Utah
Utah Phone Call Recording Laws
Utah is a one-party consent state for phone call recording. Under Utah Code Ann. 77-23a-4, you may record any phone call you are part of without notifying the other party or obtaining their permission.
Utah's one-party consent law makes it legal to record any phone call you participate in. Under Utah Code Ann. 77-23a-4, you do not need to announce "this call is being recorded" or get verbal permission.
This guide covers personal call recording, business call recording, VoIP calls, interstate calls, penalties for illegal recording, and how phone recordings work as evidence.
Utah Phone Call Recording Law
The One-Party Consent Rule
Under 77-23a-4, recording is lawful when at least one party to the communication consents. Your participation is your consent. You can record landline calls, cell phone calls, VoIP calls, video calls, messaging app calls, and conference calls.
Interstate Phone Calls
When calling someone in a two-party consent state, the stricter law typically applies. States requiring all-party consent include California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada (phone calls), New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Business Phone Calls
Utah businesses can record calls with an employee's consent as the participating party. FCC regulations and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act may also apply.
VoIP and Digital Calls
Zoom, Teams, Meet, and other platforms are covered by the same rules. Built-in recording features typically notify all participants. External recording methods follow one-party consent.
Penalties
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal interception | Third degree felony | 5 years, $5,000 fine |
| First offense (non-tortious, non-commercial, unencrypted radio/cordless) | Class B misdemeanor | 6 months |
| Civil damages | -- | $100/day or $10,000 minimum |
Phone Recordings as Evidence
Lawfully recorded calls are generally admissible in Utah courts. Authentication, relevance, and hearsay rules apply. Keep originals unedited and document metadata.
More Utah Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism & Hidden Cameras | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant | Dashcam Laws | Schools | Medical Recording
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a phone call in Utah without telling the other person?
Yes. Utah is a one-party consent state under 77-23a-4. You can record any call you participate in without notification.
Can I record a call with someone in California from Utah?
You should get consent first. California requires all-party consent, and the stricter law typically applies to interstate calls.
Is it illegal to tap someone's phone in Utah?
Yes. Intercepting calls you are not part of without any participant's consent is a third degree felony.
Can I use a recorded phone call as evidence in Utah?
Yes. Lawfully recorded calls are generally admissible. The recording must be authenticated, relevant, and unaltered.
Can my [employer record](/can-an-employer-record-conversations-without-consent) my work phone calls?
Yes, if an employee on the call consents. This satisfies one-party consent. Many employers announce recording as a best practice.
Sources and References
- Utah Code Ann. 77-23a-4 -- Interception of Communications(le.utah.gov).gov
- Utah Code Ann. 77-23a-11 -- Civil Remedies(le.utah.gov).gov
- FCC Guide on Recording Telephone Conversations(fcc.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 2511 -- Federal Wiretap Act(law.cornell.edu)