Can you record a phone call in Alabama?
One person on the call can record it, and that can be you. Alabama's eavesdropping law only bans recording a private conversation when no participant has agreed.
- Phone calls
- Alabama's criminal eavesdropping law (Code of Alabama 13A-11-30 and 13A-11-31) bans using any device to overhear or record a private communication without the consent of at least one person taking part. A participant who records gives that consent, so no one else needs to know. Federal law (18 U.S.C. 2511) follows the same one-party rule.
- Business calls
- Alabama's recording law does not require a beep or announcement when you or your staff take part in the call. To record calls the business is not on, get one participant's agreement first. If the other person is in an all-party state such as California, that state's stricter rule can apply, so announce the recording on those calls.
- What counts as consent
- Your own consent as a participant is enough. Alabama law needs no announcement, beep or written form. When you record calls you are not on, get a participant's agreement in advance.
- Penalties
- Criminal eavesdropping is a Class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $6,000. Installing an eavesdropping device on private premises is a felony (1-10 years). People recorded unlawfully can also sue under federal law.
Say this at the start
Telling everyone and asking is the safe habit everywhere.
- English
Before we start: I record my calls so I can keep accurate notes. Is that OK with you?
Worth knowing
- If the other person is in an all-party state such as California, that state's law can apply to your call (Kearney v. Salomon Smith Barney, California Supreme Court, 2006).
- Conversations in public places, where no one can expect privacy, fall outside the eavesdropping law.
- Alabama's wiretap act (Code 20-2B-12, made permanent in 2025) lets people sue over unlawful call interception, but exempts a participant who records unless the aim is a crime, a civil wrong or another injurious act.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- Alabama Legislature: HB137 (2025), amending the Agent Billy Clardy III Act, Code of Alabama 20-2B-12statute
- 18 U.S.C. 2511, federal Wiretap Act (US Code on govinfo.gov)statute
- Code of Alabama 13A-11-30, Definitions (FindLaw)guide
- Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: Alabama recording guideguide
- Wikipedia: Telephone call recording lawsguide
Other states
More free tools
Questions
Is Alabama a one-party consent state?
Yes. One person on the call can record it, and that can be you. Alabama's eavesdropping law only bans recording a private conversation when no participant has agreed.
Can a business record calls in Alabama?
Alabama's recording law does not require a beep or announcement when you or your staff take part in the call. To record calls the business is not on, get one participant's agreement first. If the other person is in an all-party state such as California, that state's stricter rule can apply, so announce the recording on those calls.
What counts as consent in Alabama?
Your own consent as a participant is enough. Alabama law needs no announcement, beep or written form. When you record calls you are not on, get a participant's agreement in advance.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Alabama?
Criminal eavesdropping is a Class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $6,000. Installing an eavesdropping device on private premises is a felony (1-10 years). People recorded unlawfully can also sue under federal law.
Hang up. The notes are done.
Superscribe records your business calls on the number you already have and writes the note when you hang up. You say one line at the start, and it does the rest.
