There's always been some debate about what the appropriate age is for getting your first tattoo. Parents are understandably worried that their little ones will regret their decision later on in life, while some people feel like they're not old enough to make up their own minds. But how old do you actually have to be to get your first tattoo?
Inking or piercing your body is often a thrilling experience, especially if it's your first time…. However, such physically and psychologically transformative occurrences for young adults should never be taken lightly. Many parents, as well as kids, are concerned about one particular issue: the minimum age requirement for getting a tattoo or piercing done. So, without further ado, let's have a look at the minimum age requirements in each state, as well as in some other places of the globe.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Tattoo by State?
To get a tattoo in Connecticut, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to get a tattoo must first obtain the written agreement of a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Delaware, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Florida, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must have the written, notarized consent of a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Georgia, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Unless otherwise specified, all tattooing of children under the age of majority must be performed by a certified osteopath or technician functioning under the direct supervision of a registered physician or osteopath
Piercing requires documented informed consent from a parent or legal guardian before it can be performed.
To get a tattoo in Hawaii, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to get a tattoo must first obtain the written agreement of a parent or legal guardian.
There are no age restrictions on body piercings at this time.
In Alabama, what age do you have to be in order to get a tattoo?
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Is it necessary to be a certain age in order to get a tattoo in Alaska?
Tattoos are not permitted for minors.
Obtaining written parental permission and having a parent or legal guardian present during the procedure are both requirements for body piercing.
To get a tattoo in Arizona, you must be at least eighteen years old.
A piercing or tattoo can only be performed in the presence of a parent or legal guardian if the minor is under the age of majority.
To get a tattoo in Arkansas, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo must have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian, and a parent or guardian must be present at the time of the procedure.
In California, what age do you have to be in order to get a tattoo?
Tattooing a juvenile is against the law.
The presence of a parent or legal guardian, as well as their notarized consent, is essential in order to receive a piercing other than an ear piercing.
To get a tattoo in Colorado, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Idaho, you must be at least 18 years old.
Minors under the age of 14 are not permitted to have tattoos, branding, or body piercing done.
Minors between the ages of 14 and 18 must have written approval from a parent or legal guardian, as well as be in the presence of the parent or legal guardian.
In Illinois, what age do you have to be in order to get a tattoo?
Minors are not permitted to enter a tattoo parlour without the presence of a parent or legal guardian. Minors are not permitted to get tattooed.
In Indiana, what age do you have to be in order to get a tattoo?
To have a piercing or a tattoo, a minor must have written permission from their parent or legal guardian, as well as be present.
To get a tattoo in Iowa, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Tattooing a juvenile is against the law.
There are no restrictions on body piercing.
To get a tattoo in Kansas, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo must have written, notarized consent as well as the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Kentucky, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written, notarized approval from a parent or legal guardian first.
To get a tattoo in Louisiana, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Maine, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Tattooing a juvenile is against the law.
Minors who wish to have a piercing must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Maryland, you must be at least eighteen years old.
There are no age restrictions for tattoos or body piercings in place at this time.
To get a tattoo in Massachusetts, you must be at least eighteen years old.
There are no age restrictions for tattoos or body piercings in place at this time.
To get a tattoo in Michigan, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have their ears pierced must obtain written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Consent must be granted verbally in the presence of another individual.
To get a tattoo in Minnesota, you must be at least 18 years old.
Tattooing a juvenile is against the law.
A juvenile must have witnessed written agreement from a parent or legal guardian before they can have their ears pierced. Minors are not permitted to have genital or nipple piercings, branding, scarification, suspension, subdermal implantation, microdermal implantation, or tongue bifurcation done.
To get a tattoo in Mississippi, you must be at least eighteen years old.
It is against the law to tattoo or pierce a minor's body.
To get a tattoo in New York, you must be at least 18 years old.
Tattooing a juvenile is against the law.
Piercings require the written approval of the child's parents.
To get a tattoo in North Carolina, you must be at least eighteen years old.
It is against the law to tattoo or pierce a minor's body.
To get a tattoo in North Dakota, you must be at least 18 years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from their parents or legal guardians and must be present.
What age do you have to be to get a tattoo in the state of Ohio?
A consent form must be signed by the parent or guardian, and the parent or guardian must be present in person when the procedure is conducted.
To get a tattoo in Oklahoma, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Tattooing a juvenile is against the law.
A body piercing can only be performed in the presence of a parent or legal guardian, who must also provide written authorization.
To get a tattoo in Missouri, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
A written consent cannot be accepted; it must be delivered in person.
Is it necessary to be a certain age in order to get a tattoo in Montana?
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
A written consent cannot be accepted; it must be delivered in person.
To get a tattoo in Nebraska, you must be at least eighteen years old.
A minor must have the written approval of a parent or legal guardian in order to have a piercing or tattoo performed on him or her.
To get a tattoo in Nevada, you must be at least eighteen years old.
There are no age restrictions for tattoos or body piercings in place at this time.
Tattoo and piercing establishments are not regulated by the state.
To get a tattoo in New Hampshire, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have their ears pierced must obtain written permission from their parents or legal guardians and be present throughout the procedure.
To get a tattoo in New Jersey, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Tattoos on minors are only permitted with written consent from the minor's parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in New Mexico, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors must have written agreement, as well as the presence of a parent or guardian, before having a tattoo or piercing done.
To get a tattoo in Oregon, you must be at least eighteen years old.
A parent or guardian must offer written authorization and provide identification before the child can be admitted.
It is only with the permission of a physician that minors can have their bodies tattooed.
Pennsylvania
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from their parents or legal guardians and must be present.
To get a tattoo in Rhode Island, you must be at least eighteen years old.
A piercing can only be performed in the presence of a parent or legal guardian if the minor is over the age of 18.
Minors are not permitted to get tattooed.
To get a tattoo in South Carolina, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors under the age of 18 are not permitted to have tattoos without the approval of their parents.
A parent or guardian must either offer written, notarized approval or be present during the procedure in order for a body piercing to be performed.
To get a tattoo in South Dakota, you must be at least 18 years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Tennessee, you must be at least eighteen years old.
A kid older than 16 years of age may receive a tattoo to conceal an existing tattoo, but they must have their parent present and show identification.
Minors who wish to have their ears pierced must obtain written permission from their parents or legal guardians and be present throughout the procedure.
To get a tattoo in Texas, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who want to get a tattoo must have written permission from their parents or legal guardians, as well as their presence.
Only if the tattoo is to hide a ‘obscene or offensive' tattoo and the parent believes it is ‘in the best interest of the child' is it acceptable.
Proof of paternity or guardianship is required for an adult.
In West Virginia, what age do you have to be in order to get a tattoo?
Minors who wish to get a tattoo must first obtain the written agreement of a parent or legal guardian.
There are no age restrictions on body piercing in place at this time.
To get a tattoo in Wisconsin, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Tattooing a minor, other than a youngster who is a physician in the course of his or her professional practise, is prohibited.
There are no age restrictions on body piercing in place at this time.
To get a tattoo in Wyoming, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors must have verbal approval from a parent or legal guardian before they can have a piercing or tattoo done, and the parent or guardian must be present throughout the procedure.
To get a tattoo in Utah, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who want to get a piercing or a tattoo must get the permission of a parent or legal guardian first.
To get a tattoo in Vermont, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo done must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
To get a tattoo in Virginia, you must be at least eighteen years old.
Minors under the age of majority must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in order to obtain a piercing or tattoo – this does not include ear piercing.
What age do you have to be in order to get a tattoo in Washington State?
Tattooing a juvenile is against the law.
There are no age restrictions on body piercing in place at this time.
What is the earliest age at which a tattoo can be obtained?
The legal age for getting a tattoo in the United States is 18 years old. This is the age at which you will not be required to obtain permission from your parents, sign any further consent papers, have your age verified, or worry about breaching any state laws.
Every state has its own set of rules governing the application of body art and body alteration on minors, and many localities have their own set of laws as well.
In terms of age, there is no restriction on how young a person can be while getting a tattoo, technically speaking.
With informed parental agreement or in the presence of the parent, tattooing on juveniles is legal in 38 states, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. This does not imply that a baby can simply crawl into the shop and receive a tattoo, though.
Most tattoo artists will not tattoo anyone under the age of 15 or 16, for the sake of their own safety and legal liability.
Is it illegal for minors to get tattoos on their hands and necks?
There aren't many laws that specifically prohibit kids from getting inked, however individual tattoo shops do place restrictions on where they will tattoo minors.
Most tattoo parlours will not tattoo on a minor's hands, fingers, or neck for a variety of reasons.
It is the intent of these limits to safeguard the minor, their parents, the tattoo artist and business from any legal or medical implications that may result.
In several states, it is not permissible for someone to have a tattoo on their face.
If you get a tattoo within one inch of your eyes, for example, you are breaking the law in Georgia. Additionally, you are not permitted to have derogatory or malicious pictures inked, and most tattoo artists will decline to execute designs of this nature.
Tattooing on juveniles is strictly forbidden in Texas, with the exception of covering up existing vulgar or offensive images.
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What Are The Laws For Getting A Tattoo?
In the United States, the minimum age for receiving a tattoo is 18 years old. Some states have different laws about who can receive a tattoo. In California, for example, those under 18 must have parental or guardian consent. In Tennessee, those under 18 cannot be tattooed at all. Theoretically, parents should not allow minors to receive tattoos because children are more likely to have allergic reactions and infections from tattoos.
In France, the law forbids anyone under 18 from being tattooed because there is a high risk that something could go wrong with an inexperienced artist who would be working on a younger person's body.
Is It Safe To Get A Tattoo?
Tattoos are permanent body art that can be created using an ink-filled needle that punctures the skin repeatedly to deposit ink. The tattoo artist's needle moves along the design, puncturing many times to complete an image. Tattooing was originally done by hand with a sharpened needle, but modern tattoos can be made more quickly and with less discomfort by using an electric tattoo machine.
Should you get your first tattoo when in college?
If you are in college, the answer is yes. Tattoos are a symbol of your individuality and can help you express anything–from admiration for an artist to social justice issues. A tattoo does not need to be on your arm or leg. It could be on your neck, chest, or even just below the earlobe. The choice depends on what you want to tell the world about yourself.
Prohibitions to getting a tattoo as a minor
Tattoos are often looked at as permanent, even though they are easily removed today. Some states have laws that prohibit minors from getting tattoos without parental consent or supervision. These laws are in place to prevent children from making decisions that they might later regret, such as a tattoo with gang affiliation, inappropriate language, or other content not deemed appropriate for minors.
What about the age of consent?
The age of consent in most states is 18. Tattooing is considered a surgical procedure by the medical profession, so it's regulated by state-specific legislation. Several jurisdictions have removed this limitation altogether because tattooing might be the only way to prevent self-harming through cutting.
Restrictions on minors getting tattoos in some jurisdictions
While many people are interested in tattoos no matter their age, some jurisdictions have restrictions on people under the age of 18 getting tattoos. Some places allow minors to get tattoos with parental consent or after turning 18. Others require the consent of a legal guardian.
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When do children need parental consent to get a tattoo?
In the United States, a person under 18 years old needs a parent's written consent to get a tattoo. The law does provide for some exceptions, but their applicability is determined on a case-by-case basis by the judge. Many states have laws that protect people 16 and older from false advertising. These laws limit how businesses can advertise to those under 18 without parental permission.
What does the law say about child tattoos?
The law varies from state to state, but adults are usually required to provide written consent for someone under 18 to get a tattoo. These laws are designed to protect the interest of minors because many young people don't have the experience or maturity to understand the consequences of their decisions.
Legal age for piercings in most places
The legal minimum age for getting a piercing in most places is 18. The exception to this rule is if there is parental consent. It's important to remember that while some parents may be more lenient than others, it's still the responsibility of the individual to ensure that they follow all of the proper procedures and keep their body safe.
Where does the law come from?
There are a lot of laws in the US that regulate what is and isn't allowed when it comes to tattoos. These laws come from different sources, including state and municipal governments. For safety reasons, many places have various rules about who can do tattoos. In general, these guidelines are intended to protect children from getting tattoos from unlicensed artists or anyone without experience.
Where can I go for a tattoo if I'm under 18?
You need to make sure that you are at least 18 years old before getting a tattoo. If you are younger than 18, the best thing to do is to wait until your eighteenth birthday. When you are 18, it will be legal for you to get the tattoo.
Laws around getting a piercing when under 18
This article mentions that in many countries, you must be 18 or older to get a tattoo under most circumstances.
Some exceptions might include if it is on your body below the knee, in your ear, or another location less visible when you are in public.
How to know if you're ready for a piercing or tattoo
When contemplating getting a piercing or tattoo, you should first consider your age and maturity. Tattoos and piercings can be permanent and irreversible so you want to be sure that you’re ready for the decision. If you find yourself second-guessing your decision, it might not be time for a piercing or tattoo at all.
Final Remarks
Make sure to check with the local legal body as well as the tattoo and piercing community for further information on the laws and statutes of each state in the United States. In addition, expert tattoo and piercing establishments may provide you with information.
It is important to remember that tattoo artists have the complete authority to refuse tattooing or pedicuring a juvenile, and that in certain places such procedures are prohibited for anyone under the age of 18. Additionally, tattoo artists are permitted to decline to perform specific artwork that they consider to be unsuitable or insulting. Make sure to look into any further restrictions or exclusions, such as those pertaining to age limits and tattooing/piercing services, before you go.
