Can you record a phone call in Iowa?
You may record a call you take part in without the other person's consent. Iowa law allows recording by a party or with one party's prior consent, unless the purpose is a crime or another wrongful act.
- Phone calls
- Iowa's interception law (Iowa Code 808B.2) makes intercepting a wire, oral or electronic communication a felony, but not when the person recording is a party or one party gave prior consent, unless the aim is a crime or another wrongful act. The eavesdropping law (Iowa Code 727.8) also exempts a sender or recipient, or someone openly present and taking part. Federal law is also one-party.
- Business calls
- No notice is needed when your own staff take part in the call. Announce the recording when you call people in all-party states, since the stricter law may apply. Iowa's consumer data protection law (Iowa Code chapter 715D) covers businesses that handle data of at least 100,000 consumers a year, or 25,000 if over half their revenue comes from selling personal data.
- What counts as consent
- Iowa law needs no notice from a party to the call. Someone openly present and taking part may also record. For calls with people in stricter states, announce the recording at the start; a person who is warned and keeps talking is generally treated as consenting.
- Penalties
- Unlawful interception is a class D felony: up to 5 years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245. Eavesdropping under 727.8 is a serious misdemeanor. Victims can sue for at least $100 a day or $1,000, 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
- The one-party exception never covers a recording made to commit a crime or another wrongful act.
- A 2020 law raised the fines: a class D felony now carries $1,025 to $10,245 (Iowa Code 902.9). Older guides still show $750 to $7,500.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- Iowa Code 808B.2, Unlawful acts, penalty (Iowa Legislature)statute
- Iowa Code 902.9, Maximum sentence for felons (Iowa Legislature)statute
- Iowa Code 715D.2, Consumer data protection: scope (Iowa Legislature)statute
- RCFP Reporter's Recording Guide: Iowaguide
- RCFP: Introduction to the Reporter's Recording Guideguide
Other states
More free tools
Questions
Is Iowa a one-party consent state?
Yes. You may record a call you take part in without the other person's consent. Iowa law allows recording by a party or with one party's prior consent, unless the purpose is a crime or another wrongful act.
Can a business record calls in Iowa?
No notice is needed when your own staff take part in the call. Announce the recording when you call people in all-party states, since the stricter law may apply. Iowa's consumer data protection law (Iowa Code chapter 715D) covers businesses that handle data of at least 100,000 consumers a year, or 25,000 if over half their revenue comes from selling personal data.
What counts as consent in Iowa?
Iowa law needs no notice from a party to the call. Someone openly present and taking part may also record. For calls with people in stricter states, announce the recording at the start; a person who is warned and keeps talking is generally treated as consenting.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Iowa?
Unlawful interception is a class D felony: up to 5 years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245. Eavesdropping under 727.8 is a serious misdemeanor. Victims can sue for at least $100 a day or $1,000, 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.
