Can you record a phone call in Arizona?
One person on the call can record it, and that can be you. Arizona only makes it a crime to intercept a call when no participant has agreed.
- Phone calls
- Arizona's interception law (Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3005) makes it a felony to intercept a phone or electronic communication you are not part of. Section 13-3012 exempts any interception made with the consent of a party to the communication. So a participant may record without telling the others. Federal law (18 U.S.C. 2511) follows the same one-party rule.
- Business calls
- Arizona'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. Arizona law needs no announcement or beep. For in-person talks, consent from anyone present is enough. When the other side is in an all-party state, say at the start that you record.
- Penalties
- Unlawful interception is a class 5 felony; for a first offense the prison range is 6 months to 2.5 years. Victims can sue for the greater of actual damages plus profits, $100 a day, or $10,000, plus punitive damages.
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).
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3005, Interception of wire, electronic and oral communicationsstatute
- Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3012, Exemptionsstatute
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-731, Civil action for unlawful interceptionstatute
- Arizona Revised Statutes 13-702, Sentencing for first-time felony offendersstatute
- Wikipedia: Telephone call recording lawsguide
Other states
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Questions
Is Arizona a one-party consent state?
Yes. One person on the call can record it, and that can be you. Arizona only makes it a crime to intercept a call when no participant has agreed.
Can a business record calls in Arizona?
Arizona'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 Arizona?
Your own consent as a participant is enough. Arizona law needs no announcement or beep. For in-person talks, consent from anyone present is enough. When the other side is in an all-party state, say at the start that you record.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Arizona?
Unlawful interception is a class 5 felony; for a first offense the prison range is 6 months to 2.5 years. Victims can sue for the greater of actual damages plus profits, $100 a day, or $10,000, plus punitive damages.
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.
