One-Party Consent

A legal rule that allows you to record a conversation you are part of without telling the other person, as long as at least one person in the conversation (you) knows it is being recorded.

Minnesota is a “one-party consent” state for recording conversations. This means that if you are part of a conversation, you are allowed to record it without telling the other person. The “one party” who consents is you. As long as you are actually participating in the conversation, you can legally hit record.

This applies to phone calls, in-person talks, and workplace conversations. You do not need to announce that you are recording, and you do not need the other person’s permission. However, there is one important limit: you cannot record a conversation you are not part of. Secretly recording two other people talking to each other, when you are not involved, is illegal wiretapping under Minnesota Statutes section 626A.02.

Recording laws are different in other states. Some states (like California and Illinois) require all parties to agree before a conversation can be recorded. If you are on a phone call with someone in one of those states, the rules get complicated. The safest approach for cross-state calls is to let the other person know you are recording.

Why it matters: If you need to document a conversation for your protection, such as a workplace dispute, a landlord interaction, or a threatening phone call, Minnesota law is on your side as long as you are part of that conversation. Knowing this right can help you gather evidence when you need it.

Example: Your employer verbally promises you a raise during a one-on-one meeting, but you worry they might deny it later. In Minnesota, you can record that meeting on your phone without telling your employer. If the promise is later denied, you have a recording to back up your claim.