Can You Have A Tattoo At 16? Age Laws And Tattoo Guide

Are you 16 and dreaming of getting inked? The legality of tattoos for minors varies widely, and tattooat.com is here to guide you through the intricate world of tattoo laws and artistry. We’ll explore state-by-state regulations, parental consent requirements, and the importance of choosing a reputable tattoo artist. Discover amazing tattoo design ideas, locate skilled artists, and learn everything you need to know about the body art experience on tattooat.com.

1. What Are The Tattoo Age Restrictions In The USA?

Across the United States, there aren’t any federal regulations concerning tattooing; the minimum age for getting a tattoo depends on each state’s laws. While most states require individuals to be 18 to get a tattoo without parental consent, others permit those younger than 18 to get tattoos with parental or guardian permission. These regulations are often based on the legal principle that minors can’t enter binding contracts or provide informed consent for medical procedures.

2. What Should A Minor Do If They Want To Get A Tattoo?

If you’re a minor wanting a tattoo, it’s essential to research local laws, regulations, and tattoo studio policies to ensure you meet age requirements, have the correct documentation, and obtain parental approvals before making an appointment. Keep in mind that some studios may have stricter age restrictions, even in states where minors are allowed to receive tattoos with permission.

A young woman with a shoulder tattoo smiles confidently on a city street at night.

3. What Is The Minimum Legal Tattoo Age By State?

Tattoo laws differ significantly across the United States. Some states, like California and Texas, require individuals to be at least 18 to receive a tattoo without parental consent. Conversely, states such as New Jersey and Colorado allow minors as young as 16 to get tattoos with written parental or legal guardian consent. Some states might not specify an exact age, leaving the decision to individual tattoo studios.

3.1 Alabama

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: AL Code § 22-17A-2
Parental Consent Required: The minor’s parent or legal guardian must provide written informed consent in the presence of the tattoo artist or an employee/representative.
Emancipated Minors: Legally emancipated minors can get a tattoo if they present their original legal decree and a government-issued photo ID.

3.2 Alaska

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors).
State Law: AS 08.13.217
Parental Consent: Tattooing a minor is illegal, even with parental permission. Exceptions may apply for medical procedures or emancipated minors.
Emancipated Minors: No specific laws regarding tattoos for emancipated minors in Alaska.

3.3 Arizona

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: A.R.S. 13-3721
Parental Consent and Presence Required: A parent or guardian must consent and be physically present.
Emancipated Minors: Emancipated minors can’t get a tattoo without the physical presence of a legal guardian in Arizona.

3.4 Arkansas

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Arkansas Code § 20-27-1502
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Parental consent is allowed for ages 16-17. You must present a valid state-issued ID, your birth certificate listing your mother or father, and have one of your parents present with their state-issued ID.

3.5 California

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: HSC § 119302
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor can’t get a tattoo in California because the law requires you to be 18.

3.6 Colorado

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-2103
Parental Consent Required: Parental consent is allowed for ages 16-17.

3.7 Connecticut

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: C.G.S. § 20-266p
Parental Consent Required: Written parental consent is allowed for minors.
Emancipated Minors: Legally emancipated minors may get a tattoo if they present their legal decree or marriage certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

3.8 Delaware

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Delaware Code Ch. 243
Parental Consent and Presence Required: If you are under 18, you can get a tattoo if your parent or legal guardian provides written consent prior to the procedure. Some tattoo studios may impose extra requirements, such as notarizing a Minor Release Form and presenting photo identification for yourself and your parent.

3.9 District of Columbia

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
District Law: D.C. Code § 47–2853.76e
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.10 Florida

Minimum Age: 16 years old
State Law: Chapter 381, Section 00787 of the 2011 Florida Statutes
Parental Consent and Presence Required: A minor aged 16 or 17 can get a tattoo if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who must present valid identification. Written notarized consent from the parent or legal guardian is required, and a licensed tattoo artist must complete the tattooing. Tattooing a minor under 16 is prohibited unless done for medical or dental reasons by a licensed medical or dental professional.
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo until they turn 18.

3.11 Georgia

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: O.C.G.A. § 16-5-71
Parental Consent: In Georgia, tattooing anyone under 18 is unlawful unless performed by a licensed osteopath or a technician under the supervision of a licensed physician or osteopath. Parental consent is not permitted.
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.12 Hawaii

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Haw. Code R. § 11-17-7
Parental Consent Required: It’s unlawful to tattoo anyone under 18 unless their parent or legal guardian has provided written permission. All written consents must be stored at the tattoo shop.

3.13 Idaho

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on minors under 14).
State Law: Idaho Code § 18-1523
Parental Consent Required: For individuals aged 14 to 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present and grant written consent for a tattoo. Some tattoo studios may require clients to be at least 16.
Emancipated Minors: Legally emancipated minors may get a tattoo if they present their legal decree or marriage certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

3.14 Illinois

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent, except when the tattooing is performed by a physician or licensed technician under a physician’s supervision.).
State Law: 720 ILCS 5/12C-35
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.15 Indiana

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Indiana Code § 35-45-21-4
Parental Consent and Presence Required: A tattoo can be given to someone under 18 if a parent or legal guardian is present and supplies written consent.

3.16 Iowa

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger, unmarried minors).
State Law: DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONS, APPEALS, AND LICENSING, §10A.531
Emancipated Minors: Legally emancipated minors may get a tattoo if they present their legal decree or marriage certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

3.17 Kansas

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Kansas Code – 65-1953
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Written permission notarized from a parent or legal guardian is required, and the person giving this consent must be present during the procedure.
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.18 Kentucky

Minimum Age: 16 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors).
State Law: Title 902 Chapter 45 Regulation 065 Section 7
Parental Consent Required: Custodial parental or legal guardian written notarized consent is allowed for minors.

3.19 Louisiana

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: RS 14:93.2
Parental Consent and Presence Required: It’s against the law for anyone to tattoo someone under eighteen unless they have permission from a parent or guardian who is present with them.

3.20 Maine

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: Maine Revised Statutes Title 32, § 4203
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.21 Maryland

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Code of Md. Regulations, 10.06.01.06
Parental Consent Required: Written parental consent allowed for minors.
Emancipated Minors: Legally emancipated minors may get a tattoo if they present their legal decree or marriage certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

3.22 Massachusetts

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: Model Regulations for Body Art Establishments
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.23 Michigan

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: MCL – Section 333.13102
Parental Consent Required: A tattoo artist may not perform procedures on a minor without obtaining prior written consent from the minor’s parent or legal guardian. This consent must be provided in person and the guardian must also present proof of the minor’s birth certificate or legal guardianship to confirm their authority to consent.
Emancipated Minors: Legally emancipated minors may get a tattoo if they present their legal decree or marriage certificate and a government-issued photo ID, as “an individual under 18 years of age who is not emancipated under section 4 of 1968 PA 293, MCL 722.4” is excluded under the definition of “minor”.

3.24 Minnesota

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: 2023 Minnesota Statutes 146B.07
Parental Consent Required: Parental consent allowed for minors.
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.25 Mississippi

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: Miss.Code Ann. § 73-61
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.26 Missouri

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: RSMo Section 324.520
Parental Consent Required: Tattooing is prohibited for those under 18 without written consent from a parent or legal guardian in the presence of the tattoo artist.
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.27 Montana

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Tattooing and Piercing Establishments Administrative Rules Section 37.112.144
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Minors under 18 can get a tattoo with a parent or guardian present to sign a consent form, provided they show a valid ID and birth certificate. Both must have matching last names, or documentation of a name change or legal guardianship is needed, and the parent must remain during the procedure.

3.28 Nebraska

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Nebraska Revised Statute 38-10,165
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Parental consent allowed for minors, and the parent or court-appointed guardian must be present during the tattoo procedure.

3.29 Nevada

Laws regarding tattoos for minors in Nevada were not specified.

3.30 New Hampshire

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: N.H. Rev. Stat. § 314-A:8

3.31 New Jersey

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: N.J. Rev. Stat. Section 2C:40-21
Parental Consent Required: Tattooing a minor under age 18 requires written permission of the minor’s parent or legal guardian.

3.32 New Mexico

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: HB 790
Parental Consent Required: A body art establishment must verify that all customers are at least 18 years old before providing services. For customers aged 17 or younger, they must show a notarized consent form from a parent or legal guardian. This consent must be delivered in person by the parent or guardian, as individuals under 18 cannot deliver it themselves. Additionally, the parent or guardian must provide a photo ID.

3.33 New York

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: Section 260.21 of New York State Penal Law
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.34 North Carolina

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-400
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.35 North Dakota

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: N.D. Code § 12.1-31-13
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Parental consent allowed for minors, and the parent must be present during the tattoo procedure.

3.36 Ohio

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3730.06
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Parental consent allowed for minors, and the parent must: a) be present during the tattoo procedure, b) sign a document explaining the procedure, c) present a valid state ID for them and the minor, and d) provide a birth certificate connecting the parent and minor.
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor can get a tattoo because they are considered independent and can consent to their own medical treatment.

3.37 Oklahoma

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Oklahoma State Department of Health Tattooing and Body Piercing Title 21 Section 842.1 et seq.
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Parental consent allowed for minors, and the parent must be present during the tattoo procedure.

3.38 Oregon

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: Oregon Health Authority, Health Licensing Office – Chapter 331-915-0065
Parental Consent: Tattooing services may be provided to individuals under 18 years of age only if supported by a physician’s statement authorizing or recommending the procedure and they have parental consent.
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.39 Pennsylvania

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Pa. Cons. Stat. Title 18 § 6311
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Parental consent allowed for minors, and the parent must be present during the tattoo procedure.
Emancipated Minors: Emancipated minors might be exempt from these regulations if they can present legal documentation verifying their status.

3.40 Rhode Island

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent). Tattooing a minor under 18 years of age is only permissible with a medical exemption.
State Law: R.I. Gen. Laws Tit. 11. Criminal Offenses § 11-9-15
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.41 South Carolina

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: S.C. Code § 44-34-100
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.42 South Dakota

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 26-10-19
Parental Consent Required: If you are under 18, you will need a signed consent from your parent or legal guardian, and some tattoo shops may request that this consent be notarized.

3.43 Tennessee

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on minors 16 and older, except when covering up an existing tattoo).
State Law: Tenn. Code § 62-38-211
Parental Consent: Parental consent allowed for minors aged 16 and above with parental supervision only for the purposes of covering up an existing tattoo.

3.44 Texas

Minimum Age: 18 years old (prohibition on younger minors, even if they have parental consent, except for covering an existing tattoo).
State Law: RULE § 229.406 – Texas Administrative Code; Laws in Texas for Tattoos: Minimum Age and Other Restrictions.
Parental Consent Required: A minor’s parent or guardian can approve covering an existing tattoo for those under 18, especially if it features offensive content. Clients must present a valid government-issued photo ID with their date of birth. For those 17 or younger, a parent or guardian must be present during the procedure.

3.45 Utah

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent). Tattooing a minor under 18 years of age is only permissible if authorized or prescribed by a physician.
State Law: Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-2201
Parental Consent Required: No tattoo or permanent cosmetic procedure may be performed on anyone under the age of 18, even if parental consent is provided, unless it is recommended or approved by a physician.

3.46 Vermont

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 26 § 4101
Parental Consent Required: Minors who are under 18 years of age may receive a tattoo if they obtain written permission from a parent or guardian.

3.47 Virginia

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Va. Code § 18.2-371.3
Parental Consent and Presence Required: To get a tattoo without requiring parental or guardian consent or medical supervision, individuals must be at least 18 years old. For those under 18, tattoos are allowed only in the presence of a parent or guardian who has given their approval.

3.48 Washington

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent).
State Law: Wash. Code § 26.28.085
Emancipated Minors: An emancipated minor cannot get a tattoo because the law states you must be 18.

3.49 West Virginia

Minimum Age: None specified. Individuals under the age of 16 are prohibited from receiving tattoos.
State Law: W. Va. Code § 16-38-3
Parental Consent Required: Minors aged 16 and above may obtain tattoos provided that a parent or legal guardian is present at the tattoo studio, and they supply both written consent and a photo ID.

3.50 Wisconsin

Minimum Age: 18 years old (outright prohibition on younger minors, even with parental consent, except when the tattooing is performed by a physician in the course of the physician’s professional practice).
State Law: Wisc. Admin. Code Ch. SPS 221.10(1)(b)(3)

3.51 Wyoming

Minimum Age: 18 years old
State Law: Wyoming Statute § 14-3-107
Parental Consent and Presence Required: Parental consent allowed for minors with parental supervision.

4. What Do Tattoo Laws In The United States Focus On?

Much like negligence laws in the US, tattoo laws across the United States vary significantly by state, primarily focusing on the minimum age requirement for receiving a tattoo and the need for parental consent. Most states enforce a minimum age of 18, with outright prohibitions on tattooing minors.

However, several states permit tattooing minors aged 16 or 17 with written parental consent or require the presence of a parent or guardian during the procedure. A few states uniquely allow for tattoos to be administered at lower ages under specific circumstances, such as medical recommendations. Understanding these legal frameworks is crucial for both tattoo recipients and artists to ensure compliance with state regulations.

5. What Should Tattoo Clients Communicate With The Tattoo Studio About?

Even if you are legally allowed to receive a tattoo, such as through parental consent or if you are an emancipated minor, individual tattoo parlors may have their own policies regarding minors. Many establishments may be hesitant to tattoo individuals under a certain age, irrespective of legal permissions. This reluctance can stem from concerns over the permanence of tattoos, the maturity required to make such a decision, or past experiences with younger clients. Therefore, it is advisable for potential clients to communicate directly with the tattoo studio to clarify their policies and possibly arrange for a consultation before the procedure.

Close-up of a tattoo artist working on a client's arm in a tattoo parlor.

6. How To Approach Getting A Tattoo At 16

So, you’re 16 and eager to get a tattoo? Here’s a friendly guide on how to navigate this exciting yet complex situation:

6.1 Know the Laws

First and foremost, understand the specific tattoo laws in your state. As we’ve seen, regulations