Getting a tattoo or a piercing is always exciting, especially the first time. But such physical and life-altering experiences for young adults shouldn’t be taken lightly. That is why many parents and youngsters are concerned about one issue: the minimum age for getting a tattoo or piercing.
So, what legal age to get a tattoo is required? The minimum age is 18 in all states of the United States. The legal drinking age is also 18 in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Depending on the state, you can occasionally be allowed to get a minor with parental consent.
With the approval of their parents or legal guardians, a child can get a tattoo; however, some states may not accept parental authorization if the minor is under a specific age. A tattoo is something you should not hurry into or get done illegally, especially if you are a kid.
What Is The Earliest Legal Age To Get A Tattoo?
The laws governing tattooing differ from nation to country and even from state within the U. S., making it challenging to provide a definitive response to this topic. No matter where you live, the age limit for getting a tattoo in the United States is 18.
You won’t need to obtain parental authorization at this age, sign any additional consent papers, have your age confirmed, or be concerned about disobeying any state laws. Each state has its own regulations on the application of body alteration and body art to minors, and there are also additional municipal regulations.
In accordance with 38 state legislation, children may have tattoos with their parents’ knowledge and approval or in their presence. But due to safety and liability concerns, most tattoo artists won’t ink anyone younger than 15 or 16.
However, the majority of professional studios do not feel at ease tattooing children under the age of 16. Even if the parent is there, many tattoo artists will deny the work due to factors including the child’s physical development, intellectual growth, and emotional stability, as well as the fact that getting a tattoo is essentially a medical procedure.
If a customer says they are 18, but it turns out they were inked without parental or guardian authorization, the tattoo artist and their shop run the possibility of paying significant fines that may even force them to close.
There are two principal reasons why the age to get tattoo limits and tattoo laws are in place:
Legislators frequently disapprove of tattoos since they are typically from older, more traditional generations. As a result, they utilize their political influence to make it difficult to obtain tattoos or to effectively ban them, which makes it more challenging for businesses to comply.
The Professional Process OF Getting A Tattoo
The second reason for age to get tattoo limitations is that getting a tattoo is a medical procedure that must follow specific criteria. Tattooing comes with some dangers, especially when done on children. If a shop’s equipment is not adequately sanitized and does not follow t basic requirements, viruses, diseases, and germs can spread quickly.
List Of States And Their Rules Regarding Tattooing Children Under The Age
The United States has an 18-year-old minimum legal age to get a tattoo requirement nationwide. That implies that anyone over the age of 18 can get a tattoo without parental permission. However, the legality of getting a tattoo while still a minor varies by state. Learn about the laws in the state where you intend to get your tattoo before you begin the planning process.
The minimum age to get tattoo is not stated. In order to get minors should acquire their guardians’ informed written approval, which must be signed in front of the tattoo artist.
Alaska
If you’re 18 or older, you can have a tattoo. Both written and physical permission from a parent or guardian is required for the procedure.
Arizona
Although the minimum age is not stated, a parent or guardian must be present when the procedure is done. Some shops allow minors to get tattoos with the written permission of their parents or guardians.
Arkansas
Young individuals who are at least 18 years old can receive a tattoo or a body piercing. It is prohibited to perform any of these procedures on children.
Tattoos are permitted for young individuals aged 18 and over. The procedure must be performed with a parent or adult present. Nipples and the genital region cannot be tattooed.
Colorado
With the written parental agreement, young individuals 18 or older may have a tattoo. The operation requires the presence of a parent or guardian.
Connecticut
No minimum legal age to get a tattoo is mentioned. It is necessary to have parental or guardian consent.
D.C.
18+-year-olds can obtain tattoos; however, body piercing is not permitted. Parental or guardian approval must be obtained in writing.
Anyone 18 years or older may receive a tattoo or a body piercing and mandatory written permission that has been certified for a particular procedure.
Florida
Anyone aged 16 or older may acquire a tattoo or a body piercing. It is necessary to have a parent or guardian present, along with picture identification, proof of guardianship, and notarized consent.
Georgia
18+-year-olds can obtain tattoos, and for getting tattoos, parental or guardian approval must be received in writing.
Hawaii
No minimum age is mentioned. It is necessary to get formal parental or guardian approval for tattooing operations.
Idaho
Teenagers who are at least 14 years old can obtain a tattoo. Written, informed parental/guardian permission is essential, as is the presence of a parent/guardian during the procedure.
Teenagers who are 16 years old or older can receive a tattoo. For tattoos, a parent or guardian must give written permission and be present during the process.
Maine
18+-year-olds can obtain tattoos; however, parental or guardian permission is necessary by law.
Maryland
There is no mention of the minimum age. But young adults should get written permission from their parents or guardians, and that permission should be kept on file for three years.
Massachusetts
With the exception of the genital region, young adults 18 or older may receive tattoos. A parent could present identification and sign the consent form in the case of non-genital tattoos.
Michigan
No minimum age is mentioned. Parental or guardian approval is required in writing and must also be presented with physical presence for tattooing.
Teenagers who are 18 years or above can get tattoos. Moreover, youngsters are not allowed to have tattoos on their nipples or genital area.
Missouri
There is no minimum age for getting a tattoo, whereas a written agreement with the signature of a parent or guardian is essential.
Montana
No age limit is mentioned. A parent or legal guardian must express “explicit” permission “in person” and be present throughout the procedure.
Nebraska
There is no mention of the minimum age to get a tattoo. However, the operation requires a parent or guardian’s written agreement and physical presence.
Nevada
Insufficient information is available. Tattoos, piercings, and other body art are not prohibited under Nevada law. Regional health districts could govern these procedures.
Young adults who are at least 18 years old are allowed to have tattoos. A parent or legal guardian must provide written approval for piercings and be present throughout the process.
New Jersey
Tattoos are legal for young adults 16 and older, but the procedures require the written permission of a parent or legal guardian.
North Mexico
There is no minimum age requirement. Parents or guardians must sign a written consent form and be present throughout the procedure.
Anyone 18 years of age or older can obtain a tattoo. Without specific written approval from both parents or legal guardians, who must also be present throughout the tattooing process, youngsters cannot get inked.
North Carolina
Young adults who are at least 18 years old are allowed to have tattoos. But even with parental or guardian approval, minors cannot have tattoos.
There is no minimum age requirement. Written parental or guardian consent is necessary, and both must be present during the procedure.
Ohio
The minimum age to get tattoo is not specified. The procedure requires the written approval of both parents or legal guardians, who must also be present.
Oklahoma
Tattoos are legal for young adults 18 and older. Children under 18 cannot have tattoos without their written, signed, and parent or guardian’s presence. However, scleral tattooing is prohibited by Oklahoma law.
Oregon
Young adults who are at least 18 years old are allowed to have tattoos. Minors can be tattooed with the permission of a doctor.
Pennsylvania
No minimum age is mentioned. Minors cannot get inked without written approval from both parents or legal guardians, who must also be present throughout the tattooing process.
Young adults who are at least 18 years old are allowed to have tattoos. It is illegal to tattoo children. Also, tattoos on the head, face, or neck are banned.
South Dakota
No age restriction is mentioned, and parental or guardian authorization is required for body piercings and tattoos.
Tennessee
Tattoos are permitted for young individuals aged 18 and over. A parent or legal guardian must obtain written authorization and be present for any tattoos or tattoos that cover already-existing tattoos.
Texas
While body piercings are permitted for young adults 18 and older, tattoos are not.
Parental or guardian agreement is required in writing and presence for tattoos that cover already-existing tattoos.
Utah
There is no declared minimum age. The process requires a parent or guardian’s written consent, identification, and presence.
No minimum age is mentioned, and there is no specific information available.
Virginia
No minimum age is given. But during the procedure, a parent or guardian must be present.
Washington
Young adults who are at least 18 years old are allowed to have tattoos; However, teens cannot get tattooed. There is no more data available.
West Virginia
There is no indication of minimum age. A parent or legal representative must sign off in writing.
Wisconsin
Tattoos are permitted for young individuals aged 18 and over. People under the age of 18 are not allowed to have tattoos. As part of their professional practice, doctors are permitted to do tattooing.
Wyoming
The age restriction is not specified. Verbal agreement and the physical presence of a parent or guardian are required for the procedure. ID is used to confirm age.
Minors must have parental permission to get a tattoo.Body art regulations and restrictions in Alabama do not apply to ear piercing.
Arizona
18+
Minors must be tattooed or pierced in the presence of the parent.
Arkansas
18+
Minors must have a parent’s signature before they may get tattooed or pierced.
Alaska
18+
Kids are not allowed to have tattoos.Minors can have their earlobe pierced with parental permission.
California
18+
During the technique, a parental or custodian must be there.Teenagers with parent approval could have their earlobe punctured.Piercing or tattooing of the genital section or nipples is not legalized.
Colorado
18+
With the documented parental agreement, young adults can obtain a tattoo and a body penetrating.During the process, a parent and custodian must be there.
Connecticut
The least age isn’t clear.
Minors must have parental approval, AND a physician or registered nurse must be there during tattooing.Minors may get their earlobe pierced without the permission of their parent.
District of Columbia
18+
Tattoos are acceptable for young adults, and piercing is permitted.It is necessary to have written parental/guardian consent.Minors with parental approval can have their earlobe pierced.
Delaware
18+
For a specific process, verified written consent was essential.There aren’t any rules governing youngsters or ear penetrating.
Florida
16+
A parent must be there, along with evidence of responsibility, picture identification, and handwritten authorization.Piercing for dental and medical purposes is approved if complete by a dentist or doctor.
Georgia
18+
Tattoos are allowed for young adults who are 18 plus, and piercing is official. Body piercing procedures involve written parent/custodian approval.Teenagers without parental authorization can have their earlobe punctured.
Hawaii
There isn’t any lowest age limit.
Written parental/guardian approval is necessary for tattooing and penetrating operations.
Idaho
14+
Minors between the ages of 14 and 18 require the written authorization and presence of a parent and even legal guardian to have a piercing or ink.
Illinois
18+
Youngsters are not allowed to enter a tattoo shop without the presence of a parent and legal guardian. Youngsters are not legalized to get tattoos.Minors can get their earlobe punctured without parental consent.
Indiana
The bottom age isn’t defined.
To undergo a piercing or ink, minors must have a written contract and the existence of a parent and even a legal guardian.
Iowa
18+
It is against the law to tattoo a child.There aren’t any laws against body piercing.
Kansas
16+
A parent and even caretaker should offer written, signed consent and be available throughout the task.Children can get their earlobes punctured without the approval of their paternities.
Kentucky
There isn’t any lowest age obligation.
Written, signed consent from parents or guardians is compulsory.The Ear also penetrating necessities to be verified, with written permission.
Louisiana
16+
For minors to have a tattoo and piercing, parental or custodian consent is required.
Maine
18+
Tattooing a child is prohibited.For minors to get pierced, parental or custodian authorization must be provided in writing.
Maryland
The lowest age isn’t clear.
Age restrictions for body piercing and tattoos are not currently regulated by legislation.Young adults must have written permission from the parent or caretaker, and that permission must be kept on file for three years.
Massachusetts
18+
18+-year-olds can obtain a tattoo and a piercing, but not in the genital region.A parent can present identification and sign the consent form in the case of non-genital body piercing.
Michigan
No lowest age is mentioned.
A parent and even custodian must give written, informed consent and be there for body piercing and tattooing procedures.There isn’t any age restriction or requirement for parental approval in cases when children have their earlobe pierced.
Minnesota
18+
Youngsters are not allowed to have a nipple or genital tattoo or piercing.The division of the tongue, subdermal implantation, and other types of common body adaptation are not permitted for minors.
Mississippi
18
It is against the law to tattoo or pierce a minor.
Missouri
There isn’t any specified minimum age.
A parent/caretaker should provide an on-paper contract and be available throughout the technique for both piercings and tattoos.There isn’t any info for teenagers who need to get their earlobes punctured.
Montana
There isn’t any least age obligation.
A parent and custodian should offer “clear,” “in-person” consent and be available throughout the procedure.There isn’t any info for teenagers who desire to get their earlobe pierced.
Nebraska
The minimum age isn’t given.
A parent and protector should sign a consent letter and be there during the task.Piercing doesn’t include the ear’s exterior components.
Nevada
There isn’t any information provided.
There are presently no age restrictions for tattoos or body piercing.Tattoo and piercing parlors are not regulated by the state.
New Hampshire
18+
A parent/custodian should sign a written consent letter and be there through the piercing procedure.Youngsters are not allowed to be tattooed or marked, although they can have their earlobe punctured without parental authorization.
New Jersey
16+
Both procedures require written parental/guardian consent.Minors can get their earlobes punctured with parental permission.
New Mexico
There isn’t any least age requirement.
Minors require written authorization and the existence of a parent and caretaker while getting a tattoo and piercing.
New York
18+
Teenagers are not allowed to be inked unless they have recognized and signed a parental/caretaker agreement, and both must be there thru the procedure.Minors can get their earlobe punctured without parental consent.
North Carolina
18+
Even with parent or caretaker approval, tattoos cannot be applied to teenagers.Youngsters can attain their ears punctured without parental consent.
North Dakota
There isn’t any age requirement.
Both parents/guardians must give written approval and be available thru the process.There isn’t any info for children who desire to get their earlobe pierced.
Ohio
The minimum age isn’t specified.
Both parents/guardians must give written approval and be there throughout the system.Minors cannot have their earlobe pierced unless they have parental/custodian authorization and are present during the process.
Oklahoma
18+
Teenagers are not allowed to be inked unless they have recognized and signed a parental/guardian agreement, and both must be there throughout the surgery.Oklahoma rule does not ban earlobe penetrating; however, scleral tattooing is banned.
Oregon
18+
A parent/custodian should give written consent and evidence of identity for body piercings.Minors can be inked with the consent of a doctor.
Pennsylvania
There isn’t any age necessity.
Teenagers are not legalized to be inked unless they have recognized and signed a parental/guardian agreement, and both must be there throughout the technique.There isn’t any information on minors or ear piercings.
Rhode Island
18+
Teenagers cannot be inked, although they can have their earlobe pierced with the permission of a parent and even a custodian.
South Carolina
18+
Tattooing isn’t legalized for children. They are allowed to attain their earlobe punctured if the parent and even carer have given on paper certified consent and are there during the practice.Inkings on the face and head are still illegal.
South Dakota
The minimum age isn’t specified.
A parent should sign a consent letter for inking and piercings.There isn’t info on youngsters or ear penetrating.
Tennessee
18+
A minor over the age of 18 may obtain a tattoo to cover a current tattoo, but they should have their parent there and have ID.Minors must have written approval and the availability of a parent and even legal guardian to get pierced.
Texas
18+
Minors must have written permission and the availability of a parent and even legal guardian to obtain a tattoo.Only if it is to hide an ‘excessive or offensive’ tattoo and the parent feels it is ‘in the best interests of the child.’Body piercing laws and regulations do not apply to ear piercing.
Utah
There isn’t any smallest age obligation.
A parent and even a caretaker should give written authorization, offer confirmation of identity, and be there thru the procedure.Minors can get their earlobes punctured without the approval of the parent or custodians.
Vermont
No lowest age is mentioned.
Minors must have the written permission of a parent and legal guardian before getting a piercing or ink.There isn’t any further info presented.
Virginia
There isn’t any reference for minimum age.
During the process, a parent should be there.Minors can have their earlobe punctured without the consent or presence of the parent or custodians.
Washington
18+
It is contrary to the regulation of tattoo teenagers.Nothing further is known at this time.
West Virginia,
No lowest age is mentioned.
A parent and even a caretaker must propose written consent.
Wisconsin
18+
Tattooing isn’t lawful for teenagers below 18.Tattooing and penetrating can be performed by a doctor as a form of expert training.
Wyoming
Not least age is mentioned.
A parent and custodian should give verbal consent and be there throughout the practice.According to Wyoming state law, procedures are carried out under the direction of a trained doctor.
Getting a tattoo or piercing under the age of 14 is risky and it can be complicated. However, there are twenty-four states that permit minors under the age of 14 to have tattoos or some sort of piercing including ear piercing with parent or guardian written approval, caretaker present, or both.
This written approval is for the safety of both the minor and the artist. According to Iowa law, married children are exempt from parental consent requirements while getting tattoos.
However, just because state law allows it does not guarantee that a tattoo artist will agree to tattoo a 14-year-old. Most artists will refuse anyone under the age of 15, regardless of their consent.
Tattooing a kid, even with parental agreement, is a crime in several areas. Tattoos are permanent, and many people consider that kids are not old enough to make knowledgeable choices.
Is It Illegal For Teenagers To Have Hand And Neck Tattoos?
In most places, tattoo parlors will avoid tattooing a child’s hands, face, or neck because of possible legal or medical implications for the parlor or the artist. Some states expressly prohibit face tattoos.
The purpose of the rules is to protect your health and safety as well as the health and safety of the tattoo artist and the store.
Furthermore, it is a strict rule in Denmark for tattoo artists not to ink a child’s neck, head, or hands. In several states, it is illegal to acquire a tattoo on one’s face. A tattoo cannot be placed within an inch of your eyes, for instance, in Georgia.
You also cannot get offensive or hateful pictures tattooed, and most artists will decline to do so. Tattooing on children is illegal in Texas, except to cover up existing obscene or offensive designs.
Megan started working as a tattoo artist four years ago and joined Psychotats in 2021. She majorly travels to the US to tattoo people at gatherings or tattoo shows. Not restricted to creating boundaries, she loves to make her work visible to the world. As a treasured artist, she has a specialty in creating cartoon drawings and character work. With unique forms, she loves to create cute images that mix with extreme tattoo images.
