Kentucky call recording law
Is Kentucky a one-party consent state?
One-party consent
Yes. Kentucky is a one-party consent state. To eavesdrop means to record a wire or oral communication of others without the consent of at least one party to it (KRS 526.010), and eavesdropping is a Class D felony (KRS 526.020).
Last checked October 13, 2026 · 9 quoted facts from official pages
Kentucky at a glance
- Phone calls
- One-party consent
- Criminal penalty
- Eavesdropping is a Class D felony: an indeterminate sentence of 1 to 5 years and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000 (or double the gain, if greater).
- Last checked
- October 13, 2026
The law
- KRS 526.010 (definition of eavesdrop) (official source, opens in a new tab)
- KRS 526.020 (eavesdropping) (official source, opens in a new tab)
- KRS 526.060 (divulging illegally obtained information) (official source, opens in a new tab)
- KRS 532.060, 534.030 (felony imprisonment and fines) (official source, opens in a new tab)
Penalties
- Criminal
- Eavesdropping is a Class D felony: an indeterminate sentence of 1 to 5 years and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000 (or double the gain, if greater). Knowingly using or divulging information obtained through eavesdropping is a Class A misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500.
What this means for a business that records calls
Callers can be in any state. The state-by-state table compares every state's rule, and the disclosure generator writes a plain notice sentence such as “This call may be recorded.” Whether a notice is enough under Kentucky's law is a question for a lawyer licensed in Kentucky.
Recording notices on CallFlux numbers
CallFlux plays a recording notice to callers on every tracking number that records, before the call connects.
What the official sources say
To eavesdrop is to record a wire or oral communication of others without the consent of at least one party (one-party consent).
“any part of a wire or oral communication of others without the consent of at least one (1) party thereto”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Using any device to eavesdrop is the crime of eavesdropping.
“A person is guilty of eavesdropping when he intentionally uses any device to eavesdrop, whether or not he is present at the time.”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Eavesdropping is a Class D felony.
“Eavesdropping is a Class D felony.”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
A Class D felony carries 1 to 5 years.
“For a Class D felony, not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years.”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
A felony conviction carries a fine of $1,000 to $10,000, or double the gain if greater.
“not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or double his gain”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Knowingly using or divulging information obtained through eavesdropping is a separate offense.
“knowingly uses or divulges information obtained through eavesdropping”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
That offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
“Divulging illegally obtained information is a Class A misdemeanor.”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
The fine for a Class A misdemeanor may not exceed $500.
“For a Class A misdemeanor, five hundred dollars ($500)”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Show 1 more fact
KRS 526.020’s history line shows it was created in 1974 and took effect January 1, 1975.
“Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 227, effective January 1, 1975.”
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Kentucky call recording questions
Is Kentucky a one-party consent state?
Yes. Kentucky is a one-party consent state. To eavesdrop means to record a wire or oral communication of others without the consent of at least one party to it (KRS 526.010), and eavesdropping is a Class D felony (KRS 526.020).
What is the penalty for recording a call illegally in Kentucky?
Eavesdropping is a Class D felony: an indeterminate sentence of 1 to 5 years and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000 (or double the gain, if greater). Knowingly using or divulging information obtained through eavesdropping is a Class A misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500.