Are Hidden Cameras Legal? State Recording Laws (2026)

Quick Answer

Hidden Cameras & Surveillance Devices is illegal in 4 states as of 2026. and restricted in 46. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

0 Legal

46 Restricted

4 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Hidden Cameras & Surveillance Devices Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	ILLEGAL	Alabama Code § 13A-11-30 makes it illegal to intentionally overhear or record private conversations without the consent ...	Details →
Alaska	RESTRICTED	Alaska law permits video recording in public or where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. However, Alaska Sta...	Details →
Arizona	RESTRICTED	Arizona is a one-party consent state for audio recording, but surreptitious video recording in areas with a reasonable e...	Details →
Arkansas	RESTRICTED	Arkansas law (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-60-120) prohibits recording or intercepting oral or electronic communications without t...	Details →
California	RESTRICTED	California is a two-party consent state under Cal. Penal Code § 632, making it illegal to record confidential communicat...	Details →
Colorado	RESTRICTED	Colorado is a one-party consent state under C.R.S. § 18-9-303, allowing audio recording if one party consents. Video rec...	Details →
Connecticut	RESTRICTED	Connecticut is a two-party consent state under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d, requiring all parties to consent to audio rec...	Details →
Delaware	RESTRICTED	Delaware is a one-party consent state under 11 Del. C. § 2402, allowing audio recording if one party consents. Hidden ca...	Details →
Florida	ILLEGAL	Florida prohibits the interception and disclosure of oral communications without all parties' consent and makes video vo...	Details →
Georgia	RESTRICTED	Georgia is a one-party consent state under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62, allowing audio recording if one party consents. Video re...	Details →
Hawaii	RESTRICTED	Hawaii law permits the use of hidden cameras in public or common areas but prohibits recording in places where a person ...	Details →
Idaho	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Idaho. Video recording in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of...	Details →
Illinois	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Illinois. Video recording with no audio in public or semi-public areas is ...	Details →
Indiana	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal to purchase and possess in Indiana, but their use is restricted. Recording audio without consen...	Details →
Iowa	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Iowa. Iowa Code § 808B.3 allows audio recording if one party consents. Vid...	Details →
Kansas	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Kansas. K.S.A. § 21-6104 governs eavesdropping. Hidden cameras are legal i...	Details →
Kentucky	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Kentucky. KRS § 526.020 permits audio recording if one party consents. Vid...	Details →
Louisiana	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Louisiana. R.S. § 15:1303, allowing audio recording if one party consents....	Details →
Maine	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Maine. R.S. § 570-A. Video recording without audio is generally legal in p...	Details →
Maryland	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Maryland. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 10-402, requiring consent ...	Details →
Massachusetts	RESTRICTED	Massachusetts law prohibits the secret recording of private conversations without the consent of all parties under M.G.L...	Details →
Michigan	RESTRICTED	Michigan is a two-party consent state under MCL 750.539c, making it illegal to record private conversations without the ...	Details →
Minnesota	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Minnesota. Stat. § 609.746. Hidden cameras are legal in public areas but i...	Details →
Mississippi	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Mississippi. Code Ann. § 41-29-501, allowing recording of conversations if...	Details →
Missouri	RESTRICTED	Missouri is a one-party consent state under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 542.402, permitting recording if one party consents. Hidden...	Details →
Montana	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in Montana. Code Ann. § 45-8-213 to record private conversations. Use of hidd...	Details →
Nebraska	RESTRICTED	Nebraska is a one-party consent state under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 86-290, allowing recording with consent of one party. Hidd...	Details →
Nevada	RESTRICTED	Nevada is a two-party consent state under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.620, prohibiting recording private conversations without...	Details →
New Hampshire	RESTRICTED	Hidden cameras are legal with restrictions in New Hampshire. Hidden cameras are legal in public or non-private areas but...	Details →
New Jersey	ILLEGAL	New Jersey prohibits recording wire, electronic, or oral communications without the consent of at least one party. Hidde...	Details →
New Mexico	RESTRICTED	In New Mexico, it is generally legal to use hidden cameras in public or semi-public areas where there is no reasonable e...	Details →
New York	RESTRICTED	New York is a one-party consent state under CPLR § 4506, allowing recording of audio only if one party consents. Hidden ...	Details →
North Carolina	RESTRICTED	North Carolina is a one-party consent state under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-287, allowing audio recording if one party conse...	Details →
North Dakota	RESTRICTED	North Dakota requires one-party consent for audio recording under N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-15-02. Hidden cameras are legal...	Details →
Ohio	ILLEGAL	Ohio prohibits the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications without the consent of at least one party an...	Details →
Oklahoma	RESTRICTED	Oklahoma is a one-party consent state under 13 Okla. Stat. § 176.2, permitting audio recording if one party consents. Hi...	Details →
Oregon	RESTRICTED	Oregon is a two-party consent state under ORS 165.540, requiring all parties to consent to audio recording. Hidden camer...	Details →
Pennsylvania	RESTRICTED	Pennsylvania is a two-party consent state under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5703, requiring all parties to consent to audio recording. ...	Details →
Rhode Island	RESTRICTED	Rhode Island is a two-party consent state under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-35-22, requiring all parties to consent to audio rec...	Details →
South Carolina	RESTRICTED	South Carolina prohibits interception of oral or wire communications without consent of at least one party and makes it ...	Details →
South Dakota	RESTRICTED	South Dakota law permits the use of hidden cameras for surveillance in public or semi-public areas but prohibits recordi...	Details →
Tennessee	RESTRICTED	Tennessee allows video surveillance in public and private spaces where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, bu...	Details →
Texas	RESTRICTED	Texas permits video surveillance in areas without a reasonable expectation of privacy but prohibits audio recording with...	Details →
Utah	RESTRICTED	Utah law allows video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent under Ut...	Details →
Vermont	RESTRICTED	Vermont permits video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent under 13...	Details →
Virginia	RESTRICTED	Virginia law allows video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent unde...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Washington permits video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent under...	Details →
West Virginia	RESTRICTED	West Virginia law allows video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent...	Details →
Wisconsin	RESTRICTED	Wisconsin permits video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent under ...	Details →
Wyoming	RESTRICTED	Wyoming law permits video surveillance in public or non-private areas but prohibits audio recording without consent unde...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hidden Cameras & Surveillance Devices legal in the United States?

Hidden Cameras & Surveillance Devices is illegal in 4 states as of 2026. and restricted in 46. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

How many states allow hidden cameras & surveillance devices?

As of 2026, hidden cameras & surveillance devices is legal in 0 states, restricted with conditions in 46 states, and illegal in 4 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with hidden cameras & surveillance devices in a state where it's illegal?

Penalties range from civil fines to felony charges depending on the state. Some states treat first offenses as misdemeanors with small fines, while others classify possession as a felony carrying prison time. Check the specific state page for exact penalties, charge levels, and enforcement likelihood.

Can you travel across state lines with hidden cameras & surveillance devices?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If hidden cameras & surveillance devices is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. This applies to driving, flying, and shipping.