Tatooing a minor under 18
If you or your dh had tatoos your kid wanted a tatoo like you or your hubby but he was not 18 yet if it was legal with in parent consent would you alllow it if so what age would you allow it ?
Do you agree with with states that say tatooing a minor is illegal even with parental consent ?
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
Requires written and in-person consent of parent or guardian.
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. Additionally, either notarized written consent is provided by the parent or guardian OR the tattoo is applied in the presence or 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.
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