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
Age

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

Categories : Tattoo Laws

Comments

  1. Olivia says:

    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?

  2. chinelo says:

    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?

  3. I’ve been reading a few posts and really and enjoy your writing. I’m just starting up my own blog and only hope that I can write as well and give the reader so much insight.

  4. kate says:

    i already have a tattoo and i live in wisconsin and im 16 so do tha math

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