Is Recording Conversations Legal in Washington?
Recording Conversations is legal with restrictions in Washington as of 2026. Washington is an all-party consent state under RCW 9.73.030. Recording a private conversation requires the consent of all parties. Recording without all-party consent is illegal.
Recording Conversations is LEGAL WITH RESTRICTIONS in Washington
Recording Conversations is legal in Washington but with specific restrictions and regulations.
Recording Conversations Laws in Washington: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Recording Conversations is currently legal with restrictions in Washington.
- 2 Possession: Possession of recordings without all-party consent is illegal.
- 3 Sale: Sale or distribution of illegally recorded conversations is prohibited.
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: Class C felony under RCW 9.73.030 for illegal interception.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Possession of recordings without all-party consent is illegal. |
| Sale | Sale or distribution of illegally recorded conversations is prohibited. |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | Class C felony under RCW 9.73.030 for illegal interception. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does Washington Compare?
Across all 50 states, Recording Conversations is fully legal in 31 states, legal with restrictions in 19 states, and illegal in 0 states. Washington is among the 19 states where it is legal with restrictions.
View the full 50-state map for Recording Conversations →Get the Free Recording Conversations 50-State Legal Guide
Download our one-page cheat sheet showing recording conversations legality across all 50 states. Plus get notified when laws change.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We only email when laws change.
Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: Revised Code of Washington § 9.73.030
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.73.030
Last verified: 2026-01-15
Compare States or Plan a Trip?
Use our free interactive tools to compare laws across states or check legality along your travel route.