Recording Calls and Meetings in Utah: Myths vs Facts on Consent Rules

In Utah, you can legally record a conversation as long as you are a party to it — this is known as the state’s “one-party consent” rule. You don’t need everyone’s permission to record a call or meeting, unlike in “all-party consent” states. Still, Utah’s law comes with limits that every resident, business owner, and employee should understand before pressing record. This guide clears up myths, outlines key rules, and offers practical advice on staying compliant and respectful.

Understanding Utah’s One-Party Consent Law

Under Utah Code § 77-23a-4, you may record a conversation if you are an active participant. In short:

• If you’re part of the conversation: You can record it without notifying others.
• If you’re not part of it: You must have consent from at least one participant to record.

This rule applies to in-person meetings, phone calls, and virtual conversations conducted in Utah.

Myths vs. Facts

Myth 1: You must get everyone’s permission to record in Utah.

Fact: No. Utah only requires consent from one party — you. However, sharing or publishing those recordings without permission can lead to civil lawsuits, especially when private or sensitive information is involved.

Myth 2: Secretly recording is always legal if you’re part of the call.

Fact: Technically legal, but risky. Secretly recording HR meetings, mediations, or therapy sessions may violate contracts or workplace policies, even if the law allows it.

Myth 3: Phone calls are treated differently from in-person conversations.

Fact: Utah law treats both the same. If you’re on the line, you can record. But if your call involves someone in a two-party consent state, that state’s laws could still apply.

When Recording Might Be Illegal

• Recording private conversations without participating or without a participant’s consent.
• Recording where privacy is legally expected (e.g., courtrooms or confidential business sessions).
• Sharing or misusing recordings under Utah’s Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA).

Practical Tips for Utah Residents and Businesses

1. Know your setting: Check if workplace or client policies prohibit recording.
2. Be transparent when possible: Disclosure builds trust and avoids misunderstandings.
3. Store recordings securely: Protect confidential information and delete when no longer needed.
4. Check other states’ laws: Out-of-state participants may trigger different rules.
5. Use recordings ethically: Record for accuracy or documentation — not to surprise or embarrass others.

Video: Consent in Legal Contexts

This Fordham Law debate explores how consent operates in modern legal systems — a useful lens for understanding Utah’s one-party consent rule.

Related Instagram Reels

Utah attorney Silva Mergerditchian explains how recorded statements can strengthen or weaken credibility in criminal and civil cases.

A quick legal tip explaining how Utah’s definition of “consent” overlaps across recording, driving, and privacy laws.

Final Word

Utah’s one-party consent law empowers individuals to record their own interactions for legitimate reasons — like documentation, protection, or accuracy. But with that power comes a responsibility to handle those recordings ethically. Misuse, sharing, or recording in confidential environments can still land you in serious legal trouble.

Final Word: When in doubt, disclose. If transparency would damage trust, ask whether recording is truly necessary. Utah’s goal isn’t to stop you from protecting yourself — it’s to balance accountability with privacy. The best defense is understanding both your rights and your limits before you hit “record.”

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice. For specific guidance, consult a licensed Utah attorney familiar with privacy and recording laws. For more clear and reliable legal resources, visit Utah Law Explained or connect with counsel like Gibb Law Firm.