Can you record a phone call in Alaska?
One person on the call can record it, and that can be you. Alaska's eavesdropping law only stops outsiders from recording without a participant's consent.
- Phone calls
- Section 42.20.310 of the Alaska Statutes forbids using an eavesdropping device to hear or record a conversation without the consent of a party to it. The Alaska Supreme Court held in Palmer v. State (1979) that the law targets third parties, not participants. So you may record your own calls without telling the other side. Federal law (18 U.S.C. 2511) also allows this.
- Business calls
- Alaska'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, and no announcement is required. A recording made to commit a crime or a civil wrong loses this protection. For calls with people in all-party states, say at the start that you record.
- Penalties
- Breaking the eavesdropping law, or sharing what was unlawfully recorded, is a class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $25,000. The statute gives no civil claim, but federal law does.
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
- A 2025 bill from the Governor (Senate Bill 85) would require all parties to agree. It stalled in committee and had not passed by mid-2026.
- 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).
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- Alaska Legislature: Senate Bill 85 (2025), text showing current AS 42.20.310statute
- 18 U.S.C. 2511, federal Wiretap Act (US Code on govinfo.gov)statute
- Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: Alaska recording guideguide
- RecordingLaw.com: Alaska recording laws (reviewed August 2026)guide
- Wikipedia: Telephone call recording lawsguide
Other states
More free tools
Questions
Is Alaska a one-party consent state?
Yes. One person on the call can record it, and that can be you. Alaska's eavesdropping law only stops outsiders from recording without a participant's consent.
Can a business record calls in Alaska?
Alaska'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 Alaska?
Your own consent as a participant is enough, and no announcement is required. A recording made to commit a crime or a civil wrong loses this protection. For calls with people in all-party states, say at the start that you record.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Alaska?
Breaking the eavesdropping law, or sharing what was unlawfully recorded, is a class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $25,000. The statute gives no civil claim, but federal law does.
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.
