The United States is one of the few countries that allow private citizens to own monkeys, but only certain states permit it. Primates like monkeys may be legally owned in a few states such as Arizona, Wyoming, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Missouri, Illinois, and Georgia.
In states like New York, Massachusetts, and California, primates may only be owned with a permit. It is important to remember that these laws can change, so it is best to check the state laws prior to obtaining a monkey.