Nearly one-third of adults have at least one tattoo and 22% have more than one. Despite these trends, every state still has a legal age limit on who can get tattoos.
Tattoo Laws In All 50 States
Most states require you to be over 18 to get a tattoo without parental permission. Here are each state’s specific laws:
Alabama
Those under 18 can get a tattoo if they’re accompanied by a parent or guardian who signs a written consent form.
Alaska
Alaska law requires you to be over 18 to get a tattoo without explicit exceptions.
Arizona
You can get tattoos in Arizona if you’re over 18 or under 18 if you show up with a parent or legal guardian who gives consent.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, people as young as 16 can get tattooed, provided a parent gives their consent.
California
In California, you must be 18 years old to get a tattoo, without exception.
Colorado
18-year-olds can get tattoos in Colorado, as can 16- and 17-year-olds who receive parental consent.
Connecticut
Connecticut allows 18-year-olds and minors who are emancipated or have a parent’s written consent to get tattooed.
Delaware
You’ll need parental consent if you’re under 18 and are looking to get a tattoo in Delaware.
Florida
In Florida, you can be as young as 16 and receive a tattoo, so long as your parent or guardian goes with you and presents a signed and notarized consent form.
Georgia
You must be 18 to get a tattoo in the Peach State. The only exception is if you’re a minor and you get a tattoo from a licensed osteopath or technician.
Hawaii
Those under 18 can get tattoos in Hawaii with a parent or guardian’s written permission.
Idaho
If you have your parent's written consent and they go with you to the parlor, you can get a tattoo as young as 14 in Idaho.
Illinois
Only 18-year-olds can legally be tattooed in Illinois. The only exception is if you’re a minor and you get a tattoo from a “person licensed to practice medicine in all its branches.”
Indiana
To get tattooed in Indiana, you must be 18 or a minor with a parent’s presence and written consent.
Iowa
Only those 18 or older, along with emancipated minors, are able to receive tattoos in the Hawkeye State.
Kansas
Kansas law requires you to be 18 or have a parent or guardian present with you and give written, notarized consent before you can be tattooed.
Kentucky
Sixteen-year-olds can get tattooed in Kentucky with a parent or guardian’s written, notarized consent.
Louisiana
If you want to get a tattoo in Louisiana, you must be over 18 or have a parent or guardian accompany you and provide their consent.
Maine
Only those 18 or older can be tattooed in Maine.
Maryland
Emancipated minors and those with a parent’s written permission can get tattooed in this state.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is another state where you must be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo.
Michigan
To get tattooed in Michigan, you must be 18 or older, be a minor with your parent’s written consent, or be emancipated.
Minnesota
Unless you’re an adult over 18, you need parental consent to get a tattoo in Minnesota.
Mississippi
Mississippi law requires you to be 18 or older to get a tattoo, with no exceptions.
Missouri
Adults over 18 and minors with written parental consent can be tattooed in the Show Me state.
Montana
If you want to get a tattoo in Big Sky Country, you must be at least 18 or have a parent or guardian present and sign a written consent form.
Nebraska
Nebraska residents aged 18 and older can get a tattoo, as can minors with a parent or guardian present during the procedure.
Nevada
Nevada doesn’t have a statute establishing a minimum age for getting a tattoo. However, local jurisdictions and individual shops may have their own regulations.
New Hampshire
You must be 18 or older to get a tattoo in New Hampshire.
New Jersey
New Jersey law also requires you to be 18 or older to get a tattoo.
New Mexico
Minors can get tattooed in New Mexico if their parents provide written, notarized consent.
New York
According to New York law, only those 18 and older can get tattooed.
North Carolina
You must be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo in North Carolina.
North Dakota
If you aren’t 18 or older, you’ll need your parent’s consent and their presence during the procedure to get tattooed.
Ohio
Those under 18 who are accompanied by a consenting parent can get tattooed in Ohio.
Oklahoma
If you aren’t 18, you’ll need your parent’s consent and presence at the procedure to be tattooed in Oklahoma.
Oregon
With limited exceptions, only those 18 or older can legally receive tattoos in Oregon.
Pennsylvania
Minors who have a parent or guardian present to give consent can get a tattoo in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, those under 18 can only get tattoos for accepted medical reasons.
South Carolina
Only those 18 or older can be tattooed in the Palmetto State.
South Dakota
You must be 18 or older to get a tattoo in South Dakota.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, those as young as 16 can get a tattoo with a parent or guardian’s presence and consent if it’s to cover an existing tattoo.
Texas
Generally, only adults 18 or older can get tattooed in Texas, except when covering an existing tattoo.
Utah
Only a doctor can authorize a tattoo for someone under 18 in Utah.
Vermont
Unless you’re 18 or older, you’ll need your parent or guardian’s written consent to get tattooed.
Virginia
A parent or guardian can consent to a minor receiving a tattoo if they’re physically present.
Washington
Only those 18 or older can legally receive a tattoo in Washington State.
West Virginia
Minors who are 16 or 17 can be tattooed if they have a parent present who also consents in writing.
Wisconsin
Generally, only those 18 or older can be tattooed in Wisconsin.
Wyoming
Wyoming only allows adults 18 and older to get tattooed.
Additional Requirements May Apply
These are just the basic state-level laws governing who can get tattooed in the U.S. At a minimum, every tattoo shop or parlor must follow the age requirement set by their state’s laws. However, remember that they can adopt more stringent requirements to provide an extra buffer from negligence claims.
Contact the Dallas Personal Injury Law Firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Dallas personal injury law firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Our office is conveniently located in Dallas, near the Dallas Downtown Historic District. We serve statewide throughout Texas.
Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC
701 Commerce Street, Suite 703
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 615-6394