The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently has no rules regarding recording of telephone conversations by individuals, but federal and many state laws may prohibit this practice.

Recording Intrastate Wireline Conversations

Questions or complaints about recording intrastate (within the same state) wireline telephone conversations should be addressed to your state public service commission. Your public service commission should be able to tell you whether such recording is legal or illegal and how it is regulated. Contact information for your state public service commission can be found at www.naruc.org or in the blue pages or government section of your local telephone directory.

Wiretapping – Wireline Phones

Wiretapping is regulated by both the state and federal governments and, if illegal, can be punished by criminal sanctions. For more information concerning your state wiretapping laws, contact your state Attorney General’s office. Look for contact information in the blue pages or government section of your local telephone directory.

For information concerning federal wiretapping laws, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at:

Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20535-0001
(202) 324-3000.

You may also visit the FBI’s website .

For More Information

For information regarding interception or recording of wireless telephone conversations, see the FCC’s consumer guide on interception and divulgence of radio communications.

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Recording Telephone Conversations Guide (pdf)