Surveillance & Investigation Law · By State

Security camera laws by state

Home, doorbell, and outdoor security cameras — what's legal across all 50 states and DC, and the audio rule that matters most.

For reference only. Laws change — verify each answer against the linked statute and a licensed attorney before acting. Last reviewed: August 2026

By state Recording Consent states GPS trackers Hidden cameras Security cameras PI license Reciprocity

Jurisdiction	Your own home / nanny cam	Doorbell / outdoor camera	Audio (recording) rule
Alabama	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Alaska	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Arizona	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Arkansas	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
California	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Colorado	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Connecticut	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Delaware	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
District of Columbia	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Florida	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Georgia	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Hawaii	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Idaho	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Illinois	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Indiana	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Iowa	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Kansas	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Kentucky	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Louisiana	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Maine	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Maryland	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Massachusetts	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Michigan	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Minnesota	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Mississippi	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Missouri	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Montana	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Nebraska	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Nevada	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
New Hampshire	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
New Jersey	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
New Mexico	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
New York	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
North Carolina	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
North Dakota	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Ohio	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Oklahoma	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Oregon	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Pennsylvania	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
Rhode Island	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
South Carolina	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
South Dakota	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Tennessee	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Texas	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Utah	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Vermont	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Virginia	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Washington	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	All-party consent
West Virginia	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Wisconsin	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent
Wyoming	Video legal · Audio consent required	Public view legal · Audio consent required	One-party consent

The catch is audio, not video. Filming your own home, porch, or yard is almost always legal — it's the microphone that gets people in trouble. A security or doorbell camera that captures other people's conversations can violate the state recording law, even on your own property. Check your state's rule in the consent-states list.

Know the law — now handle it the right way

Understanding the rule is step one. The next step is the right professional — a licensed investigator or attorney who does this work and gathers evidence that holds up.

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Not sure yet? See how hiring works → · Any professional you choose confirms their license, scope, and fee before any work begins.

General legal information only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading it. Entries may be incomplete or outdated; confirm the current law at the official state code and consult a licensed attorney before recording, tracking, installing cameras, or gathering evidence.