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Is it legal to record a call in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is an all-party consent state for recording conversations. In an all-party consent state, all parties to the conversation must consent before it is recorded.

The statute

A person, to intercept a wire, electronic or oral communication, where all parties to the communication have given prior consent to such interception.

18 Pa.C.S. 5704(4). Last verified 2026-07-03.source

Penalties under the Pennsylvania statute

The operative penalty language, quoted from the same archived official source:

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person is guilty of a felony of the third degree if he: (1) intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept any wire, electronic or oral communication.

18 Pa.C.S. 5704(4).source

Frequently asked questions

Can I record a phone call I am on in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is an all-party consent state for recording conversations. In an all-party consent state, all parties to the conversation must consent before it is recorded. See the statute quoted above and confirm at the official source linked below. This is general information, not legal advice.

What penalties does the Pennsylvania statute provide?

The archived statute text provides: "Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person is guilty of a felony of the third degree if he: (1) intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept any wire, electronic or oral communication." See the quoted provision above and the official source for full context. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

Important

This page is general information, not legal advice. Recording laws have edge cases that this summary does not cover, including in-person versus phone recording, calls that cross state lines, and law-enforcement exceptions. Laws change. Confirm the current statute at the official source linked below, and consult your own counsel before relying on it.