Age of Reason: Piercing and Tattoo Laws and Age Limits
ByBecause there’s no specific federal laws and regulations concerning age limitation for body modifications in the United States, each state sets their own standard, and the differences vary widely. So how do you know how old you have to be in your state? Well, here’s a little helping hand:
In the states of Alaska, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon, there are no laws concerning age limits for body piercing or tattooing. In these states, individual professionals in either of these arts will often set their own standards, and depending on exactly where you live, there might be local regulations for certain specific modification types. Even though it’s legal to get pierced in these places under the age of sixteen, piercers will often require parental presence or consent in those situations, and for some services a valid ID will be required.
In Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, there are no age limits for piercing, but tattooing of a minor requires parental consent in either verbal or written form.
The following states require written consent from a parent or guardian for any body piercing or tattooing of someone under 18: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont. In some of these places, like Florida and Kentucky, the written consent form must be notarized.
And in these states, a parent must actually be present for either service, and sometimes also provide a signature or written consent: Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.
The states of California, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Washington, deem it illegal for those under 18 to get a tattoo, period, but piercings are allowed with the presence or consent of a parent.
Most of the remaining states have very specific regulations. For example, for residents of Idaho, it’s illegal to get pierced, branded, or tattooed under the age of 14, and between fourteen and eighteen you need a parent’s permission. And in the state of Mississippi, any modification except ear lobe piercings is illegal to perform on someone under 18 at all. Also, in both Georgia and Illinois, only medically licensed professionals can tattoo minors, and both piercing and tattooing require parental permission.
In other countries, like those in the UK, legal age is 16 rather than 18 like in the US, and piercing regulations are often set up by local governments. Intimate piercings are illegal under the age of 16, but for other piercings there are no strict age limits, and the most common municipal regulations include simply the presence or consent of a parent.
Body Piercing is very dangerous and risky task i think. i am against of all these things, but i like the laws. thank you for sharing this post.
I’m 15 in two months and I want a nose stud . I’m scared but I want to try something new (:
it doesnt hurt that bad. i actually pierced my own nose and its fine
ive had it about 7 months. im 13 and it doesnt hurt. cartilage hurts alot more. i have 3 ear lobe, 1 cartilage and my nose pierced. 
hopes this helps
How did you pierce it..? And how did your parents feel about it.?
Uhm, you take a needle. Sterilize it. And stick it through.
LOLOLOL, you shouldn’t do it on you’re own unless you actually know what you doing! Because if you’re stupid and careless it’s gonna get infected
You can also cause serious problems if you pierce it yourself.. like lose your smell or paralyzed im pretty sure… so wouldn’t recomend it.
Haha I pierced my nose myself with a piercing earing in 9th grade.. I got lucky and haven’t gotten infected however this is very dangerous. And my dad still picks on me but they like it despite me going behind their backs.. Oops lol. But seriously get it done professionally.. I did my belly button the same year By myself (stupid choice) and It got ripped out and extremely infected.. I ended up in the E.R. Also I agree with @erika the only part that hurt was the very inside when it was just about to pop through due to cartilage. But I love my nose ring and wouldn’t change it (it’s been 2 years) hope this helps a little
the higher it is on your nose, the higher it hurts, though im not saying that it really hurts cause for the most part it doesn’t
can you tell me where in new jersey people at the age 13 can get a belly button piercing?
does anybody know how old you have to get your belly button pierced with your mom or dad?? i wanna get mine done and im 13… but i can’t find a place that will do it…does anyone know of a place that will give you a belly button piercing at the age of 13 with an adult in the state of Missouri???
Depends what state you live in
No sorry… Lol but I’m 11 and I have mine done
If you don’t wait until you have stopped growing the belly button piercing will grow out of you.
i got mine at 12. im 16 now and have just stopped growing, it will not grow out i have 10 piercings i have never had one reject or “grow out of me” this includes my six hip dermals.
Im 13 Yrs. Old and My Parents Said I Can Get 1 Tattoo If i Really Want Too . I Just Wanted Too Know Is It Legall For ME To Get One In The State Of illinois ???
Although according to most sources it’s not technically illegal, only licensed medical professionals can tattoo anyone under 18 in your state, and since the law is so strict, you’re not likely to find anyone who will tattoo you at 13 regardless of permissions.
You really shouldn’t get a tattoo at the age of 13. I’m 16, and I have one that I got about a month ago, and I already regret it. I’m not saying you will regret it, but you really shouldn’t get something permanent on your body at such a young age. Especially when you’re not very mature, and you can’t even spell correctly.
Honestly if you get a tattoo that actually means something to you and isn’t just for looks then you wont regret it.
u can if the person is medically licensced and ur parent comes with u.
Im 13 and i got my belly button pierced at 12
I got mine done 11 : P
Well, I’ll be 15 in 2 weeks and I want a tattoo for my brother that is now dying of liver cancer, and my mom said she would take me… I live I’m Ohio, is it
Legal for her too take me to get it done?
Yes, it is legal!
No bro you jus have to have a parent cuz my brother git a tat at 14
Okay,How old must I be to get a tattoo in Georgia? And do I need parental consent? I’m almost 16,by the way.
you have to be 17 in the state og georgia with your parent and you have to have the same last name. GA is a very strict place to get tattooed and pierced in. im 15 and my dad is a tattoo artist. u have to be 17 and have your parents, no other way…. put it like this im 15 and i can not get a tatt till i am 18
In Georgia, you must be 18 years old to get a tattoo. Once you’re 18, you’re an adult, so parental consent is not required.
I want to get my septum pierced on my 13th birthday. I live in Georgia. Can someone tell me if I can get this done at 13 years old? Thanks.
You can get it done, I wanted to get a bar put in my ear at 12 and it was legal. Just find a place you want to get it done and call to see what the requirement for age is
i am 13 yrs. and i want my lip pierced but how old do i have to be?
Im 13 but I lied to the people and said i was 14 and got it done.
I want to get my lip pierced. I’m 14 about to turn 15 but my mom won’t let me unless I find someone who can do it in kansascity.
i am very nervous about this: i am gonna get my cartilage pierced and i am 10. i wanted to know if it hurt? i saw a couple youtube vids and they said it didnt hurt so i am not that worried just wanted to know thanks
no hunny just no
It hurts a lot!!! But it looks cute and the pain only last a while!!!!
It hurts a lot, and you’re only 10!! Wait a few years before you decide if you really want to stick pieces of metal in your body!
No I’m 12. I was 9 when I got my cartilage pierced and it was painless
Your not supposed to get your cartalige pierced until your 13 because thats when your cartilage finishes growing……
When I got mine it hurt a lot, and I would wait until you’re older
I am 16 years old and live in Louisiana. I want to get a tattoo of my son’s name that is no longer with me. would my parent have to be present? my dad said it would be fine but im not sure if he would take me himself because he is very busy all the time
where can I get my belly button pierced with my friends parent & not mine at a age of 15
That is not true i live in New York the age Limit is 18 for a tattoo, consent or not the age limit is 18.
I’m 14 and my dad said I could get a tattoo done by a professional at a tattoo parlor. Is this legal in the state of Arkansas?
No, and you really should wait until you’re more mature. This is something you’ll have on your skin for the rest of your life. Also, you’re probably still growing, and your skin will stretch and move to adjust to your growing body. You don’t want to end up with a permanent stretched out tattoo.
Does anybody know how old you need to be in West Virginia to get a tattoo? I want an L with a cross and a heart for my late baby cousin Leon. I’m 14 and my dad said he didn’t mind as long as it was within the law.
dont do it. wait at least 2 years. i can bet you 1000 dollars ur skin is still growing. wait then get it. believe me my dad is a tatt artist he has seen it all
how old do you have to be to get your lip peirced in minnesota? does it hurt? people say it doesnt..im 13 by the way..
im 10 and i want to know if it is legal in the state of north carolina to get a helix piercing
No
I’m 11 and apperanlty “mature” for my age but I’d wait to at least 11 1/2-12 even though that is still young. I’ve wanted a belly button piercing that has a cancer ribbon because either my mom or I have cancer so yeah.
im 16 and i have 2 tattoos and both my ears pierced and nether of them hurt as bad as people say they do. they say that to scare you to where you dont want to get a tattoo or pierced
Next month I’ll be 17, and I really would like to get my belly button pierced for my birthday. I live in Missouri and cannot legally have it done without guardian consent. Though I am 5 minutes away from Kansas, where there’s not an age limit. Although I’m a resident of Missouri, can I still have it done in Kansas?
Yes you can. I’m 15, have mine done. I’m getting a tattoo for my 16th birthday in December.
You don’t have to be a resident, but because you are 17 you might need parental consent.
i am turning 16 in a few months. what is the age limit in getting a tattoo in oklahoma?
Um, in the UK, i want my lip pierced…can i get it pierced without my mum there? i know my friend did…how strict are piercers? :s i’m 15 in like a week anyway, and the job i want allows me with facial piercings.
I’m 13 and I live in the US, I was wondering what the age limit is for getting an eyebrow piercing, and the cost?..
Both of those factors will generally depend on the state you live in. The best way to find out is to do a search for piercers in your area and then check their websites for the information. Depending on where you live and how the individual piercer feels about it, you might be able to get your eyebrow pierced at 13 (with parental permission of course.) Hope this helps, and thank you for the comment!
I’m 12 years old, i live in Connecticut, i want to know if im able to get a tattoo if i get my parents permission?
I’m 11and I’m wondering how old I need to be in Florida to get a tattoo
15 or 16. Your only 11. Wait.
I’m 12 and I was wondering if I could get a tatto legally in Arizona it’s not big it’s just going to be like a small heart in memory of my g ma
No, your 12!
you should
Ha you probobaly can just make sure it’s not huge or it might grow out and get all deformed:) us I have to wait 2 years till I stop growing to get my tattoos
if your 12 you shouldnt even be able to get a tattoo and plus you cant even spell tattoo.
I’m 12 and I want to get my lip pierced my dad and mom said yes but what is the age limit
i got mine done at 10
depends where you live
Okay so I just turned 16 , I have proof of my age and I want my septum pierced. Oh and I live in North Carolina, will this be possible for me ?
How old do you have to be to get a piercing in Puerto Rico cause I’m turning 15 in 2 months and I want to get 2nd piercings, but I want to get it alone cause my mom doesn’t let me get them.
I’m 16 years old and I live in Las Vegas.
I really want my tongue pierced.
Do I need a parent with me to get it pierced?
It depends on where you go. I’m 12 (Turning 13 at the end of the month) and I’m gonna get snakebites :3
im going to be 17 in 26 days and i want a tattoo of my sons name. i live in north carolina, how old do i have to be to get one with a parent permission?
I’m 14 turning 15 in 2 months and wanted to get a tattoo of a lily in memory of my father. Is it legal in the state of new York with parent consent?
yes you can get it done with a parent consent
Aren’t you the same person who just yelled at a 12 year old for wanting a tattoo? What makes you think you’re so much smarter and more mature than someone so slightly younger than you? Sorry hun, but 15 is not adult, not even close. And by the way, no tattooing under 18 in New York, regardless of parental consent. They changed the law a few years ago. No tattoos under 18 period.
I am 13. I want to get a Monroe piercing in Georgia. Am I old enough. I think.
I’m 13 an I wanna get my septum pierced an my mom said it’s okay but I don’t know any good shops in fort worth Texas that would do it for me. you have you be 16 but I really really want it (I’m not trying to be immature) an if anybody out there knows a good shop please please tell me.
I’m 13 turning 14 in march and I really want snakebites. I got my moms permission and everything but I can’t find any places to do it unless I’m 16. is it legal? And is there any places near Detroit that will do it (:
im 13 and ill be 14 in march as well but alot of my friends have theirs done and just lie about there age. I dunno how it works just yet and im trying to bribe my mom into it. haha. good luck with the snake bites tho:3
how old do i have to be to legally do tattoos or get my tattoo license
you have to be 18 or older then you can get it.
i have a strict mother who i have never asked for a facial piercing from, and my dad is gonna be away until like 3 months later. i just asked her for an ear cartilage piercing, and i also REALLY want spider bites (2 lip piercings about a centimeter or so apart). how do i ask her? she looked at me funny when i asked for the ear cartilage piercing, and said “I’ll think about it.” so what will she say/think of me when i ask for spider bites?!?!?! please help me!!!
ok so im 13. I look around 16/17, but cant I get a nose stud if I don’t have an ID? if my mom is there and does the whole ID n drivers thing do I still have to show my date of birth n such? please and thank you >.< xD!
No one that is 12, 13, or 14, should be allowed to get body modifications. These are big decisions that little children are not old enough to make.
With that said, the laws, in my opinion, should be much stricter on children under the age of 16.
Alright so do you have to be a legal resident in Washington to get a tattoo as a minor with consent?
Im going to be sixteen by the time I get it and it is a cancer ribbon for my dad.
So I’m 16 and I want to get a tattoo with my 26 year old sister. We’ve been planning on getting sister tattoos for a long time. Is there any way I can get one in the state of Tennessee with parents permission?
i’m 14 and love drawing. i had a best friend since i was 4 and he was shot and didn’t make it. well 2 weeks before he drew me a lovely drawing. i live in va very close to west va. i talked to my parents and they said they would take me to get his drawing tattooed if i found a place that would do for me. Am i allowed to get one in west va if i have a parent with me?
According to the West Virginia Public Health Sanitation Rules, tattooing of minors is allowed in West Virginia, but the state requires that written permission is provided by a parent or guardian, so even if they come with you, the tattoo parlor may still require written consent as well. The best way to find out is of course to call the parlor you’re interested in and ask. Like in all states, some artists will be more willing to tattoo younger individuals than others. Good luck with your tattoo!
I’m 13, and I live in North Dakota I want my belly button pierced, am I able to? What’s the law? Please help
In your state, piercing studios require a parent or guardian’s permission to pierced a minor, but there’s no law stating an age cut-off, so as long as your parents come with you and you can find a piercer willing to do it, it’s legal. Good luck!
Im 12, I will be 13 in March 13th.. Over spring break im going to Louisiana, and i want my belly button pierced, can i get it done at 13 in louisiana with a parents consent?! I live in Mississippi and know here you have to be 18 either way. But i dont know in Louisiana! Please help(: Thanksss!!
It’s legal to pierce minors in the state of Louisiana, but the consenting parent has to be physically there with you when you go to get it done. Also, because you’re so young, you may still find piercers who are uncomfortable with it, so it’s best to call ahead to a parlor you want to go to and make sure. Good luck!
i am 16 and want my hips pierced. I live in Illinois how old do i have to be? cause i live with an older sis an my mom isn’t around so she is the only one who would be able to sign. is that legal ?
i know somone who got a hip peircing but it kept popping out and stuff. So if you 1: go to the chiropractor 2: are fairly active in sports or something or 3: pop out your hip occasionally, i would really rethink where you want to put your peircing. But it is legal if your sister is your legal gaurdian
I’m 15 and I live in North Dakota. I really want to get my nose pierced and also my lip. I have parental consent. But is it legal?
It’s legal, but your consenting parent has to be with you when you actually get it done and will also need to sign a consent form. Sen us a picture on Facebook or Tumblr when you get your piercings!
IAM sixteen and want a tattoo, I live in Oregon, what is the legal age??!!
With parent consent and sign off..!!
Im 15 almost 16 and i want to get a tattoo and my belly button done! i live in utah. could anyone tell me where to go to get it done and is it legal.?
It’s legal in Utah but a consenting parent has to be physically present at the time of the service and usually needs to sign paperwork confirming their approval.
Does anyone know the age you have to be to get a lip piercing in Massachusetts? I’m 12 and I’ve always wanted to get one :3
I went to a tattoo convention this past weekend and got a small tattoo. Long story short, the artist did not complete job as described and tattoo not well completed. Also, when I confronted her professionally she refused to talk rationally with me. I also mentioned to her that she never got a signed consent or valid id from me. I know this is illegal, but who can I report her to?
so how old do i have to be to get a piercing in South Carolina without parental consent? I’m 17 and have some piercings but all with a parent being there but I’m goin to SC on vacation with friends and we are all getting new piercings but i dont know if i can because I’m 17
Nobody under 18 can get pierced in South Carolina. Sorry.
Since you live in a state where you can, it might be a better idea to get pierced together before you leave. Good luck, and have as great vacation.
Hey im 13 gonna be 14 and I have wanted a septum piercing for a few years! And i live in Kansas, So do I need parents permission to get it done. Even if my older sister took me (she is 21). Also I wanted to know if I get it done what is the healing time i’ve been told a lot of different times lol thanks kelly! Ps. im not looking for anyones opinon just simple facts thx
Ok so I’m 12 and I want to get my nose pierced. is it legal to get my nose pierced in the state of Florida?
Im 13 and i know its legal for me to get my industrial bar in my ear but every time i go to a place that does piercings they say i have to be 16 with parents permission… Btw i live in Florida
I’m 13 and want to get a tattoo of my brother’s name on my back. He left a couple years ago and its really important to me. Does anybody know when it’s a good idea to get it? My parents say that if I want it I’m fine making my own decisions.
I Live in canada Ontario.. And im 11 turning 12 In june.. Would I be able To Get a septum pericing? without parents signature? if so.. how much will it cost.. and were would i get it?,…
I’m 14 I look 15 and I want to know in the state of New Jersey if I can get my belly button pierced without my parents consent.
i live in iowa and i got my belly button pierced a day after my 16th birthday with out my parents having to be there. I also got my nose pierced with out my parents consent. I dont understand why people are saying you cant get it done with your parents consent because i did
So I live in New York and am turning 16 this summer. I was just wondering if I can get an ear piecing by myself and without parental permission. My mother approves but my father does not and I would prefer they be upset with me as opposed to each other. It’s not like a big deal or anything. The biggest I would go is a barbell in my cartilage or something. To be honest I don’t really know what the big deal is. I am practically more mature than any of the adults in my life anyway and feel that I should be able to express myself.
Are these laws current and true??? Because I’m 16 and my mom would let me get any piercing I want and maybe a tattoo… I live in Wisconsin and this page says it’s allowed but with consent but not needing presence of a parent (because my mom doesn’t like watching, lol). But I hear from other people and places that in Wisconsin you have to be at least 16 and presence of adult where piercing or tattoo of a minor is being done. I hope that law isn’t true because I want piercings and tattoos to express myself.
my mom issss ok with it though so…
I’m 13 and I live in Florida, am I old enough to snake bites?
Im 12 and want to get snakebites on my 13th b-day, i’ve been wanting them for a while, and i understand the committment and risks. I have confronted my mom a cauple of times and she says she doesn’t want me to get more peircings until I am 16. I live in Wisconsin, USA right now but will be in Germany when my birthday comes around and I will be living with my dad. Should I just ask him when i get there. My mom didn’t seem to care much when I got my 2nd peircing (ear) done without asking her when i was at my dads at 9 yrs. I just wanted to get some other peoples oppinion. thx
You are all just scaring people about piercing things by yourself if your not stupid about it and actually clean it and take care of it then it won’t get infected and if your smart and it starts to hurt when your pushing the needle through take it out. I’ve pierced my noes, lip, cartilage, second and third holes and my belly button twice and nothing happened to me because I was smart about it and did my research
I’m 14 in the state of Tennessee and I was wandering if I can get my tongue pierced?
And where at in Dickson tn can I do it at?
I know some people that got there’s professionally done and they were 15. I live in north Carolina too and I know its ridiculous that you can’t get a simple piercing by yourself.
Dang it I’ll be 16 iN 3 months and I live in North Carolina, and I wanted a tattoo so bad, but now I know its illegal. So disappointing!!!!
I’m sixteen now, and want to get my tongue pierced. Also I live in Colorado, so now I’m a little bummed that I have to be 18 without parental consent :/
Ok I live in north Carolina. I will become 17 in 13 days. I really want my tounge pierced. I wanna know how old do you have to be where you don’t have to have a parent present?
can you get a tattoo at the age of 15 in virginia with your parents permission?
i am 16 and i was wondering do i need a parent present when i get my lip pierced. i ask this because i have been devorced from my parents for a couple months and i live in the state of south carolina