Usually yes for video in the common areas of your own home — but never where someone reasonably expects privacy (bathrooms, bedrooms, a live-in caregiver's room), and adding audio is a separate, stricter question tied to your state's recording law.
Video, audio, and the expectation of privacy
Two lines decide almost every camera question. The first is where the camera points. In your own home, video in shared, general-use spaces — a living room, kitchen, entryway — is usually fine because it's your property. But a place where a person reasonably expects privacy, like a bathroom, a bedroom, or the private quarters of a live-in nanny, is off-limits no matter who owns the house. Hidden cameras there run into voyeurism and invasion-of-privacy laws.
The second line is audio. A camera that also records sound isn't just a camera — it's a recording device, governed by your state's consent rule. In an all-party-consent state, a hidden camera that captures audio can be illegal even inside your own home.
What to watch out for
Owning the home doesn't override someone's expectation of privacy. A hidden camera in a bathroom or bedroom — or aimed at a caregiver's or guest's private space — can be a crime.
If your camera records sound, check the recording-consent line above. In all-party states, secret audio can turn a legal nanny cam into an illegal recording.
What a licensed investigator can legally do
A licensed private investigator can advise on lawful placement and document what's visible legally — but can't install a hidden camera in a home that isn't yours, or anywhere someone expects privacy. If someone offers to plant one, that's a red flag.
Get this handled the right way
Know what's legal where you are, then connect with a licensed investigator who can gather it the right way.
Start a caseGeneral legal information only, not legal advice. No attorney–client or investigator relationship is created by reading this.
This guide is general legal information, not legal advice, and laws change. Hidden cameras and in-home audio recording can carry serious criminal and civil penalties. Confirm the current law for your state at the official code and consult a licensed attorney before installing a camera.