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The legal age to get a tattoo varies by state in the United States. Most states require you to be 18 years old to get a tattoo without parental consent. However, some states allow minors to get tattoos with parental consent, while others have complete bans on tattooing minors.
Check your state's age requirements βIn some states, 16-year-olds can get tattoos with written parental consent and parental presence during the procedure. States like Arkansas, Colorado, and Nevada allow tattoos at 16 with proper parental authorization. Always verify current state laws before proceeding.
Compare state laws βMost states do NOT allow 14-year-olds to get tattoos, even with parental consent. The minimum age in states that allow minor tattoos is typically 16 or 17 years old. States like Alabama, California, and Georgia prohibit all tattoos on minors under 18, with penalties up to $5,000.
Read FAQ β18 years old
No exceptions. Tattooing minors is illegal in California, even with parental consent. Penalties include fines up to $5,000 and license revocation.
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No exceptions. Texas law prohibits tattooing anyone under 18, regardless of parental consent. Violations result in Class A misdemeanor charges.
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Florida allows tattoos at 16 with written parental consent. Parent/guardian must be present during procedure with valid ID verification.
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New York prohibits all tattoos on minors under 18. No parental consent exceptions. Violations can result in criminal charges and fines.
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Illinois requires individuals to be 18 to get tattoos. Parental consent does not change the age requirement. Strict enforcement statewide.
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Georgia law prohibits tattooing minors under 18 without exceptions. Medical tattoos for reconstructive purposes may be considered on case-by-case basis.
Learn more βIf you're wondering "can I get a tattoo at 16 with parental consent" or "what states can you get a tattoo at 16", the answer varies significantly by location.
In most states, yes. Getting a tattoo under 18 is illegal in the majority of US states. Tattoo artists face penalties ranging from $500 to $10,000 in fines, license suspension, and even criminal charges. Minors and parents can also face legal consequences.
Looking for specific state requirements? Use our interactive comparison tool to find age limits, consent requirements, and penalties in your state.
Compare All 50 States βIn most states, no. Only states with parental consent laws (like Florida, Arkansas, Colorado) allow 17-year-olds to get tattoos with proper authorization.
The legal tattoo age is 18 years old in most US states. A few states allow 16-17 year olds with written parental consent and parental presence.
No. All 50 US states prohibit tattooing 15-year-olds, even with parental consent. The youngest legal age is 16 in select states.
In 35+ states, yes. However, about 10-15 states allow minors aged 16-17 to get tattoos with documented parental consent and supervision.
You can legally get a tattoo at 18 years old nationwide without restrictions. Some states allow 16+ with parental consent.
Tattoo age requirements vary from 16 to 18 years old depending on state laws. Use our age checker tool for your specific state.
In most US states, you must be 18 years old to get a tattoo. Some states allow minors aged 16-17 to get tattooed with written parental consent and parental presence during the procedure.
It depends on the state. States like Alabama prohibit tattooing minors entirely, even with parental consent. Other states like Florida allow it at age 16 with notarized parental consent.
Providing false information about your age to get a tattoo is illegal in most states. You could face fines, and the tattoo artist could lose their license and face criminal charges.
This varies by state. Some states require only written consent, while others require the parent or legal guardian to be physically present during the tattoo procedure. Check your state's specific requirements.
Not always. Some states have different age requirements for piercings versus tattoos. Ear piercings often have lower age limits than body tattoos.
It depends on your state. States like Colorado and Idaho allow this, while states like Alabama, Alaska, and California do not permit tattooing anyone under 18 regardless of parental consent.