Is it legal to record a conversation in Texas? What the law says

Some disputes call for evidence. Whether it’s workplace drama, school meetings or an incident with viral potential, there are plenty of reasons you might want to record a conversation.

But in Texas, is it legal to record secretly? State laws draw a clear line on when hitting “record” is allowed.

Texas is a one-party consent state, meaning a conversation can be legally recorded if a person involved in the conversation consents to the recording. That person can be you. The law applies to both phone calls and in-person conversations.

So if you’re part of the conversation, you can usually record it without telling the other person. If you’re not part of the conversation, recording it without consent is typically illegal.

Secretly recording a conversation between two other people can be a criminal offense under Texas law if the people being recorded have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That typically includes private conversations in homes, offices or over the phone.

Conversations held in public spaces, where people can reasonably expect to be overheard, may not carry the same legal protections. Texas law hinges on whether the setting and circumstances justify an expectation of privacy, according to state statute and the Texas State Law Library.

Can I record conversations across state lines when in Texas?

When a conversation crosses state lines, the rules can change.

Some states, including California and Florida, require everyone on a call to consent to a recording. If you’re in Texas but recording a call with someone in one of those states, legal experts generally advise following the stricter all-party consent standard to avoid potential legal trouble.

Can I record my boss yelling at me?

Audio recordings of workplace confrontations have repeatedly gone viral, fueling online debate over conduct in the workplace. But whether recording a boss is legal is not the same as whether it is allowed.

Employers, schools and government bodies may impose their own rules that prohibit recording even when state law allows it.

In recent years, some Texas institutions — including the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD school board — have updated internal policies to require all-party consent for recordings in the wake of disputes over secretly recorded meetings and concerns about trust and transparency on boards.

Do you have to tell someone you're recording a call in Texas?

For Texans unsure whether to press record, legal experts often recommend a simple safeguard: ask first. While Texas law provides broad latitude, the consequences of getting it wrong — legally or professionally — can be significant.