Security Camera Laws In All 50 States

A common sense guide to owning and operating persons security camera systems.

Recording video is such an easy thing to do these days,  and in life, video has such a powerful lasting action its changing lives and rearranging finances on a daily basis.  It can be a complete headache though if the tables are turned and you get involved with bad apples after a crime has occurred.   Lawsuits and fees are not the only problems, it also leads to mental depression and fatigue.  Not knowing the law for security camera systems and their lawful operation won’t get you any credit.  At the same time if the systems purpose is to deter or retain evidence of a crime committed than it has a substantial benefit to the user, and your reason for surveillance is suddenly validated.

The Hard Facts::

1. Know the Laws in Your District for Security System Activity.
2. Use Law Abiding Methods When Recording Others Without Their Consent.
3. Backup Important Files and Videos.

This article was designed with these ideas in mind.   We have listed the Security Camera Laws in all 50 States for your benefit.  What does it take to secure not only your home, but your legal authority as a resident protector.  Read more for each of the 50 United States and view the laws.    More information on security systems for the home or business.

The Word ‘Consent’

Security cameras and listening devices are controlled by human beings.  So anything that is recorded and stored on devices as these are a direct result of human activity.  Capturing a second or third person’s confidential images and audio(most likely speech) may be illegal in your community WITHOUT ‘consent’ from involved parties.  Even businesses have stickers on the front doors indicating a recorded property.   Although sometimes it is only a misdemeanor to hack into a wireless security system feed.  Eves-dropping can have a slight twist to the average ‘recording’ laws.  We will see that word a lot coming up.  This seems to be a major difficulty in some areas of the country as to what is right or wrong.  Consult our list below for a more complete description.

Government Has No Interest in These Brands…

The US President has signed the 2019 NDAA into law, banning any Dahua and Hikvision product (and their OEMs brands) for US government, for US government-funded contracts and projects, and possibly for ‘critical infrastructure’ and ‘national security’ usage.  That would include airports and key utilitarian sites for national social stability.

*Any residence showing reasonable installation of a security system pertaining to the well being of the dwelling should feel comfortable in its use at any time.

Unfortunately, home invasions happen.  New technology is making the unbelievable actually a practical solution.  Anything from mounted cameras, doorbell cams, hidden motion detectors, and even drones are now common for home security use.  See more home security systems here.

When large data storage is such an easy thing to do these days, it no wonder more and more video recording is taking place.  Know where your rights may stand.

Alabama

If you as the person listening or recording is an involved member of the conversation or  event then you may freely capture footage and audio.

Alaska

In Alaska you must have consent of only one party to capture or record any private events or conversations.  Although it seems that any public communications or actions do not require consent.

Arizona

For Arizona all those involved in a recording must consent to the recording or consent to the awareness of such recordings.  Much like other states if you are in public or using a communication method that one would not expect to be private than that does not require consent.

Arkansas

Recording private matters is much like other states for security cameras, if the subject is thought to be private, consent needs to be obtained for it to be legal to video survey.   If the one recording is involved than it is legal.

California

In California you must have consent of all parties to capture or record any private events or conversations.  Although it seems that any public communications or actions do not require consent.

San Francisco has banned facial recognition technology in the law enforcement agencies.

Colorado

Felony for recording private matters without consent. Recording equipment on personally owned property for security or business reasons is legal as long as notice in the area or to those employed there.

Connecticut

In Connecticut you must have consent of all parties to capture or record any private events or conversations.  You need to give prior warning or establish understanding a recording is taking place.

Delaware

You may not intercept any private communications with out prior consent.  If you are involved in the communication you can record it though.

District of Columbia

Needs consent before private recording of private conversations.

Florida

All those involved must consent to the recording or the consent to the awareness of such recordings. Much like other states if you are in public or using a communication method that one would not expect to be private than that does not require consent.

Georgia

Secret recordings are a felony.   One party in the conversation must give consent.

Hawaii

In the tropics of Hawaii, all those involved must consent to the recording or the consent to the awareness of such recordings. Much like other states if you are in public or using a communication method that one would not expect to be private than that does not require consent.

Idaho

If you as the person listening or recording in Idaho is an involved member of the conversation or  event then you may freely capture footage and audio.

Illinois

An security system or IP camera cannot be used to record anyone without the consent of all those involved.   Plain sight cameras, and posted signs declaring a camera is in use is not something that requires consent in Illinois.

Illinois has banned facial recognition technology without consent.  Biometric Information Privacy Act.  BIPA basically makes it illegal to collect or use biometric data, such as a “scan of hand or face geometry,” without rigorous disclosure of methods, intentions and guarantees regarding that data.

Indiana

Recording an event or conversation must be made by either the sender or the receiver for the recording to be legal.

Iowa

If you as the person listening or recording is an involved member of the conversation or  event then you may freely capture footage and audio.

Kansas

Kansas has adopted one-party consent for recording of conversations and has held that as long as one party consents to the conversation, the other party loses their right to challenge the footage.

Kentucky

It is a felony unless at least one party consents to recording.  If its  a location and there can not be any expected privacy such as in front of a family reunion, that is legal.

Louisiana

One party needs to have given prior consent if a private matter is recorded.

Maine

Its legal if the recording party is either the sender or receiver.

Maryland

You need all the parties consent to record private matters.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts needs consent for private communications.

Michigan

A participant in a conversation may record that conversation without the permission of other parties.  But if that person is not present than consent is need from at least one party.

Minnesota

Again like many other states, It is legal for a person to record secretly if that person is a included in the communication or event.  Also if one of the parties grants consent than it is legal.

Mississippi

Mississippi is like other states, a person can legally record surveillance if that person is a included in the communication or event.  Also if one of the parties grants consent than it is legal.

Missouri

In Missouri you can lawfully record video if that person is a involved in the communication or event, or if one of the parties grants consent than it is legal.

Montana

A person living in Montana cannot video record a private conversation without knowledge of all parties in the conversation.  If there is a sign or warning then proceed.

Nebraska

A person cannot secretly record a private conversation without knowledge of all parties in the conversation.  If there is a sign or warning then proceed its not expected that the location will be private.

Nevada

Consent from all parties is required to record a conversation in the great state of Nevada.

New Hampshire

It is a felony to record unknowingly something private and share this content.  Consent should be collect if a private matter is captured on a security camera.

New Jersey

Fine to record as long as it’s not a private matter, then of course here comes the need for…you guess it, consent.

New Mexico

If you record someone without their knowledge and they have expected privacy in their own personal phone call for example you could be in hot water if charged.  Get consent for private matters,  post a convenient sign and your good.

New York

Like many, many other states, New York  says OK its legal to record and monitor, if you, the one recording are involved, And there is consent with other parties involved.   Again a sign stating camera on premises will clear all expectations of privacy and consent requirements.

North Carolina

It is a felony to record a communication without consent from the parties involved.  So don’t record anyone’s phone calls, and put up a sign.

North Dakota

If you are personally included in the recorded events or have consent then that seems to be legal and just fine.

Ohio

Like many other states, Ohio says it OK and legal to record and monitor, if you are the one recording and are involved, or there is consent when the camera operator is not involved in the events or conversations.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma says it is legal to record and monitor, if you are the one recording and are involved, or there is consent when the camera operator is not involved in the events or conversations.

Oregon

All parties involved must give consent for private video recording or surveillance.  Unless you are involved in the events or conversations.

Pennsylvania

All parties involved must consent as long as there is no expectation of privacy.

Rhode Island

If you are one of the parties included in the recorded events or have consent then that seems to be legal and just fine.

South Carolina

If you are secretly recording and are one of the parties included in the recorded events or have consent then that is legal.  Consent is not needed if the location is not expected to be secure and private.

South Dakota

Much similar to South Carolina, If you are secretly recording and are one of the parties included in the recorded events or have consent then that is legal.  Consent is not needed if the location is not expected to be secure and private.

Tennessee

As a resident of Tennessee, if you are secretly recording and are one of the parties included in the recorded events or have consent then that is legal.  Consent is not needed if the location is not expected to be secure and private.

Texas

If your included in an event or conversation you can record it.  If you not involved you need consent.

Utah

If you are secretly recording and are one of the parties included in the recorded events or have consent then that is legal.  Consent is not needed if the location is not expected to be secure and private.

Vermont

There are no specific laws concerning recording with a home security camera.  Just use common sense with those involved.  There other types of privacy laws of course.

Virginia

Like many other states, in Virginia it is legal to record and survey if you are the recorder are involved or there is simply consent when the camera operator is not involved in the events taking place or conversations.

Washington

All parties involved must consent as long as there is no expectation of privacy.

Washington DC

Its the countries capital, of course they have strong laws.  Needs consent before private recording of private conversations.  Post a sign and expected privacy is invalid.

West Virginia

Its legal to record and survey if you the recorder are involved or there is simply consent when the camera operator is not involved in the events taking place or communications.

Wisconsin

If you are included in the events or communications you are not liable for consent.  Just like many other states, if there is not expectations for privacy at a given location, then its legal to record.

Wyoming

Wyoming is a free to record state as long as the person does not expect reasonable privacy.  If three parties are involved you only need one of the two for consent.

Conclusion-

This is a good search engine related to the laws in all 50 states. Laws for All 50 states

The Word ‘Intent’

Laws and regulations are wonderfully difficult to understand at times.  They change, they get buried, and forgotten.  Find a good resource for state laws here. But that’s not what will save you if it hits the fans sorta speak.   Most of the time, generally, if a security camera sign is posted or a camera is in plain sight, it is considered a place where little- to-no privacy would be expected.  And as such this would free up the property owner or media owner of any wrong doing.  Let it be understood that all security cameras are used as crime deterrents and they are treated differently than just a tape recorder placed under some pillows.   It presents a loss of expectation for privacy when a sign is placed in a window or hung on a wall.  If you can’t overhear speech with your own natural ears and the aid of electronic devices are needed,  that’s where legality comes in to play.  It has a big relation to your overall ‘intent’.

Security Cameras will get smaller and lighter, and faster networking, so people find new unique ways to use them.  Talk to family, play games, work with business clients, having Teams Meetings, and the list keeps expanding.  Using them requires a cup of common sense and logic.  It not hard to stay out of trouble.  Have you considered fake cameras?  They don’t have laws attached!

This list is not intended to be of any legal quality document, but merely a soft guide into Security Camera Laws for the 50 United States.   Please consult your local law authorities for detailed rules and current laws if you have questions.  If you wish to browse our selection of IP cameras or multiple channel systems feel free to do so.  Hassle-Free Returns and Free Shipping on most items.   So keep your family safe and above the law.  Thanks for reading.