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
Im 16, can i get a tattoo in Conn.? and if i can what do i need to bring with me? and dose any body know what tattoo palor will do it for me?
so if you dont live in a state that you can get underaged tatoo’s can you go to a state where its okay and be able to get it?
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i already have a tattoo and i live in wisconsin and im 16 so do tha math
I live in Texas and I’m 16. Can I get a tattoo with the parent present at the tattoo parlor?
First off do your research. You can get a tattoo in illinois if you are 18. You don’t need consent.
im 14 and i really want a tattoo. and my mom said i can get one if im at least 15. is there anybody who would do that for me?
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I was told the youngest age to get a tattoo professionally done with parent consent was age 16 now states are saying it has to be 18? That is ridiculous. As long as the parent says it is ok, a minor of a reasonable age should be allowed to get a professional tattoo done. Otherwise have a licensed friend do it for you.
Well.. Im 14 and i got a tattoo, But i live in VA. It also depends on the shop you can get it from because most tattoo places wont accept minors. Luckily one accepted me.
In Tennessee you cannot get a tattoo if you are under the age of 18, even with parental consent, unless they are covering a previous tattoo. That should be defined more clearly on this list.
Franky, could you tell me where you got yours done?
If a minor in FL gets written notarized consent from someone claiming to be a parent or guardian, is it still considered illegal? My 15 yr old son got this done, I plan on having the tatoo artist, his friend who paid for it, and whoever consented, arrested.
I feel far more individuals will need to read this, incredibly good info.
What’s the rush? Tattoo’s are forever, wait till your 18. It gives you something to look forward to!
im 15 and i live in minnesota can get a tattoo with parental concent
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I have a scar on my leg do to a cream i was putting on my leg because of my allergy and im so embarrassed to show my legs in public and i want to do a tatto but im just 15 so i wanted to konw if it is legal to get a tatto in new nersey at that age with my mother permission?
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We live in illinois and my 16 yr od daughters mother has allowed her to get several tatoos and piercings from an unlicensed person. This has happened since my daughter was 15 and I just recently found out about it. What can I do? Can anyone give me new information on the laws when a parent allows the minor child to get this doen from an unlicensed perosn?
ash says:
May 26, 2010 at 10:57 am
im 15 and i live in minnesota can get a tattoo with parental concent
- If you haven’t been answered, as of July 1st minors will not be allowed to be tattoo’d. And the youngest most were allowed was 16.
What if my child in the state of (Maryland) went and had a tattoo done on their body and was under the legal age of 18 without consent. What could happen if the parents did not authorise it?
Thank you Darrell
I am 14 and I was wondering if I could get a tattoo under legal age WITH a parent or guardian?
i am 14 years old and live in maryland, i have friends, and classmates with tattoos but he chart says its illegal in maryland, how is this possible?
if im 15 and want to get a tattoo in delaware am i allowed to get one with parent consent or do i have to be older ?
If I am 17 but married can I get a tattoo in the state of North Carolina?
im almost 15 and my friend recently died. i want to get a tattoo on my shoulder that says forever faith because faith was her name. i live in ny state. is it legal when i turn 16 with parental consent?
I my self jerri priest is an amazeing tattoo artist but i wuz look’n for the law against a 17 year old given tattoo’s?
or puting tattoo’s on myself considering i do them.
in the state of oklahoma or arkansas…..
If you’re younger than 16, you shouldn’t be getting a tattoo anyways.
[...] disease.By: Scarlett Moore About the Author: Before 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 [...]
Kate, where in wisconsin did you get your tattoo??
whats up with cali? yeesh.
Hey, people who are younger than 15 who want a tattoo right now:
Think about this, if your body isn’t done growing yet and you decide to get a tattoo now, once you grow, your skin will grow and your tattoo could stretch.
Just sayin. Not tryin to preach, just tryin to keep a few people from doing something that they could regret.
Im 14 Can I get a Tat in cali. with consent of my parents.
“Paul says:
Im 14 Can I get a Tat in cali. with consent of my parents.”
It says “illegal” for a reason. So no.
Paul and all the other teenies who are wanting to get a tat. You are too young and should not even think about doing it. No real tat artist and most scratchers would not even consider putting one on you because you are not old enough to know what your future holds for you. I say this as an adult with 7 tats. I got a real stupid one the day I turned 16 and that cost me about $1500 to get rid of. Please don’t rush into it even though I respect why Jordan wants his I would still suggest waiting.
SERIOUSLY? That two year old kid from Indonesia that smokes 40 cigarettes is INSANE. Someone needs to kick his folks in the head, or just throw them into the nearest large body of water. I saw the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TOtoVEJSTU
U guys are all gay those who get a piercing
My mom got her first tat at 14 and it wasnt illegal or any thing none im going at 16 to get mine
I am 16 and my dad had died not too long ago and I want to get a memorial tattoo done and I live in Salem Oregon. I already have one, but that was done by my friend’s cousin. Anyways, is there a place here that will do my memorial?
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Hey guys, i am German and live in us for One Year, i am 17 and have allready a tattoo on my back, i Want to get tattoo herr on my hip. I live in Tennessee and my Patents allow it me to get my Second one. So i asked a Lot tattoo Artist and they told me that it illigal to get a tattoo under 18 in the State of TN no matter what my Patents say. But on this Web Site is written down that i could get my tattoo when my Patents allow it me, i am kinda confused… Does someone Know what can i do? Sorry for my Bad english, i am still working on it
thank you
Wow i am so sorry about my spelling mistakes :O Hope you Know what i mean :S
The State laws change over time. I’ll research the law for Tennessee and update my chart! Thanks!
i live in florida and i got my first tattoo at age 13 with parental consent and a parent present. and i got another one at age 15 in florida. my parents are cool about me getting all tatted up if i want but i’m gonna be living in tennssee here shortly so does anyone know how old you can be to get tattooed with parental consent cause i’m not totally sure if this website is accurate cause to many sites tell you different things.
hello, im 13 turning 14 in march and i live in southwest philadelphia. i really want a tattoo. my parents are allowing me to get one. i already know what i want. anyone can do it for me ?
Could someone explain GA rules?
im 16 ca i get a tattoo WITH a parent in rhode island?
uhmm for those of u saying why cant u get 1 at the age of 14 or 15 is because kids like you dont think about the future u might want some little cartoon character on u and when ur older ur going to feel stupid thats why yea its your body but we wouldnt tattoo you even if ur parent was there just because we see people regetting tattoos at a older age a lot…..so just wait a bit and dont rush into it theres plenty of time to get 1