Call Recording Laws in North Carolina 2025
Last Updated: February 17, 2025
North Carolina is a one-party consent state. This means that if you are a participant in a conversation, your consent alone permits you to legally record the call. In this guide, we cover the key legal requirements, discuss potential penalties, and offer practical tips to ensure that your call recordings comply with North Carolina law.
Overview of North Carolina Call Recording Law
Under North Carolina General Statutes Section 15A-287, it is illegal to intercept or record a telephone or electronic communication without the consent of at least one party to the conversation. This one-party consent rule is designed to protect privacy while allowing those involved in the call to record it legally.
Is It Legal to Record a Call in North Carolina?
Yes, recording a call in North Carolina is legal if you are an active participant in the conversation. Your consent alone authorizes the recording. However, recording a conversation in which you are not involved is strictly prohibited and can lead to legal consequences.
North Carolina One-Party Consent
North Carolina operates under a one-party consent policy. If you are part of the conversation, your consent is sufficient to record it. This policy enables you to capture your own communications without needing to inform other participants, though transparency is always recommended.
Penalties for Illegal Recording in North Carolina
Violating North Carolina’s call recording laws can result in serious legal repercussions. Unauthorized recording may lead to criminal charges, including fines and imprisonment, and can also open the door to civil lawsuits for invasion of privacy.
Federal vs. North Carolina Law
While federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 2511 permits one-party consent, North Carolina law governs recordings made within the state. When recording calls that involve parties in multiple jurisdictions, it is best to adhere to North Carolina's one-party consent standard if any participant is located in North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Carolina a one-party consent state?
Yes. In North Carolina, if you are a participant in the conversation, your consent alone is sufficient to legally record the call.
Can I record calls in North Carolina without informing the other party?
Yes, as long as you are part of the conversation. Recording a call in which you are not involved is illegal.
What are the penalties for illegal recording in North Carolina?
Illegal recording in North Carolina can result in criminal charges, fines, imprisonment, and civil lawsuits for invasion of privacy.
Additional Resources
For further information, refer to North Carolina state legal resources or visit our Call Recording Laws by State guide.
The information in this article is intended as a general guide and should not be taken as legal advice. For legal advice, please consult a lawyer.
About Chatwarden
Chatwarden is a set-it-and-forget-it call monitoring tool for small business and contractor owners who want to keep an eye on customer support calls without having to listen to them all.
Here’s how it works:
- You connect Chatwarden to your existing phone system.
- You upload any call-handling instructions or SOPs you want your team to follow.
- Chatwarden checks each call for obvious issues like missed calls, poor sound quality, and dropped calls.
- Chatwarden also checks for less obvious issues: Did your team help the customer? Did they give the correct info? Did they follow SOPs?
- You get a breakdown for each call showing what your team does well and where they can improve.
- If Chatwarden spots a critical issue (like a manager request or an upset customer) you get an email alert immediately.
Learn more at www.chatwarden.com