What is the Legal Age to get a Tattoo in Every State of America?

Most states in the USA require you to be 18 to get a tattoo. However, some are as low as 14 and there are a handful of states that have no legal tattoo age laws at all. If you're interested in the legal age to get a tattoo around the entire world then check out our comprehensive guide on the topic here. However, if you are curious about the United States and the legal tattoo age per state then you are in the right place. Let's get into the data!
Legal age to get a tattoo in Alabama
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Alabama. However, you do need parental consent in the form of a written note which is signed in the presence of the artist.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Alaska
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Arizona
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Arizona. However, the parent of guardian must be present at the time of the tattoo.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Arkansas
18 years old. It is illegal to get a tattoo under the age of 18. No parental consent rules apply in Arkansas.
Legal age to get a tattoo in California
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Colorado
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Connecticut
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Connecticut.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Delaware
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Florida
16 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Georgia
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Hawaii
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Hawaii.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Idaho
14 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Illinois
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Indiana
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Indiana.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Iowa
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Kansas
16 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Kentucky
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Kentucky. However, parental consent can be requested by the tattoo artist.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Louisiana
16 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Maine
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Maryland
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Maryland.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Massachusetts
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Michigan
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Michigan.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Minnesota
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Mississippi
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Missouri
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Missouri.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Montana
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Montana.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Nebraska
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Nebraska.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Nevada
Nevada state law does not enforce or regulate any tattoo rules. This means there is nothing stopping you getting a tattoo in Las Vegas or Nevada. Not even your age.
Legal age to get a tattoo in New Hampshire
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in New Jersey
16 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in New Mexico
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in New Mexico.
Legal age to get a tattoo in New York
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in North Carolina
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in North Dakota
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in North Dakota.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Ohio
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Ohio.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Oklahoma
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Oregon
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Pennsylvania
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Pennsylvania.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Rhode Island
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in South Carolina
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in South Dakota
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in South Dakota. However the parent or guardian must sign a consent form allowing the person to be tattooed.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Tennessee
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Texas
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Utah
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Utah but you must have parental consent in the form of a written note and provide ID.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Vermont
There are no laws in relation to tattoos in Vermont. This means it does not matter how old you are.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Virginia
There is no legal age requirment to get a tattoo in Virginia.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Washington
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in West Virginia
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in West Virginia.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Wisconsin
18 years old.
Legal age to get a tattoo in Wyoming
There is no legal age requirement to get a tattoo in Wyoming.
Some frequently asked questions in relation to the topic:
Can I get a hand or neck tattoo as a minor?
Typically tattoo artists will not tattoo the hand or neck area on people underage because they understand that we regret a lot of the decisions we make as children and young teenagers. They are likely to refuse tattooing this area for that reason.
Are body piercing laws the same as tattoo laws for minors?
No. Laws for body piercings are different.
Can a tattoo artist go to prison for tattooing a minor?
The short answer is yes. However, the laws vary a lot depending on the state. Since tattooing is technically a medical procedure the law can be strict when applying punishments. It is more likely the tattooist will receive a fine but do you really want to take the risk? Most tattoo artists are not desperate enough for work that they will risk their career.
Summary:
You should now know how old you have to be to get a tattoo in the state you live in but it's a good idea to check with your desired tattoo artist before paying a deposit to make sure. You will likely have to sign a contract before going ahead with the tattoo.
If you are underage and are thinking about getting a tattoo anyway, I would reccomend waiting because most good and reputable tattoo artists will not tattoo a minor and you could end up with some ink that you may regret. Patience is key. If you are finding it really hard to resist the urge then why not get a tattoo design created first? This may scratch the itch and you will also end up with a really cool tattoo design. We have plenty of artists available to hire that are ready to draw your custom tattoo idea. No matter the style, you should be able to find a professional tattoo designer. Good luck!