Can you record a phone call in Louisiana?
You may record a call you take part in without the other person's consent. Louisiana's Electronic Surveillance Act allows recording by a party or with one party's prior consent, unless the aim is to commit a crime or harm someone.
- Phone calls
- Louisiana's Electronic Surveillance Act (La. R.S. 15:1303) bans intercepting wire, oral or electronic communications. It allows interception by a person who is a party to the communication, or when one party gave prior consent, unless the aim is a crime or another wrongful act. The same rule covers in-person talks. Federal law (18 U.S.C. 2511) 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. A recording made to commit a crime or harm someone is illegal even with one party's consent.
- What counts as consent
- Your own consent as a participant is enough in Louisiana. For calls with people in stricter states, say at the start that you record; a person who is warned and keeps talking is generally treated as consenting.
- Penalties
- Unlawful interception carries a fine up to $10,000 and 2-10 years in prison at hard labor. Victims can sue for at least $100 a day or $1,000, plus punitive damages and legal fees.
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 act's definition of electronic communication expressly includes cordless and cellular phone calls.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- 18 U.S.C. 2511, federal Wiretap Act (U.S. Code on GovInfo)statute
- La. R.S. 15:1303, Interception and disclosure of communications (Louisiana Legislature)statute
- La. R.S. 15:1312, Civil action (FindLaw)guide
- RCFP Reporter's Recording Guide: Louisianaguide
- RCFP: Introduction to the Reporter's Recording Guideguide
Other states
More free tools
Questions
Is Louisiana a one-party consent state?
Yes. You may record a call you take part in without the other person's consent. Louisiana's Electronic Surveillance Act allows recording by a party or with one party's prior consent, unless the aim is to commit a crime or harm someone.
Can a business record calls in Louisiana?
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. A recording made to commit a crime or harm someone is illegal even with one party's consent.
What counts as consent in Louisiana?
Your own consent as a participant is enough in Louisiana. For calls with people in stricter states, say at the start that you record; a person who is warned and keeps talking is generally treated as consenting.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Louisiana?
Unlawful interception carries a fine up to $10,000 and 2-10 years in prison at hard labor. Victims can sue for at least $100 a day or $1,000, plus punitive damages and legal fees.
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.
