U.S. Tattoo Laws for Minors
For the most part, as long as you’re 18 years of age you can get a tattoo. In some instances minors can get tattoos if they’re accompanied by a legal guardian and/or have obtained written consent from a legal guardian. The chart below outlines the tattoo laws in each state.
|
State |
Minimum |
Laws for Minors |
| Alabama |
18 |
Requires written consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Alaska |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Arizona |
18 |
Requires the physical presence of a parent or guardian. |
| Arkansas |
18 |
Requires written and in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| California |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Colorado |
18 |
Requires “express consent from the minor’s parent or guardian.” The state law does not define the term “express consent.” |
| Connecticut |
18 |
Requires written consent a parent or guardian. |
| Delaware |
18 |
Requires written consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Florida |
18 |
Requires written notarized consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Georgia |
18 |
Illegal unless by “a licensed osteopath or technician acting under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or osteopath.” |
| Hawaii |
18 |
Requires written consent from a parent or guardian. |
| Idaho |
18 |
Allowed if the minor is at least 14 years of age. Additionally, written and in-person consent must be provided by a parent or guardian. |
| Illinois |
21 |
Illegal. |
| Indiana |
18 |
Requires written and in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Iowa |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Kansas |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Kentucky |
18 |
Requires written notarized consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Louisiana |
18 |
Requires in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Maine |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Maryland |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Massachusetts |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Michigan |
18 |
Requires written and in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Minnesota |
18 |
Requires written consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Mississippi |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Missouri |
18 |
Requires written and in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Montana |
18 |
Requires in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Nebraska |
18 |
Requires written consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Nevada |
18 |
Illegal. |
| New Hampshire |
18 |
Illegal. |
| New Jersey |
18 |
Requires written consent of parent or guardian. |
| New Mexico |
18 |
Requires written and in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| New York |
18 |
Requires parental consent. The law does not specify whether it must be written or in-person. New regulations are pending. |
| North Carolina |
18 |
Illegal. |
| North Dakota |
18 |
Requires in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Ohio |
18 |
Requires in-person signed consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Oklahoma |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Oregon |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Pennsylvania |
18 |
Requires written consent of parent or guardian. |
| Rhode Island |
18 |
Illegal. |
| South Carolina |
21 |
Allowed if the minor is at least 18 years of age. Additionally, either notarized written consent must provided by the parent or guardian OR the tattoo must be applied in the presence of the parent or guardian. |
| South Dakota |
18 |
Requires a written consent form from a parent or guardian. |
| Tennessee |
18 |
Allowed if the minor is at least 16 years of age and written and in-person consent is provided by the parent or guardian. |
| Texas |
18 |
Allowed only if it is to cover an obscene or offensive tattoo. Even then, either notarized written consent must be provided by the parent/guardian OR the tattoo must be applied in the presence of the parent or guardian. |
| Utah |
18 |
Requires in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Vermont |
18 |
Requires written consent or a parent or guardian. |
| Virginia |
18 |
Requires in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
| Washington |
18 |
Illegal. |
| West Virginia |
18 |
Requires written consent from a parent or guardian. |
| Wisconsin |
18 |
Illegal. |
| Wyoming |
18 |
Requires in-person consent of a parent or guardian. |
Definition of Terms
In-person Consent: this requires the legal parent or guardian to provide verbal consent allowing their minor son or daughter to get a tattoo. Consent must be provided in person at the tattoo studio. The legal guardian/parent may be required to provide legal proof of guardianship.
Written Consent: this requires the legal parent or guardian to provide, in writing, the following information:
- The legal name of the minor and the legal name of the guardian or parent;
- The address of both the minor and the legal guardian or parent;
- The telephone number of both the minor and the legal guardian or parent;
- The location where the tattoo will be pierced;
- The signatures of both the minor and the legal guardian or parent.
Written Consent Forms: Some tattoo studios have pre-printed consent forms on hand for signature. Some states require tattoo studios to place specific information on the consent forms.
Written Notarized Consent: this requires the legal parent or guardian to have the information outlined above in the Written Consent section notarized by a licensed notary public.
This list was developed on May 26, 2008. Remember that laws change. When in doubt, call your state’s Department of Public Health. You should be able to find them online by searching for “xx Department of Public Health” where “xx” represents the state abbreviation (e.g., “CA Department of Public Health”).
Your state’s Department of Public Health should also be listed in the state government section of the telephone book.
It took me a few hours to research the laws for each state. I hope this information is helpful.
For more information see: Tattoo Laws for Minors: Know the Risks
Thats Corny Im 14 Ndd Live In Portland Oreqon Ndd My Mom Said I Can Get One
Good for you! not everyone has such carefree parents…
but here’s what i found out about laws concerning tattoos in the state of Oregon: “Tattooing is prohibited:
On persons under 18 years of age, regardless of parental consent,
except when authorized or prescribed by a physician’s statement exclusively for
medical repigmentation.” You might have a hard time finding a reputed tat shop to do the piece on you… Let us know if you have any luck!
What is the tattooing laws in Oklahoma for minors? My ex husband took our 17 yr old daughter to get a tattoo without my consent. I have been told that it is illegal to tattoo a minor in OK & I can file child abuse charges against my ex & there are fines for the tattooer. Any info on any of this?
im a minor and i want a tattoo what would happen if i got one? and how much would the fine be
I want a tattoo on each of my wrists that says “stay strong”, but I am only 14 in Pennsylvania. I really want it, I think I need it. What should I do and how could I get one? Thanks:)
I just turned 14 in PA. How could I get a tattoo?
You can not get a tattoo in Portland, OR at any age under 18 in a shop. You can get it done outside of a shop by someone who does not have a tattooing license, who’s work may or may not be good or last. If you want a tattoo and are 14 or older you should go to Idaho where it is legal with parent consent in certain shops.
To the worried Mom it is illegal in OK under the age 18.
I have had some friends in New hampshire, who got a tattoo at a shop at 17 with a parent, so even though its 18 only,you could still get a tattoo just illegaly?
When it says ‘minors’ does that mean above 16 but under 18, or anyone under 18?
for those parents and that mother im 17 and i have 3 tattoos not for being cool or stupid but for a reason i have my parents names on my chest one for my dad which is rip and for mom out of love just cause things didnt work out or a parent lett you doesnt mean their careless or you should put your daughter through the misery of court for one thing she was gonna get anyways.
Ricky
Thanks for letting us hear your side of the story.
Naomi
You have to check and see what age a minor is in your state. It differs from state to state. A quick web search under “Age of majority” and the name of your state will tell you.
Katie
Thanks for the great information!
There is a reason you cannot get one – you need to be old enough to make the decision. A reputable shop will simply not do a tattoo on a minor. It is not about money but about thinking somethinglike this through. If you really want it, you will still want it when you are “of age”.
This is to the “worried mom” i think you are pathetic. Its a safe assumption that your daughter wanted the tattoo and that your ex-husband didnt take her to the tattoo shop at gun point and make her get a tattoo. You just want to get back at your ex-husband for what ever reason and you are willing to ruin 2 peoples lives to do it, get a life and get over it and its pretty sad that you are using your daughter to get revenge.
*What is the tattooing laws in Oklahoma for minors? My ex husband took our 17 yr old daughter to get a tattoo without my consent. I have been told that it is illegal to tattoo a minor in OK & I can file child abuse charges against my ex & there are fines for the tattooer. Any info on any of this?*
Dear WorriedMom,
It sounds like the tattoo your daughter received would be heavenly compared to the mental trauma she would be suffering from, thanks to your hate against your ex-husband. (I bet you havnt asked her how she feels) Child abuse charges are not only excessive but completely moronic. Pull the stick out Mom. Try talking to your daughter first to get a bigger picture. Maybe consider charges when you find out she was dragged into the tattooists, branded by the horrible, satin loving antagonist of your day (man with the *gun*) and then thrown out into the street, bloody and sore, to find her own way back to your shit doorstep. Which im sure she wasnt and I bet her dad loves her very much. But the bigger picture will hit home later in life. When she blames you both for her mess of a childhood and parental issues. Then runs away with the first less than decent guy she meets. Because all you see is a gain for yourself at the moment. To keep hurting your husband. Even after what sounds like you have won custody. So perhaps talk to your daughter and work thorugh this before things DO and WILL get worse.
P.S I honestly think your that cow I tailgate every morning in the eight seater SUV with the one kid in the car, driving 10 miles under in the fast lane.
It’s hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.
Fuck you,
God Bless.
- SOURCES:
Life
[...] getting a tattoo it’s important to know the U.S. tattoo laws for both adults and minors. Additionally, some tattoo procedures like lower back tattoos come with [...]
Okay-we have to stop this now – I will start removing any more comments, This is not the place for it. Please respect everyone on this site.n And by that I mean everyone – the woman was scared. Allow that not everyone has your viewpoint on everything and try to keep the language respectful. Please.
I have a friend who has gotten tattoos with her parental consent in Illinois, but here it says it’s illegal unless you’re twenty one, so what is the actual law?
Issa- It changes from state to state, so you have to look up each state to see. But by and large most reputable tattoo parlors won’t tattoo a minor without parental consent. They can’t afford the lawsuit, for one thing.