Maine call recording law
Is Maine a one-party consent state?
One-party consent
Yes. Maine is a one-party consent state. Recording by the sender or receiver of a call, or by a person given prior authority by either one, is not an “interception” under Maine law (15 M.R.S. § 709).
Last checked October 13, 2026 · 11 quoted facts from official pages
Maine at a glance
- Phone calls
- One-party consent
- Criminal penalty
- Class C crime: up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual.
- Lawsuits
- Any party to an intercepted conversation may recover actual damages but not less than liquidated damages of $100 per day for each day of violation, plus a reasonable attorney's fee and litigation disbursements.
- Last checked
- October 13, 2026
The law
- 15 M.R.S. § 709(4) (definition of intercept) (official source, opens in a new tab)
- 15 M.R.S. § 710 (offenses) (official source, opens in a new tab)
- 15 M.R.S. § 711 (civil remedy) (official source, opens in a new tab)
- 17-A M.R.S. §§ 1604, 1704 (Class C imprisonment and fine) (official source, opens in a new tab)
Penalties
- Criminal
- Class C crime: up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual. Disclosing or using the contents of an intercepted communication is also a Class C crime.
- Civil (lawsuits)
- Any party to an intercepted conversation may recover actual damages but not less than liquidated damages of $100 per day for each day of violation, plus a reasonable attorney's fee and litigation disbursements.
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 Maine's law is a question for a lawyer licensed in Maine.
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
Recording by the sender or receiver is not 'interception'.
“through the use of any intercepting device by any person other than: A. The sender or receiver of that communication”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
A person given prior authority by the sender or receiver is also excluded (one-party consent).
“A person given prior authority by the sender or receiver.”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Intercept means to hear or record the contents of a wire or oral communication with an intercepting device.
“"Intercept" means to hear, record or aid another to hear or record the contents of any wire or oral communication”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Intentionally or knowingly intercepting a wire or oral communication is a Class C crime.
“intentionally or knowingly intercepts, attempts to intercept or procures any other person to intercept or attempt to intercept any wire or oral communication”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
The interception offense is classified as a Class C crime.
“any wire or oral communication is guilty of a Class C crime”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Knowingly disclosing the contents of an intercepted communication is also a Class C crime.
“discloses or attempts to disclose to any person the contents of any wire or oral communication, knowing that the information was obtained through interception”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
The maximum term for a Class C crime is 5 years.
“In the case of a Class C crime, 5 years;”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
The maximum fine for an individual convicted of a Class C crime is $5,000.
“In the case of a Class C crime, $5,000;”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Show 3 more facts
Any party to an intercepted conversation has a civil cause of action.
“Any party to a conversation intercepted, disclosed or used in violation of this chapter shall have a civil cause of action”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Damages are actual damages but not less than $100 per day of violation.
“Actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages, computed at the rate of $100 per day for each day of violation”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
A reasonable attorney's fee is recoverable.
“A reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation disbursements reasonably incurred.”
Source: legislature.maine.gov (official source, opens in a new tab) · read October 13, 2026
Maine call recording questions
Is Maine a one-party consent state?
Yes. Maine is a one-party consent state. Recording by the sender or receiver of a call, or by a person given prior authority by either one, is not an “interception” under Maine law (15 M.R.S. § 709).
What is the penalty for recording a call illegally in Maine?
Class C crime: up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual. Disclosing or using the contents of an intercepted communication is also a Class C crime.
What does Maine's law say about lawsuits over recorded calls?
Any party to an intercepted conversation may recover actual damages but not less than liquidated damages of $100 per day for each day of violation, plus a reasonable attorney's fee and litigation disbursements.