By Type (4)
Adult Tattoo Consent – For an adult to give consent to an artist for a tattoo on themselves.
Adult Piercing Consent – For an adult to give consent to a piercer for a body piercing on themselves.
Minor (Child) Tattoo Consent – For an adult to give consent to an artist to allow a tattoo on their child.
Minor (Child) Piercing Consent – For an adult to give consent to a piercer to allow a body piercing on their child.
Parental Consent Requirements: By State
In most cases, a minor is able to be tattooed or pierced. It usually requires the consent of the parent or guardian and often requires them to be present during the procedure. Below, you can find the laws to see if it is legal for a minor to obtain a piercing or tattoo in your state.
| State | Law | Allowed? |
| Alabama | § 22-17A-2 | Yes, with written parental or guardian consent. |
| Alaska | AS 08.13.217 | Piercings – Allowed with written parental/guardian consent. Written consent must be kept by the piercer for 3 years.
Tattoos – Not allowed. |
| Arizona | § 13-3721 | Yes, with the parent or guardian present. No written consent is required. |
| Arkansas | § 20-27-1502 | Yes, with the parent or guardian present and written consent. Piercer or Tattoo Artist must keep the written consent for at least 2 years. |
| California | PEN Code 652 | Piercings – Allowed without consent if in the earlobes. If not, written consent required with notarization or the parent or guardian must be present during the procedure.
Tattoos – Not allowed on minors whatsoever. |
| Colorado | § 25-4-2103 | Yes, with the parent or guardian’s express consent. |
| Connecticut | § 19a-92g | Piercings – Permitted with the parent/guardian’s consent. If in earlobes, consent is not required.
Tattoos – Not allowed unless for medical reasons. |
| Delaware | § 1114 | Yes, if the parent or guardian provides written and notarized consent. Ear piercings are exempt from this requirement. |
| Florida | § 381.0075 | Piercings – Permitted without consent if in the ear. Otherwise, written and notarized consent is required. If below the age of 16, the parent or guardian must be present.
Tattoos – Yes, with written and notarized consent. The parent/guardian must also be present. A minor younger than 16 may not be tattooed unless for medical purposes. |
| Georgia | § 16-5-71.1 | Piercings – Yes, with the parent or guardian’s written consent. Piercings to the earlobe do not require consent.
Tattoos – Not permitted on minors unless for medical reasons. |
| Hawaii | § 321-379 | Piercings – No current piercing laws.
Tattoos – Allowed with written consent from the minor’s parent or guardian. Consent forms must be kept at the tattoo shop 2 years. |
| Idaho | § 18-1523 | Yes, if above the age of 14 and with written consent from the parent or guardian. Consent is not required if a piercing to the earlobe. |
| Illinois | ILCS 5/12C-40 | Piercings – Yes, if the minor has written consent from their parent or guardian. Ear piercings do not require consent.
Tattoos – Not permitted on minors. |
| Indiana | § 35-42-2-7 | Yes, if the parent or guardian is present and provides written consent. Piercings to earlobes are excluded from this requirement. |
| Iowa | § 135.37 | Piercings – No current regulations regarding body piercings.
Tattoos – Unless married, a minor may not receive a tattoo. |
| Kansas | § 65-1953 | Yes, if the parent/guardian is present and gives written and notarized consent. Documents must be kept by the business for 5 years. |
| Kentucky | § 211.760 | Yes, with the parent or guardian’s written and notarized consent. |
| Louisiana | § 14:93.2 | Yes, if the parent or guardian is present and gives their consent. If a body piercing, only consent is required. |
| Maine | § 4323 | Piercings – Yes, if the minor has written consent from their parent or guardian.
Tattoos – No, it is illegal to tattoo a minor. |
| Maryland | § 10.06.01.06 | Yes, if the minor’s parent or guardian signs a consent form in the presence of the operator or a qualified individual. Earlobe piercings do not require consent. The business must retain consent forms for 3 years. |
| Massachusetts | Model Regulations for Body Art Establishments | Piercings – Yes, if the parent of guardian is present and signs a form of consent. Genitalia piercings are not permitted.
Tattoos – No, minors are not allowed to receive tattoos. |
| Michigan | § 333.13102 | Yes, with the parent or guardian’s written consent. |
| Minnesota | § 146B.07 | Piercings – Yes, if the parent/guardian is present and signs a consent form in front of the technician. Piercings to the nipple or genitalia are not allowed.
Tattoos – No, a technician is prohibited from operating on a minor. |
| Mississippi | § 73-61-3 | Piercings – Allowed if the piercing is to the outer ear or lobe. All other piercings are prohibited.
Tattoos – No, a minor may not be tattooed. |
| Missouri | § 324.520 | Yes, if the parent/guardian is present and signs a written consent form. Ear piercings are allowed without consent. |
| Montana | § 37.112.158 | Allowed if the parent/guardian is present during the procedure and gives their explicit consent. |
| Nebraska | § 38-10,165 | Yes, if the parent/guardian gives written consent and is present. Ear piercings do not require consent. Consent forms shall be kept by the technician for a period of 5 years. |
| Nevada | No State Regulations | Regulations vary between Nevada Health Districts. Standard regulations should apply. |
| New Hampshire | § 314-A:8 | Piercings – Yes, if the parent/guardian gives their consent and is present during the procedure. Records shall be kept by the technician for 7 years. Piercings to the earlobe are excluded from these requirements.
Tattoos – No, a minor may not receive a tattoo. |
| New Jersey | § 2C:40-21 | Yes, with the parent or guardian’s written consent. |
| New Mexico | § 16.36.5.11 | Yes, with written proof of the parent or guardian’s presence and consent. Consent is not needed for piercings to the earlobe. Records must be kept for 3 years. |
| New York | § 460-a | Piercings – Yes, if the parent or guardian signs a consent form in the presence of the shop owner or technician. Such forms must be kept by the shop for 12 months. Consent is not required for ear piercings.
Tattoos – Not allowed. |
| North Carolina | § 14-400 | Piercings – Yes, with prior consent received from the parent or guardian. Piercings to the ear are exempt.
Tattoos – No, not allowed in the State. |
| North Dakota | § 12.1-31-13 | Yes, if the parent or guardian gives written consent and is present during the procedure. |
| Ohio | § 3730.06 | Yes, if the parent or guardian is present and provides written consent. |
| Oklahoma | § 842.1 | Piercings – Yes, written consent is required unless making a piercing to the ear. The parent or guardian must be present during the procedure.
Tattoos – Not allowed. |
| Oregon | § 331-905-0110 | Piercings – Yes, with written consent of the parent or guardian, signed at the shop location. Applies to ear piercings and standard body piercings only.
Tattoos – No, a minor may not be tattooed unless for medical reasons. |
| Pennsylvania | § 6311 | Allowed if the parent or guardian gives their consent and is present during the tattooing/piercing. |
| Rhode Island | § 23-1-39 | Piercings – Allowed if the minor is accompanied by his/her parent or guardian during the procedure and if the parent or guardian gives their consent.
Tattoos – Not allowed unless for medical purposes. |
| South Carolina | § 44-32-120 | Piercings – Yes, if the parent/guardian is present during the procedure or with written and notarized consent. No consent required for piercings to the earlobe.
Tattoos – Not permitted. |
| South Dakota | § 44:12:02:13 | Yes, with the parent or guardian’s written consent. |
| Tennessee | § 62-38-306 | Piercings – Yes, with the parent/guardian’s written consent. The parent/guardian must be present during the procedure. Piercings done by an ear piercing gun are exempt.
Tattoos – Allowed on minors age 16 or older when covering up an existing tattoo only. The parent/guardian must be present and sign a consent form. |
| Texas | § 146.0125 | Piercings – Allowed without consent if in the earlobe. Otherwise, the parent or guardian must be present and give consent.
Tattoos – Yes, if covering up an existing tattoo only. The parent/guardian must be present and give consent. |
| Utah | § 76-10-2201 | Allowed if the parent or guardian gives written consent and is present at the time of the procedure. Piercings to the ear do not require consent. |
| Vermont | § 4102 | Piercings – No State regulations.
Tattoos – Allowed with written consent from the parent or guardian. |
| Virginia | § 18.2-371.3 | Yes, if the minor’s parent or guardian is present during the procedure. Consent is not needed for ear piercings. |
| Washington | § 26.28.085 | Piercings – No State laws.
Tattoos – No, a minor may not receive a tattoo. |
| West Virginia | § 16-38-3 | Piercings – There are no State regulations.
Tattoos – Allowed if the parent or guardian provides written consent. Consent forms shall be kept on file for 5 years. |
| Wisconsin | § 221.10 | Piercings – Yes, a minor age 16 or older may be pierced if the parent/guardian signs a consent form in the presence of the operator. Ear piercings are exempt from this requirement.
Tattoos – For any reason other than medical purposes, a minor may not be tattooed. |
| Wyoming | § 14-3-107 | Allowed with verbal consent from the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must also be present at the time of the procedure. These requirements do not apply to ear piercings. |