Can you record a phone call in Connecticut?
Everyone on a phone call must be told or agree before you record it. Connecticut lets anyone recorded without that notice or consent sue, even though its criminal law only requires one party's consent.
- Phone calls
- Connecticut General Statutes 52-570d bans recording a private phone call unless all parties consent in writing or on the recording, the recorder gives a spoken notice recorded at the start, or an automatic tone sounds about every 15 seconds. A participant has no exception. The criminal eavesdropping law (53a-189) only reaches outsiders recording without one party's consent.
- In person
- Face-to-face conversations follow the criminal eavesdropping law only: someone not present needs the consent of at least one participant. A participant may record an in-person talk without telling the others.
- Business calls
- Use a recorded notice at the start of each call or a 15-second tone, or get written consent. Businesses that handle data of 35,000 or more consumers, or any sensitive data, must follow the Connecticut Data Privacy Act: a privacy notice, data limited to what is necessary, and access and deletion rights.
- What counts as consent
- Three methods count: consent of all parties given in writing or recorded at the start; a spoken notice by the person recording, captured at the start of the recording; or an automatic tone repeated about every 15 seconds.
- Penalties
- Recording a call without consent or notice exposes you to a civil suit for damages, costs and attorney's fees. Eavesdropping as an outsider is a class D felony: up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
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
- Sources split: some list Connecticut as one-party because its criminal law is. The civil statute 52-570d still requires all-party consent or notice for phone calls, so the stricter rule is shown.
- Courts have not settled whether 52-570d covers calls with people in other states, so treat any call with a Connecticut party as covered.
- Exceptions include recording calls that carry threats of extortion or bodily harm, and calls received repeatedly or at an extremely inconvenient hour.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- Connecticut Attorney General: The Connecticut Data Privacy Actregulator
- Connecticut General Statutes 52-570d, Action for illegal recording of private telephonic communications (FindLaw)guide
- Connecticut General Statutes 53a-189, Eavesdropping (FindLaw)guide
- Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: Connecticut recording guideguide
- Wikipedia: Telephone call recording lawsguide
Other states
More free tools
Questions
Is Connecticut a one-party consent state?
No. Everyone on a phone call must be told or agree before you record it. Connecticut lets anyone recorded without that notice or consent sue, even though its criminal law only requires one party's consent.
Can a business record calls in Connecticut?
Use a recorded notice at the start of each call or a 15-second tone, or get written consent. Businesses that handle data of 35,000 or more consumers, or any sensitive data, must follow the Connecticut Data Privacy Act: a privacy notice, data limited to what is necessary, and access and deletion rights.
What counts as consent in Connecticut?
Three methods count: consent of all parties given in writing or recorded at the start; a spoken notice by the person recording, captured at the start of the recording; or an automatic tone repeated about every 15 seconds.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Connecticut?
Recording a call without consent or notice exposes you to a civil suit for damages, costs and attorney's fees. Eavesdropping as an outsider is a class D felony: up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
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.
