Is it legal to record a conversation in New York?

Short answer: New York is a one-party consent state. If you are a party to the conversation, you can record it without telling anyone else — your own consent is enough (N.Y. Penal Law §250.00 et seq.).

What "one-party consent" means in practice

• You can record conversations you take part in — calls you're on, meetings you're in — without announcing it.
• You cannot record a private conversation you're not part of. Recording or "mechanically overhearing" a conversation you have no part in is illegal eavesdropping.
• Applies to phone calls and in-person conversations you're involved in.

Things to keep in mind

• Lawful ≠ automatically useful. The other side can question whether a recording is authentic or complete.
• Don't record to commit a crime. One-party consent doesn't shield recordings made for blackmail or other unlawful purposes.
• Crossing state lines? If the other person is in a two-party state, follow the stricter rule to be safe.

How to record a conversation in New York the right way

1. Make sure you're a participant in the conversation.
2. Keep it provable. Vocert seals each recording with a tamper-evident receipt and trusted timestamp so it can be independently verified — a lawful recording that also holds up. See how verification works.
3. Log the date, place, and participants.

FAQ

Is New York one-party or two-party consent? One-party — your consent alone is enough if you're part of the conversation.

Do I have to tell someone I'm recording them in New York? Not if you're a party to the conversation.

Can I record a phone call in New York? Yes, if you're on the call.

Can I plant a recorder to capture a conversation I'm not in? No — that's illegal eavesdropping.

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This is general information, not legal advice. Recording laws have exceptions and change over time, and your situation may differ. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on this. Consent classification reflects Vocert's jurisdiction data (v3); Vocert reminds you of local rules but you are responsible for recording lawfully.