You have to be 18 or over to get a tattoo in most states - however, there are several states that will let you get a tattoo as a minor if you have written permission from a parent or guardian.
As tattoos are getting more popular, an increasing number of teens are eager to get them. So, a lot of you are probably wondering how old do you have to be to get tattoos. Well, as a tattoo artist who has worked in many different states, I am here to give you an answer.
Here is what you need to know about getting a tattoo as a minor, including which states have banned it outright.
In general, the minimum age to provide consent to get a tattoo is 18 years old. So, you have to be a legal adult before you can get a tattoo.
It's typically illegal for a minor, someone under the age of 18, to get a tattoo. However, in certain states, guardian or parental consent is enough for you to get a tattoo, even if you are underage.
There are other states in which it is completely illegal to get a tattoo regardless of whether or not you have informed consent from your parent or legal guardian.
In these instances, even having a parent or legal guardian present will not be enough.
There are several states that allow you to get a tattoo as long as you have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Here is a list of these states along with the kind of guardian or parental consent that is required:
According to Alabama body art laws, Alabama minors require written consent from either a parent or a legal guardian. For the written parental consent, the parent or legal guardian has to be present along with the minor.
The parent or legal guardian must sign their informed consent document in front of the tattoo artist or the employer of the artist.
In Arizona, written permission from the parent or legal guardian is required for someone younger than the minimum age. In addition to this, the parent or legal guardian is required to be present during the procedure.
Minors require prior written consent from a parent or legal guardian. In addition to parental consent, the parent or legal guardian must be present when the minor is getting a tattoo.
Colorado minors require written parental consent or consent from a guardian before they can get a tattoo.
Minors need to get written consent from their parent or legal guardian.
Minors need to bring guardian or parental consent in the form of written consent. As you provide written consent, you will also need to provide identification.
In Florida, minors cannot be tattooed legally without parental consent. However, written consent alone isn't enough. You require notarized consent and to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Georgia has quite a few rules when it comes to the tattooing of minors. If you're not at the minimum age of consent, you have to get a guardian's or parental consent.
Your parent or legal guardian must be present in person to provide this written consent. They will also be required to provide photo identification or government issued identification.
Those under the minimum age can only be tattooed by a licensed osteopath or technician or someone who is working directly under a licensed osteopath or technician.
If you are under the age of 16, you need to get approval from a licensed physician.
If you live in Hawaii and are below the minimum age, you require written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
In Idaho, teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 can get a tattoo with parental consent. Individuals below 14 can't get a tattoo under any circumstances.
Not only do you need written consent from a parent or legal guardian, but they must be present at the time you're getting the tattoo.
If you are under the minimum age, you have to get parental consent if you want to get a tattoo in Kansas. The parent or legal guardian has to provide written notarized consent. They must also be present during the procedure.
If you're taking a guardian with you, you have to provide proof of their guardianship.
There are some rumors about married Kansas minors being allowed to get tattoos without parental consent. However, there is no such law stating this.
If Kentucky minors wish to get a tattoo, they have to be at least 16 years of age. In addition to this, a parent or guardian should consent.
It must be notarized written consent and contain the following information:
In Louisiana, if you want to get a tattoo or body piercing as a minor, you need to bring your parent or guardian to the shop with you. They must provide their consent at that point.
In Michigan, if you are a minor, you have to get written consent from your parent or legal guardian. The minor's parent or guardian also has to provide evidence of their relationship to the minor.
In Minnesota, you are required to get the consent of a parent before you can get a tattoo. Either a custodial or noncustodial parent can sign written consent.
However, there is nothing in the law mentioning a legal guardian.
Missouri minors can get a tattoo with parental consent. The parent or guardian's consent must be given in the presence of the person tattooing you or another employee of the shop.
Montana minors have to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in person. Your parent or guardian also should remain with you until the tattoo procedure is completed.
If you live in the state of Nebraska, you have to get written consent from a parent or guardian before you can get a tattoo.
According to Nevada state law, if you are under the age of 18, you have to get written consent from a parent or legal guardian. You also have to provide proof of your relationship to your parent or legal guardian.
In New Jersey, you have to get prior written consent from a parent or legal guardian if you are a minor.
New Mexico minors cannot be tattooed without parental consent, although the consent of a legal guardian will work as well.
North Dakota minors can get a tattoo as long as their parent or guardian fills out the consent forms. The adult must be present during the procedure.
Minors in Ohio can only be tattooed if they have the permission of their parent or guardian. This individual must also be present at the shop.
A parent or legal guardian must provide written consent before a minor can be tattooed. They must also provide proof of identity.
You need to get consent from a parent or guardian. They must also be present at the time of getting the tattoo.
Minors require written consent for them to be tattooed within state lines.
Minor over the age of 16 can get a tattoo but their parent must be present. This is typically only allowed if the minor has an existing tattoo that they would like to cover up.
In Texas, a minor's parent needs to provide written consent and must be present for the tattoo. The adult also has to believe that the tattoo is in the best interest of the minor. It is only allowed for those who want to cover an existing tattoo, particularly one that is considered inappropriate or obscene.
Utah minors have to get permission from their parent or legal guardian before they can get a tattoo.
Vermont minors must get written consent from their parent or legal guardian to get a tattoo.
Minor needs their parent or legal guardian to be present during the procedure.
West Virginia minors require written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Parents need to provide verbal consent for their minor to get a tattoo. They must also be present.
In the following states, tattoo artists are forbidden to tattoo minors:
Despite being rather liberal when it comes to most things, the laws regarding tattoos are pretty strict for minors. It is illegal for a minor to get a tattoo regardless of parental consent.
In the state of Illinois, it is completely illegal for anyone other than a medical professional or a licensed physician to tattoo minors. Body modification will only be allowed, provided that there is a medical reason for it.
You can't get a tattoo even with verbal consent or written notarized consent from your parent or legal guardian. Minors are not allowed in a tattoo shop unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
In Iowa, it is illegal for a tattoo artist to tattoo minors. If you're under the minimum age, you can't be tattooed, even if you have a signed consent form from your parent or legal guardian. Having physical parental consent will not help your case either.
It is not possible for a minor to get a tattoo in the state of Maine, even if they have the consent of a parent or guardian.
The body piercing laws are different - you can get an ear piercing if you have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
The law in Maryland is quite strict, particularly in Baltimore. Artists can't provide minors with a tattoo, even if they get the consent of a parent.
What's more, the Health Department receives complaints of the tattooing of minors and they take action based on these reports.
It is illegal for minors to be tattooed in the state of Massachusetts. Based on the regulations set for businesses, this holds true even if you have the consent of a parent.
In Mississippi, minors can't be tattooed, even with parental consent.
New Hampshire minors cannot be tattooed in any capacity. Even providing parental consent will not be considered an exemption.
What's more, anyone caught tattooing a minor could be charged with child endangerment.
In New York, it is illegal for a minor to get a tattoo. Getting consent from a parent or guardian will not change this.
It is illegal for a minor in North Carolina to get a tattoo, regardless of whether or not they have parental consent.
According to Oklahoma law, no minor is allowed to get a tattoo - parental consent doesn't matter here.
Minors cannot be tattooed, even with parental consent.
Minors cannot be tattooed in South Carolina.
It is illegal to tattoo a minor in Washington, even if they do have parental consent.
It is illegal to tattoo a minor unless it is by a physician in the course of their professional practice.
This is what you need to know about where you can and can't get a tattoo as a minor.
