (bathrooms, guest bedrooms)
• Record intimate activities without consent

Alaska Video Recording Laws

Public Spaces

There’s no general prohibition on video recording in public spaces in Alaska. You can:

• Film on public streets, parks, and sidewalks
• Record public meetings and government proceedings
• Use dashcams in your vehicle
• Film public protests or demonstrations

Private Property

On private property, the property owner sets the rules. Businesses can prohibit recording, and you must comply or leave. However, Alaska law specifically addresses:

AS 11.61.123 – Indecent Viewing or Photography

This statute prohibits recording someone’s “intimate parts” without consent. Exceptions include:

• Security surveillance systems with posted notice
• Recordings used only for crime prevention or prosecution

If you are recording someone’s likeness for business purposes, you should ensure that you gain proper consent by having them fill out a photo or video consent form.

Recording in the Workplace

Can Your Employer Record You?

Alaska employers can generally record in common work areas where employees don’t have a privacy expectation: offices, conference rooms, sales floors, etc. However, employers cannot record in:

• Bathrooms
• Locker rooms
• Changing areas
• Private offices during personal calls (in most cases)

Can You Record Your Employer?

Yes. As a one-party consent state, you can record conversations with your boss, HR, coworkers, or anyone else at work, as long as you’re part of the conversation. This can be valuable for:

• Documenting harassment
• Recording performance reviews
• Protecting yourself in disputes
• Preserving important instructions

Caution: While it’s legal, your employer may have policies against recording. Violating company policy isn’t criminal, but it could result in termination. Check your employee handbook.

Recording Police and Government Officials

Can You Record Police Officers in Alaska?

Absolutely yes. The First Amendment protects your right to record law enforcement officers performing their duties in public. In Alaska, you can:

• Film traffic stops (including your own)
• Record arrests happening in public
• Document interactions with police
• Livestream encounters

Important limitations:

• Don’t interfere with police operations
• Don’t trespass to get a better angle
• Follow lawful orders to step back (within reason)
• Don’t obstruct the officer’s duties

Recording Government Meetings

Alaska’s Open Meetings Act generally allows recording of public government meetings. You can record:

• City council meetings
• School board meetings
• Public hearings
• Legislative sessions

Specific Situations

Can I Record My Landlord in Alaska?

Yes, if you’re part of the conversation. Recording interactions with landlords can help document:

• Verbal agreements about repairs
• Harassment or illegal entry
• Disputes about lease terms
• Evidence for tenant rights cases

Can I Record My Doctor in Alaska?

Yes, you can record medical appointments you attend. This can be helpful for:

• Remembering complex medical instructions
• Documenting informed consent discussions
• Having a record of diagnoses
• Sharing information with family caregivers

Note: Healthcare facilities may have their own policies, and HIPAA doesn’t prevent you from recording your own appointments.

Can I Record CPS Workers?

Yes. Child Protective Services workers are government employees, and you can record your interactions with them. Many family law attorneys recommend doing so.

Can I Record My Ex-Spouse or Co-Parent?

Yes, during conversations you’re part of. This is common in custody disputes. However:

• Don’t record your children’s private conversations without being present
• Don’t use children to secretly record the other parent
• Consider how recordings may be viewed by family courts

Can I Use a Dashcam in Alaska?

Yes. Dashcams are legal in Alaska. There are no specific laws restricting their use, though you should:

• Mount the camera so it doesn’t obstruct your view
• Be aware that audio recording follows one-party consent rules
• Check if your insurance offers dashcam discounts

Using Recordings as Evidence in Alaska

Are Recordings Admissible in Court?

Recordings made legally under Alaska’s one-party consent law are generally admissible as evidence. However, courts may consider:

• Authentication – Can you prove the recording is genuine and unaltered?
• Relevance – Does the recording matter to the case?
• Hearsay rules – Some statements may be excluded
• Prejudicial vs. probative value – Does it unfairly influence the jury?

Criminal Cases vs. Civil Cases

• Criminal cases: Illegally obtained recordings are typically inadmissible and may result in charges against you
• Civil cases: Rules can be more flexible, but illegally obtained evidence may still be excluded and could expose you to civil liability

Penalties for Illegal Recording in Alaska

Criminal Penalties

Under AS 42.20.330, illegal eavesdropping is a Class A misdemeanor:

Penalty	Maximum
Jail time	Up to 1 year
Fine	Up to $25,000

Enhanced Penalties

If the illegal recording involves intimate images and the victim is a minor, charges can be elevated to a felony under AS 11.61.123.

Civil Liability

Victims of illegal recording may also sue for:

• Invasion of privacy
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Statutory damages under federal wiretapping laws
• Punitive damages in egregious cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alaska a one-party consent state?

Yes. Alaska is a one-party consent state, meaning you can record any conversation you’re part of without informing other participants.

Is Alaska a two-party consent state?

No. Alaska does not require all parties to consent to recording. Only one party needs to consent, and that party can be you.

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

Yes. As a participant in the conversation, you can record without telling the other person.

Can I sue someone for recording me in Alaska?

Only if the recording was illegal, meaning you were recorded without your consent by someone who wasn’t part of the conversation. If someone you were talking to recorded you, that’s legal in Alaska.

Do I need to tell someone I’m recording in Alaska?

No. There’s no legal requirement to inform others that you’re recording a conversation you’re part of.

Can I record a Zoom call in Alaska?

Yes, if you’re a participant in the call. Note that Zoom has its own recording features and may notify participants depending on settings.

Can I record in a store or mall in Alaska?

Generally yes for video in public areas, but private businesses can ask you to stop. Audio recording follows one-party consent rules: you can record conversations you’re part of.

What is the penalty for illegal recording in Alaska?

Up to 1 year in jail and up to $25,000 in fines for a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties increase for recordings involving minors or intimate images.

Can recordings be used in divorce court in Alaska?

Yes, legally obtained recordings can be used as evidence in divorce proceedings. Courts often allow them to document communications about custody, finances, or misconduct.

Does Alaska have hidden camera laws?

Yes. AS 11.61.123 prohibits recording intimate images without consent. General surveillance is allowed with posted notice.

Related Alaska Laws

• Alaska Car Seat Laws
• Alaska Child Support Laws
• Alaska Hit and Run Laws
• Alaska Lemon Law
• Alaska Sexting Laws
• Alaska Statute of Limitations
• Alaska Whistleblower Laws

Sources and Legal References

Source	Link
Alaska Statutes Title 42, Chapter 20	Justia
AS 42.20.310 – Eavesdropping	Touch N Go
AS 11.61.123 – Indecent Viewing	FindLaw
Reporters Committee Recording Guide	RCFP

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. Recording laws can be complex, and specific situations may have unique considerations. If you have questions about your particular circumstances, consult with a licensed Alaska attorney.

---

One-Party Consent States Reference

The following table provides a quick reference to all one-party consent states in the United States. In these states, you only need one party’s consent (which can be yourself) to legally record a conversation.

State	Summary	Key Statute
Alabama	One-party consent. Cannot video record in places with reasonable expectation of privacy.	Ala. Code § 13A-11-30
Alaska	One-party consent. Eavesdropping statute applies only to third-party interceptions.	AS 42.20.310
Arizona	One-party consent. Telephone line owners may record calls on their lines.	ARS 13-3005
Arkansas	One-party consent for private conversations. No consent needed in public places.	Ark. Code § 5-60-120
Colorado	One-party consent. Recording allowed without consent in public places.	C.R.S. § 18-9-303
District of Columbia	One-party consent. Recording allowed without consent where no privacy expectation.	D.C. Code § 23-542
Georgia	One-party consent. Parents may intercept their children’s communications.	Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-66
Hawaii	One-party consent for wire, oral, and electronic communications.	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 803-42
Idaho	One-party consent for all communication types.	Idaho Code Ann. § 18-6702
Indiana	One-party consent. Applies to wire communications, text messages, and emails.	Ind. Code Ann. § 35-31.5-2-176
Iowa	One-party consent if recording made without criminal intent.	Iowa Code Ann. § 808B.2
Kansas	One-party consent. Hidden camera law forbids recording/disclosure of intercepted images.	Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6101
Kentucky	One-party consent. Voyeurism laws forbid illegally obtained images.	Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 526.020
Louisiana	One-party consent. Video voyeurism laws apply.	La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 15:1303
Maine	One-party consent unless conversation is audible by normal hearing.	Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 15, § 710
Minnesota	One-party consent if no criminal intent. Hidden camera laws apply.	Minn. Stat. § 626A.02
Mississippi	One-party consent if no criminal intent. Hidden camera laws apply.	Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-531
Missouri	One-party consent for electronic communications. Wire/oral requires one-party consent.	Mo. Ann. Stat. § 542.402
Nebraska	One-party consent. Public electronic communications may be recorded.	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 86-290
Nevada	One-party for oral; ALL-PARTY for wire/phone communications.	Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.620
New Jersey	One-party consent. Public electronic communications may be recorded.	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-4
New Mexico	One-party consent for all communications.	N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-12-1
New York	One-party consent. Recording without consent allowed if party to conversation.	N.Y. Penal Law § 250.00
North Carolina	One-party consent for all communications.	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-287
North Dakota	One-party consent. Recording allowed with one party’s knowledge.	N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-15-02
Ohio	One-party consent for oral and electronic communications.	Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2933.52
Oklahoma	One-party consent. Recording allowed if party to conversation.	Okla. Stat. tit. 13, § 176.4
Rhode Island	One-party consent for all communications.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-35-21
South Carolina	One-party consent. Can record conversations you participate in.	S.C. Code Ann. § 17-30-30
South Dakota	One-party consent for all communications.	S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-35A-20
Tennessee	One-party consent. Must be party to conversation or have consent.	Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-601
Texas	One-party consent. Can record if party to communication.	Tex. Penal Code § 16.02
Utah	One-party consent for all communications.	Utah Code Ann. § 77-23a-4
Vermont	One-party consent based on case law (no specific statute).	Case law
Virginia	One-party consent. Recording allowed if party to conversation.	Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-62
West Virginia	One-party consent for all communications.	W. Va. Code § 62-1D-3
Wisconsin	One-party consent. Can record if party to conversation.	Wis. Stat. § 968.31
Wyoming	One-party consent for all communications.	Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-3-702

Federal Law: Under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) and 18 U.S. Code § 2511, federal law operates as one-party consent. State laws may be stricter and will supersede federal law in those jurisdictions.

Two-Party Consent States

For comparison, the following states require all parties to consent to recording:

• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan (written as all-party but interpreted as one-party)
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• Oregon (for in-person; one-party for phone)
• Pennsylvania
• Washington