How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Piercing?

Published Aug 8, 2021

Many parents — as well as adolescents — are curious about the right age for piercings.

Depending on your state of residence, a minor—a person under 18—may be permitted to obtain a body piercing or tattoo without their parent’s approval. Each state creates its own guidelines regarding body art, so you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the local laws.

Certain states prohibit minors from getting tongue piercings or tattoos without parental authorization, while others have no such restrictions. This implies that you may be able to walk into a salon without your parent’s knowledge and have a piercing or tattoo. So, really, how old do you have to be to get a piercing or tattoo?

Things to Know Before Making a Choice

Certain states have enacted rules prohibiting certain types of piercings. While ear piercing is generally permissible for minors, a tongue piercing may require parental consent.

Regrettably, not all tattoo artists and body piercers adhere to the law. Several of them may be willing to pierce or tattoo you without proper parental consent. Anyone who violates the law will almost certainly face a fine and the possibility of losing their license to practice.

State Laws Regarding Body Piercing and Tattooing

Because laws change frequently, it is critical to educate oneself on the most up-to-date requirements in your state. The following are the current state laws you must be aware of:

Alabama

Written consent of a parent or legal guardian must be provided before a minor can receive a piercing or tattoo.

Alaska

Minors are not permitted to receive tattoos.
Body piercing requires written parental consent and the presence of a parent or legal guardian throughout the procedure.

Arizona

To receive a piercing or tattoo, a minor must have the physical presence of a parent or legal guardian.

California

It is prohibited to tattoo a minor.
To receive a piercing other than an ear-piercing, you must have either the presence or notarized written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Colorado

A minor can have a piercing or tattoo only if he or she has written permission from a parent or legal guardian.

Connecticut

Minors must have their parent’s or guardians ’ written authorization before receiving a tattoo.

Delaware

To have a piercing or tattoo done, a minor must first obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Florida

To have a piercing or tattoo, minors require the parent or legal guardian’s written notarized approval.

Georgia

Only a licensed osteopath or technician who is supervised by a licensed physician or osteopath may tattoo a minor.
Written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian is required for piercing.

Hawaii

Minors must have their parent’s written authorization before receiving a tattoo.
There are no age limits for piercings right now.

Idaho

Teenagers under the age of 14 are not permitted to get tattoos, brandings, or piercings.
Teenagers 14 to 18 must get their parent’s or legal guardians ‘ written before getting a piercing or tattoo.

Illinois

Minors under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian when entering a tattoo parlor. Also, children are not allowed to get a tattoo.

Indiana

To obtain a piercing or tattoo, a minor must have written consent and the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

Iowa

Tattooing a minor is considered illegal.
No laws exist regarding body piercing.

Kansas

Minors must have the presence and notarized consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Kentucky

To have a piercing or tattoo, minors require the parent or legal guardian’s written notarized consent.

needles for piercing scatters on the violet table

Louisiana

A minor can’t receive a piercing or tattoo unless a parent or legal guardian is present.

Maine

Tattooing a minor is considered illegal.
To get a piercing, a minor must have written parental or guardian consent.

Maryland

There are currently no age limits on body piercing or tattoos.

Massachusets

There are currently no age limits on body piercing or tattoos.

Michigan

Minors who wish to have a piercing must obtain written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Consent must be given personally.

Minnesota

Tattooing a minor is considered illegal.
To have a piercing, a minor must obtain witnessed written authorization from a parent or legal guardian. Minors are not permitted to have genital or nipple piercings, scarification, branding, suspension, microdermal, subdermal implantation, or tongue bifurcation.

Mississippi

Body piercing or tattooing a minor is considered illegal.

Missouri

Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Consent must be given personally.

Montana

Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Consent must be given personally.

Nebraska

To acquire a piercing or tattoo, a minor must obtain written authorization from a parent or legal guardian.

Nevada

There are currently no age limits on body piercing or tattoos.
The state does not regulate tattoo parlors or body piercing establishments.

New Hampshire

Minors who wish to have a piercing must obtain written consent from their parent or legal guardian and be in the presence of their parent or legal guardian.

New Jersey

Tattoos are permitted only with the written consent of a minor’s parent or legal guardian.

New Mexico

Minors must provide written consent and be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the tattooing or piercing process.

New York

Tattooing a minor is considered illegal.
Piercings require written parental consent.

North Carolina

Body piercing or tattooing a minor is considered illegal.

North Dakota

Minors must provide written consent and be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the tattooing or piercing process.

Ohio

The parent or guardian must sign a consent form and be present throughout the procedure.

Oklahoma

Tattooing a minor is considered illegal.
Minors must provide written consent and be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the piercing process.

Oregon

A parent or guardian must approve in writing and present identification.
Minors may be tattooed only with a physician’s authorization.

Pennsylvania

Minors must provide written consent and be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the tattooing or piercing process.

Rhode Island

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when receiving a piercing.
Minors are not permitted to be tattooed.

South Carolina

Without parental consent, minors under the age of 18 are not permitted to have tattoos.
A parent or guardian must either grant written, notarized consent or be present during the procedure for a body piercing.

South Dakota

Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo must obtain written consent from their parents or legal guardian.

Tennessee

A minor over the age of 16 may receive a tattoo to conceal an existing tattoo, but they must have their parent present and provide proof of identity.
To receive a piercing as a minor, written consent and the presence of a parent or legal guardian are required.

Texas

Minors who wish to have a tattoo must obtain written consent from their parent or legal guardian and be in their presence.
Only if the tattoo covers an ‘obscene or insulting’ tattoo and the parent believes it is ‘in the child’s best interest.’
A parent or guardian must provide proof of parentage or guardianship.

Utah

Minors must obtain parental or legal guardian consent prior to receiving a piercing or tattoo.

Vermont

Minors who wish to have a piercing or tattoo must obtain written approval from a parent or legal guardian.

Virginia

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when receiving a piercing or tattoo - this does not include ear piercing.

Washington

Tattooing a minor is considered illegal.
There are currently no age limits on body piercing.

West Virginia

There are currently no age limits on body piercing.
Minors must have their parent or legal guardian’s written consent before getting a tattoo.

Wisconsin

There are currently no age limits on body piercing.
Tattooing a minor other than a physician in the course of his or her professional practice is prohibited.

Wyoming

Minors must have verbal consent from a parent or legal guardian or be present for the whole process.

Now that you have an answer to your question, “how old do you have to be to get a piercing or tattoo?” Make sure that you make a wise decision and ask your parents for advice first.

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Krizzia Paolyn is a professional writer and SEO specialist.

About The Author

Krizzia Paolyn, is an SEO Specialist and author. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She started her career as a content writer for various digital magazines and renowned publications. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage others to share their voices as well.