Tattoo Age Laws: Can Minors Get Inked? The Ultimate Guide

Thinking about getting inked before you turn 18? It's a question fraught with legal complexities and varying state regulations, and the answer is rarely a straightforward yes. Navigating the world of tattoos as a minor requires understanding the specific laws in your area, parental consent stipulations, and the potential consequences for both the individual receiving the tattoo and the artist administering it.

Across the United States, the legal landscape surrounding tattoos for minors is a patchwork of regulations. While there's no federal law dictating a national standard, each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia has its own set of rules, primarily focused on age restrictions. In the vast majority of states, the magic number is 18 you must be at least that age to legally receive a tattoo. This is often an outright prohibition, meaning parental consent, even if given wholeheartedly, won't override the law.

Category Information
Topic Minimum age to get a tattoo with parental consent in the U.S.
Governing Law State statutory laws (no federal law)
General Age Requirement 18 years old
Parental Consent States A few states allow tattoos for minors with parental consent (specific states vary and are subject to change).
States with Outright Prohibition Many states prohibit tattoos for minors, even with parental consent (e.g., New York, Kansas, Wisconsin, Illinois).
Alabama Exception Minimum age is 19.
Emancipated Minors Generally, emancipation does not override age restrictions for tattoos.
UK Law Illegal for anyone under 18 to get a tattoo (Tattooing of Minors Act 1969).
Australia Law General rule is that you must be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo
Reference Website National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
The 2022 State By State Guide to Tattoo Laws in the United States
The 2022 State By State Guide to Tattoo Laws in the United States
How to Start Your Tattoo Journey — Tattd Connecting the Tattoo Industry
How to Start Your Tattoo Journey — Tattd Connecting the Tattoo Industry
The 2023 State By State Definitive Guide to Tattoo Laws in the United
The 2023 State By State Definitive Guide to Tattoo Laws in the United

Detail Author:

  • Name : Minerva Willms
  • Username : krajcik.elliot
  • Email : lisette.hamill@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1991-12-08
  • Address : 959 Dagmar Cliff Ankundingmouth, ME 11999
  • Phone : 1-212-585-1245
  • Company : Cole PLC
  • Job : Gluing Machine Operator
  • Bio : Error qui ut vel qui. Molestiae nobis non quia fugit excepturi illum sit animi. Necessitatibus dolorum facere laborum cumque in amet dolor.

Socials

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/joelle_id
  • username : joelle_id
  • bio : Suscipit autem dolor aperiam sapiente earum praesentium non ex.
  • followers : 1572
  • following : 139

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/joelle_gleichner
  • username : joelle_gleichner
  • bio : Quo a quo et eos sint blanditiis. Aut quia voluptatum velit et explicabo. Et omnis doloremque non.
  • followers : 5006
  • following : 1282

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/joelle_real
  • username : joelle_real
  • bio : Veniam in perspiciatis quibusdam ipsam odio aliquid deleniti. Porro et ipsa doloremque fuga provident est. Quibusdam dolorum tempore voluptas dolorem rerum.
  • followers : 4130
  • following : 793

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@joelle5869
  • username : joelle5869
  • bio : Et incidunt qui vitae doloremque aut voluptas. Dolor aut porro odit.
  • followers : 3737
  • following : 1105

linkedin:


YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE