How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Tattoo In…

Inside: Tattoo age requirements in each state so you can find out exactly how old you need to be. 

Are you thinking about getting a tattoo soon? Awesome! This is a very exciting decision that you are making.

By now, you are probably doing a bunch of research leading up to making your appointment. Looking up tattoo ideas, finding out how bad it will hurt, and probably the most crucial question of all: How old do I have to be to get a tattoo in my state?

This can be very confusing seeing as this age requirement does vary based on where you live. So today, I am going to answer that question for you. I have written down each state in the U.S along with its tattoo requirements. But before we get into that, let’s go over what will happen if you LIE about your age to your tattoo parlor.

What Happens If I Get Tattooed As a Minor

Nothing good. That tattoo parlor that gave you the tattoo will have a lot of repercussions.

According to an article written by a lawyer, “Tattooing a minor is a misdemeanor level offense that is punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and any other conditions of probation that a judge may deem appropriate. In addition, any tattooist or tattoo parlor may have their license revoked as a result of this offense.”

Ouch! So please, be a good person and wait until you are of age. If not for you, then for your tattoo artist.

Alabama

In Alabama, you have to be 18 in order to get a tattoo legally. Though you can get one when you are younger if you have a parent give you content and be present at your session.

Alaska

If you are living in Alaska, then you must be 18 years old or older before getting a tattoo. It is illegal to get tattooed under the age of 18, but you can get one with a parent’s permission as long as they are present at the session.

Arizona

If you live in Arizona, your age requirement is 18 years old. Keep in mind that you can still get a tattoo if you have your parents permission and if they accompany you to your appointment.

Arkansas

In Arkansas, you have to be 18 years of age in order to get a tattoo. There is no exception to this, seeing as they do not accept a parent’s consent for someone under 18. So you must wait under you are a legal adult.

 California

In California, you have to be 18 years old to get tattooed. California does not accept a parent’s content, so you must wait until you are of age. Though if you want to get a piercing, you can do so with a parent present.

 Colorado

According to tattooing laws, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo in the state of Colorado. You can, however, get the consent of the parent to be able to get the work done.

 Connecticut

In Connecticut, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without your parent’s consent. If you wish to get one sooner you have to get your parents okay and have them come to your appointment with you.

 Delaware

If you are living in Delaware, do not count on getting a tattoo until you are 18 years of age. Unless you can convince your parents and have them come with you to your appointment.

 Florida

If you are living in Floria and are 16 years of age, you may get tattooed legally. Yep, the legal age in Florida is only 16! How cool for all those 16 year olds out there.

Georgia

In Georgia, you must be 18 years old to get a tattoo. There is no wiggle room, meaning that you cannot use your parent’s consent to get a tattoo.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 years old. But you can get the parent’s written consent!

Idaho

In Idaho, you must be at least 14 years old to be able to get a tattoo with your parent’s consent. You must be 18 to be able to get one without parents’ consent.

Indiana

If you are living in Indiana, you must be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without your parents. Otherwise, it is illegal and there will be repercussions.

Illinois

In Illinois, you have to be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo, with or without your parent’s consent. But if you want to get a piercing before then, you just have to have your parents come with you.

Iowa

In Iowa, you have to be 18 in order to legally get a tattoo. This is regardless of parental consent or not. So if you got your parent’s okay, you better get ready to go to another state.

Kansas

In Kansas, you have to be 18 in order to get a tattoo. But if you are under that age, you can still get one with a parent’s consent. They must also be present at the appointment.

Kentucky

If you are living in Kentucky, then you have to be 18 years or older to be able to legally get a tattoo. But you can still get one with your parent’s consent if you are a minor.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, you have to be 18 in order to legally get a tattoo. If you are under that, you may still be able to get one, but you have to have your parent’s come to the appointment.

Maine

Maine’s Law says that you have to be 18 years or older to get a tattoo. This is with or without parental consent. So if you are younger, you just have to wait.

Maryland

In Maryland, no one under the age of 18 is allowed to get a tattoo, with or without their parent’s permission. In this state, they have no exceptions.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, you cannot get a tattoo when you are under the age of 18 years old. There is no exception this rule, seeing as you cannot even get one with your parent’s consent.

Michigan

If you are a young person living in Michigan…then you may already be covered in tattoos. There are no age requirements to get a tattoo in Michigan!

Minnesota

If you live in Minnesota, you will have to wait until you are 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo. This state does not accept a parent’s consent when you are underage.

Mississippi

The minimum age requires to get a tattoo in Mississippi without a parent’s consent is 18 years old. If you are younger, not only will you need the written consent of your parents, but you’ll need them to be there.

Missouri

No one under the age of 18 is allowed to get a tattoo in Missouri, regardless of parental consent. So you may have to go to a neighboring state.

Montana

If you live in Montana, you have to at least be 18 years old in order to get a tattoo. You can also get one when you are under that age, but only with a parent’s consent.

Nebraska

If you are living in Nebraska, you will need to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without your parent or legal guardian’s consent.

Nevada

If you live in Nebraska, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without a parent’s written consent. So plan on having that!

New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, you can get a tattoo once you turn 18 years old. Otherwise, you will need parental consent to get your ink done.

New Jersey

If you are under the age of 18, you cannot get a tattoo in New Jersey without a Parent’s written consent. But your parent does not have to be there at the appointment.

New Mexico

You have to be 18 years old in order to get a tattoo when you are in New Mexico legally. Otherwise, you will need to get your parent’s consent.

New York

In New York, you must be at least 18 years of age to get a tattoo. This state does not accept a parent’s consent for minors, so you will have to wait.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, you have to be 18 in order to get a tattoo. This state does not allow for parent’s to consent for their minor to get a tattoo.

North Dakota

In North Dakota, you have to be 18 to be able to get a tattoo. There is an exception to this, but only if you have the written consent of your parents.

Ohio

In Ohio, you must be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without the written consent of your parent. Otherwise, your parent will have to be present.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, you are not allowed to get a tattoo unless you are at least 18 years old. This is regardless of if you have a parent’s consent or not.

Oregon

In Oregon, you can only get a tattoo when you are 18 or older. Parent’s consent is not applicable in this state, unless it is for a piercing.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, you must be 18 in order to get a tattoo without your parent’s written consent. Otherwise, you will need them present at your appointment.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, you have to be 18 in order to get a tattoo. You cannot get one when you are under the legal age, even with a parent’s consent.

South Carolina

It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 in the state of South Carolina. You need your parent’s written consent in order to go forward.

South Dakota

It is not legal to tattoo someone under 18 in South Dakota when you do not have written consent from their parent or guardian.

Tennessee

If you are living in Tennessee, then you have to wait until you are 18 years old to get a tattoo legally. Otherwise, you will need your parent’s permission.

Texas

In texas, you cannot get a tattoo until you are 18 years old. If you are under, you can still get one…you just need to get your parent’s consent.

Utah

In order to get a tattoo in the state of Utah, you have to be 18 years old. Otherwise, you will need to bring your parent’s written consent.

Vermont

If you live in Vermont, you have to be at least 18 years or older to be able to legally get a tattoo without the written consent of your parents.

Virginia

You have to be 18 years old in order to get a tattoo in the state of Virginia. But you can get your parent’s consent if you are underage.

Washington

In Washington, you must be 18 years old in order to legally get a tattoo. Washington does not allow for parental consent. So if you are underage, you have to wait.

West Virginia

In West Virginia, you have to be at least 16 years old to be able to get a tattoo. Otherwise, you will need to get written consent from your parent.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, you are not allowed to get a tattoo unit you are 18 years of age. This is regardless of whether or not your parents give their consent.

Wyoming

In Wyoming, you have to be 18 years old to be able to get a tattoo without your parent’s consent. If you are under that age, you have to have your parents attend your appointment.