How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Tattoos? What Does the Law Say in Each State?

Most of the states in the U.S demand that you be at least eighteen years old before you may get a tattoo. To have piercings, minors must accompany a parent or guardian to the appointment to sign the consent form, which must be done in person. We will be discussing “how old do you have to be to get tattoos” in detail in this post with each of the states covered.

If you’re a minor, certain tattoo shops may restrict the kind of piercings you may get. Ear and nose piercings, for example, maybe performed in shops without any issues. However, a parent’s permission may not be enough to acquire a tongue ring or navel piercing.

While kids are often acceptable to have body art, it is important to be aware of all the legal, social, and health issues before obtaining a tattoo or piercing, no matter how popular they may be.

Despite the fact that these laws may seem to be unjust at the moment, they serve a purpose. Getting your first tattoo is a minor is often discouraged. The majority of individuals who at a young age get a tattoo end up regretting it later on.

If you’re determined to get a tattoo as a minor, we strongly recommend having smaller tattoos rather than larger ones.

Tattoo For Minors: Can Parents Sign Consent?

You can have a tattoo or piercing in several states if you can receive your parent’s approval.

In certain areas, a parent or guardian may sign a paper granting authorization to a minor to have a tattoo or body piercing, although each state has established its own rules and restrictions throughout time (see below for a detailed list of legislation by state).

You may have a tattoo as a minor in several states provided you have written approval from your parents or guardians. These states include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, and Kentucky.

There are a number of states that will allow a parent or guardian to provide written approval for a minor to get a body piercing in those states that recognize it. These states include Utah, South Dakota, New York, Missouri, Maine, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Delaware, Colorado, and Alabama.

Only in very few jurisdictions does a minor need formal permission from a parent or guardian to receive a tattoo or piercing, and the parent or guardian must be present at the moment to sign a consent form.

You’ll need notarized written permission from your guardian to get a tattoo in Florida and Kentucky. Similarly, you’ll need notarized written consent to get piercings in Florida, Kentucky, and Georgia.

When it comes to getting a juvenile a tattoo, there are states that demand written approval from the minor’s parent or guardian, but there are others that require something more.

Arizona, Louisiana, Virginia, and Wyoming all require a parent or guardian to be in the room for the whole tattooing procedure if the child is under the age of 18.

As a minor in Wyoming, Virginia, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Illinois, and Arizona, you will also be required to have your parent or guardian accompany you in the whole process.

You should still bring your birth certificate and other forms of identification that confirm your age to the tattoo shop, even if you have permission from your parents. It’s better to be prepared than to arrive at a store and be turned away.

Can Babies Get Piercings or Tattoos By Their Parents?

If it’s for medical or dental purposes, parents may get their children tattoos or piercings.

Babies may be tattooed by their parents for medical reasons, such as radiation treatment or to determine which twin needs medicine.

Tattooing newborns for medical reasons typically necessitates the involvement of a licensed practitioner, such as a physician or an osteopath, who is trained in tattooing.

Aside from this, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of permanently marking a child’s skin with a tattoo. Piercing a baby’s ears, however, is less likely to provoke such a response.

Because most people believe that piercings are less damaging than tattoos, it is more acceptable for a newborn to have his or her ears pierced. According to this belief, several state laws allow kids to receive piercings with fewer legal restrictions as compared to getting tattoos.

It is because of this societal convention that many parents who wish to pierce their baby’s ears don’t believe they need a medical justification to do so. Pierced ears are so widespread in today’s society that most people would see nothing wrong with piercing a baby’s ears.

Despite the fact that piercing a baby’s ears is more socially acceptable than getting a tattoo, there aren’t many medical reasons to do so.

In reality, doctors encourage parents who want to pierce their children’s ears to do so only after thoroughly researching the risks involved.

It is recommended that babies be at least two months old before having their ears pierced, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.

A baby’s ability to localize pain begins to develop at the age of 5 or 6 months, which makes the procedure of piercing their ears more challenging.

According to AAP guidelines, piercing a child’s ears before the age of 6 months may cause a youngster to be afraid of discomfort, which should be taken into consideration when parents decide on the appropriate age for piercing.

The equipment or needles you use to pierce your baby’s ears must also be taken into consideration in addition to any infection risks. Make sure your baby’s ears are pierced by someone you can trust to avoid any potential problems caused by the use of unsterilized needles.

What Happens If You Misrepresent Your Age In Order to Get A Tattoo?

If you lie or falsify your age to get a tattoo, the shop or the person doing the tattooing may be legally punished, fined, or even incarcerated.

It’s possible to face legal action from the tattoo shop or individual you received your tattoo from if authorities discover that you lied regarding your age to acquire a tattoo. A misdemeanor charge, hundreds of dollars in fines, and possibly time in prison are possible consequences in certain jurisdictions.

Tattoo shops and individuals who tattoo kids without proper permission may have their licenses revoked by the authorities.

In addition to legal repercussions for the tattoo artist or business, your family might face repercussions if you lie about your age or fail to follow the correct procedures for getting a tattoo.

It’s possible that even if authorities do not penalize you for lying about your age to have a tattoo, you may still suffer criticism from society.

It is common for individuals to avoid getting a tattoo until they have reached a specific age since many cultures consider tattoos unsuitable for persons under a certain age.

If you get a tattoo while you’re young, you run the risk of being stigmatized as someone who doesn’t fit in with society’s norms.

One of the most common reasons why tattoos on young individuals are considered socially inappropriate is because many people believe children aren’t psychologically mature enough to get inked until they reach a particular age.

If you’ve done all you should before getting a tattoo as a minor, it’s possible that your actions won’t be seen as wholly undesirable. The opposite response may be taken against you if you acquire a tattoo and lie or misrepresent your age.

If you’re thinking of getting your infant or child a tattoo or piercing, do your research on the health, social, and legal implications beforehand.

It’s important to check with a licensed individual or shop in your state to see what restrictions or laws may be in place before getting a tattoo or piercing since each state’s standards and laws may vary.

Laws For Tattoo and Piercings by Each State in the U.S

Alabama

Tattoo –Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Alaska

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Arizona

Tattoo –Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Arkansas

Tattoo –Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

California

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Colorado

Tattoo –Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Connecticut

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Delaware

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Florida

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Georgia

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings –Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Hawaii

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Depending on the location of the piercing, this might vary.

Idaho

Tattoo – Anyone under 14 is not allowed. Anyone between the ages of 14 and 18 is eligible for parental permission.

Body Piercings – Anyone under the age of fourteen is prohibited. For those aged 14 to 18, parental permission is required.

Illinois

Tattoo –All minors are prohibited unless the work is done by a doctor.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Indiana

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Iowa

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – There are no laws in place.

Kansas

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Kentucky

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Louisiana

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Maine

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Maryland

Tattoo – There seem to be no laws at all.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Massachusetts

Tattoo – There are no laws in place.

Body Piercings – There are no laws in place.

Michigan

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Minnesota

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Mississippi

Tattoo –Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – For all minors, it is prohibited.

Missouri

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Montana

Tattoo –Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Nebraska

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Nevada

Tattoo – There are no laws in the state. There may be municipal ordinances in place in certain areas.

Body Piercings – There aren’t any rules at all.

New Hampshire

Tattoo –Even with parental agreement, it is illegal for anybody under the age of 18.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

New Jersey

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

New Mexico

Tattoo – There are no laws to speak of.

Body Piercings – Local regulations may demand parental permission, but there are no state laws requiring it.

New York

Tattoo –Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

North Carolina

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

North Dakota

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Ohio

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Oklahoma

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Oregon

Tattoo – There are no laws to speak of.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Pennsylvania

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Rhode Island

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

South Carolina

Tattoo – Anyone under the age of eighteen is prohibited. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 must have the permission of a parent or guardian.

Body Piercings –All children under the age of 18 are prohibited.

South Dakota

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – There aren’t any rules at all.

Tennessee

Tattoo – Anyone under the age of 16 is not allowed. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 18 must have written permission from both parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Texas

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Utah

Tattoo –Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Vermont

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – There are no laws in place.

Virginia

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Washington

Tattoo – Even with parental permission, this is not allowed for minors.

Body Piercings – There aren’t any rules at all.

West Virginia

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents.

Body Piercings – There aren’t any rules at all.

Wisconsin

Tattoo – Unless performed by a physician, the procedure is prohibited.

Body Piercings – There is a 16-year-old age restriction. Parents and guardians must be present when a minor is 16 to 17 years old.

Wyoming

Tattoo – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Body Piercings – Those who are under the age of 18 must have their permission granted by their parents. The parent must be present in the process.

Age Limit Laws For Tattoo and Piercing in Other Countries

Canada

Tattoos – If you’re under the age of 16, you’ll need the permission of your parents. If you’re older than 16, you don’t need your parents’ permission.

Body Piercings – If you’re under the age of 16, you’ll need the permission of your parents. If you’re older than 16, you don’t need your parents’ permission.

England

Tattoos –For those who are under the age of 18, this is off-limits.

Body Piercings – There are no rules.

Australia

Tattoos – Under the age of sixteen are not permitted. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 18 must get their parent’s permission.

Body Piercings –Between the ages of 16 and 18, depending on where you live in the nation, the legal age of consent varies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)