Tattoos are one of the greatest forms of self-expression. You get to show off your skin and the images that you have tattooed. It could be symbolic or represent someone close to you. The possibilities of tattoo representation are endless. However, if you are young, tattoos might pose a threat to your health and could land you in legal issues.
So how old do you have to be to get a tattoo? Most countries around the world have set the age of tattoos to 18. Some countries have an age requirement that might be 19 or as low as 16 but 18 is the age you have to be to get a tattoo legally. However, there are ways you can legally and safely tattoo if you are a minor. Find out the law for getting a tattoo and how harmful it could be for a minor.
Key Takeaways
- Tattoos at a young age might also pose the risk of becoming disfigured because a minor is still in their growth period.
- There are certain requirements that a tattoo artist needs before tattooing on a minor. This protects them legally.
- Different parts of the world have different requirements for the minimum age to tattoo and tattooing on a minor.
- USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand all have different laws depending on the state, province, territory, or country.
Are Tattoos Harmful to Minors?
Tattoos on others can be very impressionable, especially for the younger generation. Watching a celebrity or someone that they are close to getting a new tattoo might influence a minor to get one. And most times they might be too impatient to get one at the age of 18, instead opting to get one as a minor. This is because this could potentially be harmful to them!
Most minors do not understand that getting a tattoo could put them at a health risk. Tattoos are open wounds that need to be properly taken care of after getting a tattoo. Then there is the risk of getting a tattoo from a non-reputable place, which a minor could do to secretly get one. This could put them at risk of deadly diseases such as Hepatitis-B and other autoimmune diseases.
Not to mention that a minor is still growing so their tattoo might look disfigured as they are growing up. So the risk of getting a tattoo is not only a health issue but the tattoo might also be ruined in a few years.
Requirements for Minors to Get a Tattoo
Disregarding all the health issues, it is important that you get a tattoo from someone experienced at a reputable store. For minors trying to get a tattoo, there are some requirements they have to fulfill before getting one.
Parents’ consent
Most tattoo shops and parlors will ask minors to show a written form of consent from their parents before getting a tattoo. Tattoo shops will also have to talk to the parents in person to verify the consent form. This is done to legally protect them in case something does go wrong during or after the tattoo is done.
Doctor’s consent
Some states in the US will require that a minor gets a doctor’s consent before getting a tattoo. This is to ensure that the minor is medically cleared by the doctor to ensure safety. The tattoo shop has to also verify the consent form and talk to the doctor before starting the process.
Presence of a parent or doctor
Sometimes, just a form is not enough to get a tattoo as a minor. Some places require that the parent and/or a doctor be present during the tattooing of a minor. Because it is such a health risk, these laws must be followed, or else risk being punished for the crime.
Done by a medical professional
Few places protect the minor even further by getting a tattoo done by a medical professional instead. There are licensed practitioners who are able to get tattoos done at medical facilities to help reduce the risk of infection.
Even with all these requirements, a tattoo artist has every right to refuse a tattoo for a minor. Some places also require that tattoo artists confirm the consent given to them either verbally or in the presence of the parent.
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Tattoo Laws Around the World
Because different places have different legal requirements for getting a tattoo for a minor, it could be confusing. So here is a list of the places and the laws the state, province, territory, or country has for tattooing a minor.
US state laws
US laws differ from state to state, while some states have similar laws for tattooing a minor. That is why it is important to note what each of the 50 states in the USA has about tattoos.
| Alabama | Parental consent form required for minors. |
| Alaska | Tattooing on minors is prohibited. |
| Arizona | Parents present during the tattooing process of minors. |
| Arkansas | Parent’s signature is required for tattooing minors. |
| California | Tattooing a minor is considered a misdemeanor. |
| Colorado | Parental consent form required for minors. |
| Connecticut | Minors need parental consent; Both parents and physician or registered nurse must be present during tattooing. |
| D.C. | Tattooing on minors is prohibited. |
| Delaware | Parental consent form required for minors. |
| Florida | Parental consent form required for minors. |
| Georgia | Can be tattooed either by a licensed physician or under the supervision of the physician. |
| Hawaii | Parental consent form is required for minors where the consent forms are kept confidential for up to 2 years. |
| Idaho | Parental consent form is required for minors in the presence of the tattoo artist. |
| Illinois | Parental consent is needed and only a physician can tattoo the minor. |
| Indiana | A guardian needs to give consent and be present during the tattooing of a minor. |
| Iowa | Minors need to be married to be able to get a tattoo. |
| Kansas | Parental consent form required for minors. |
| Kentucky | Parental consent form required for minors. |
| Louisiana | Parental consent form required for minors. |
| Maine | Illegal to tattoo a minor. |
| Maryland | Limited or otherwise unspecified laws regarding tattooing minor. |
| Massachusetts | Only a licensed physician can tattoo the minor |
| Michigan | Parental consent form required for minors |
| Minnesota | Parental consent form required for minors |
| Mississippi | Tattooing on minors is prohibited |
| Missouri | Parental consent form is required for minors and the presence of a parent is required during the tattooing |
| Montana | Parental consent form required for minors |
| Nebraska | Minors need written parental consent |
| Nevada | Tattooing isn’t regulated by the state except in Clark County (Las Vegas) |
| New Hampshire | Parental consent form is required for minors with the parent present in front of the artist |
| New Jersey | Parental consent form required for minors |
| New Mexico | Licensing requirements must be met |
| New York | Tattooing a minor is considered a class B misdemeanor |
| North Carolina | Tattooing on minors is prohibited |
| North Dakota | Parental consent and presence are required to tattoo a minor |
| Ohio | Parental consent and presence are required to tattoo a minor |
| Oklahoma | Licensure is required by the State Department of Public Health for tattoo artists |
| Oregon | Licensing is required |
| Pennsylvania | Parental consent and presence are required to tattoo a minor |
| Rhode Island | Sterilization and sanitation requirements must be met |
| South Carolina | Tattoos are prohibited for those under 21. Parental consent is required if over 18 but under 21. |
| South Dakota | A signed parental consent form is required for minors |
| Tennessee | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent |
| Texas | Parents must consider the tattoo to be in the best interest of the minor |
| Utah | A signed parental consent form is required for minors |
| Vermont | Parental consent is required to tattoo a minor |
| Virginia | Tattooing a minor requires consent unless done by a physician |
| Washington | Tattooing on minors is prohibited and considered to be illegal |
| West Virginia | A signed parental consent form is required for minors |
| Wisconsin | Only a licensed physician can tattoo the minor |
| Wyoming | Parental consent form is required for minors and the presence of a parent is required during the tattooing. Age verification is also required for the minor |
Canadian provincial laws
There are no federal laws about tattooing in Canada, for either minors or adults. It is then required the individual provinces set up their own laws about tattooing, especially tattooing for minors.
| Ontario | Parental consent is required to tattoo a minor |
| Quebec | There is no province minimum age for getting a tattoo done. Shops instead have minimum age requirements and it is up to the shop. |
| Nova Scotia | Sterilization and sanitation requirements must be met. There is no province minimum age for getting a tattoo done. Shops instead have minimum age requirements and it is up to the shop. |
| Alberta | There is no law regarding tattoos, just guidance by the provincial body to only tattoo those who are above the age of 18. |
| British Columbia | The Ministry of Health recommends getting parental consent for those under the age of 19, but there is no specific law for minors. |
| Saskatchewan | No age requirement. However, shops are recommended by the provincial governing body to tattoo only those who are above the age of 18 |
European Regulations for Tattooing Minors
European countries all have different laws set specifically for their countries. The European Union has set laws against the chemicals used in tattoo ink but has no such law set for the minimum age to get a tattoo. Therefore, it is up to the countries to decide on that matter. Here are some European countries and their policies on getting a tattoo as a minor.
| Austria | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent or a guardian |
| Bulgaria | No minimum; up to the shop to decide |
| Croatia | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent or a guardian |
| Cyprus | Tattooing under the age of 18 is prohibited |
| Czechia | No minimum; up to the shop to decide |
| Denmark | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent or a guardian |
| Finland | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent or a guardian |
| France | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent or a guardian. Fascist designs are prohibited |
| Germany | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent or a guardian |
| Greece | Minors 16 and up can be tattooed with written parental consent or a guardian |
| Hungary | No minimum; up to the shop to decide |
| Ireland | No minimum; up to the shop to decide |
| Italy | No minimum; up to the shop to decide |
| Lithuania | No minimum; up to the shop to decide |
| Luxembourg | No minimum; up to the shop to decide |
| Malta | Prohibited to tattoo minors under 18 |
| Spain | Minimum age of 14, no parental consent is needed |
| Sweden | Tattooing under the age of 18 is prohibited |
| United Kingdom | Tattooing under the age of 18 is prohibited |
Australia and New Zealand’s law
In Australia, it is up to the territories to decide what is the minimum age and other requirements for the tattooing of a minor.
In Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland, tattooing a minor is a criminal offense. Thus, a tattoo artist in these territories will refuse to do your tattoo, regardless if you have parental consent. In New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory, minors have to get permission from parents and also have to state where they want to get the tattoo before they are eligible to get the tattoo. In Western Australia, detailed consent must be given to the tattoo artist explaining where the tattoo is going to be done. While in Northern Territory, there is no minimum age set for tattooing. Instead, it is up to the tattoo shop to decide but most will not tattoo someone under the age of 18.
New Zealand does not have a minimum age for tattooing on minors. They do, however, have local councils that have specific bylaws set against the tattooing of minors. Therefore, if you are a minor in New Zealand, it is important to check with the local authorities and tattoo shops about getting a tattoo.
FAQs
Can I get a tattoo at the age of 13?
If where you live allows tattoos to be done on a minor, you need to meet the specific requirements mentioned above before you can get a tattoo at 13.
What is the youngest age to get a tattoo?
While the minimum age differs from place to place, the standard minimum age to get a tattoo is 18.
What is the law for getting a tattoo in the UK?
Tattooing under the age of 18 is prohibited. That means that you cannot get a tattoo under 18 even with your parent’s and physician’s consent.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it is still advisable that if you want to get a tattoo you should wait for the minimum age requirement before getting it. Tattoos are permanent and getting them at a young age is a big decision to undergo. Tattoos are also dangerous especially for young kids who do not know or understand the health risks associated with them. It is then important to learn all the risks of tattoos before getting them.
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