Francesco Chiaramonte
You have to be 18 to get a tattoo in most of the United States, the UK, and many other countries. Some US states let 14 to 17 year olds get inked with a parent's written consent or presence, and a few states allow no tattoos under 18 at all. Even where the law allows it, many shops set their own minimum at 18. This guide sums up the rules by state and country, what consent looks like in practice, and what to check before you book.
Laws change, and the sources below date from 2022 to 2026. Treat this page as a starting point and confirm the current rule with your state or country health authority and with the shop.
Summary
- Most common rule: 18 and over, with a valid photo ID.
- US: Set state by state. Some states ban tattoos for minors, others allow them with a parent present or a signed (sometimes notarized) form.
- UK: 18, with no parental consent exception (Great Britain; Northern Ireland has its own rule).
- Elsewhere: Canada and Australia vary by province or state. Check local rules.
- Shops: Can be stricter than the law, and many refuse anyone under 18.
Legal Age for Tattoos in the United States
There is no federal tattoo age. Each state sets its own, and the answer ranges from "never under 18" to "14 or older with a parent's signature." The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) tracks these laws, but its page blocked automated access when I tried to read it. The table below uses two readable summaries instead: a November 2022 state list from Beauty and Ink and a May 2025 overview from a Texas law firm.
States that ban tattoos for minors
According to the 2022 Beauty and Ink list, these states do not allow tattooing under 18: Alaska, California, the District of Columbia, Maine, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington. Iowa is listed for unmarried minors. The 2025 law-firm overview also lists Illinois and New Hampshire as barring minors, while the 2022 list shows Illinois requiring a medical professional with a parent present. That is a good example of why you should check the statute for your state.
States that allow minors with consent
| Rule | States (as listed in 2022) |
|---|---|
| Written parental consent | Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia |
| Notarized written consent | Florida, Kansas, Kentucky |
| Parent or guardian must be present | Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Wyoming |
| Parent present or written consent | Arkansas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Virginia |
| Consent signed in the artist's presence | Idaho, Michigan, Ohio |
| Consent required, form not specified | Colorado, Utah |
| Specific age range with consent | Idaho (14 to 18), Tennessee (16 to 18) |
| No specific state law listed | Maryland, Nevada |
Source: Beauty and Ink, November 2022. Some states appear in more than one row. Georgia, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin are listed as requiring a medical professional, so a tattoo studio alone cannot do it.
Texas
Texas is a common search, so here are the details. A Texas law firm's April 2025 article states the minimum age is 18. The one exception it describes is a minor covering an existing tattoo, with a parent or guardian present and a signed consent form. Even then, the artist can say no.
Florida and New York
The 2025 overview says Florida allows 16 and 17 year olds with a parent present, and that New York usually requires a parent present for 16 to 17 year olds. The 2022 list instead puts New York among the states that ban minors and Florida among those that require notarized consent. If the two sources disagree for your state, the state health department or the statute is the final word.
How parental consent works in practice
Consent is not a casual text message from a parent. Where minors are allowed, shops typically ask for the following:
- A signed consent form, sometimes notarized (Florida, Kansas, and Kentucky are listed this way in 2022).
- A parent or legal guardian in the room, for the whole session in states like Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.
- Photo ID for both people. The minor's ID proves age, and the adult's ID plus proof of guardianship (such as a birth certificate) shows they can sign.
- A signature in front of the artist, as in Idaho, Michigan, and Ohio.
Call the shop before the appointment. Each studio has its own paperwork, and showing up without the right documents usually means a rebooking.
What ID do you need for a tattoo?
Plan on a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Tatship's guide says regulations often require government-issued identification, and that minors may need documented proof of parental consent. A school ID or a photo of an ID on your phone is often not accepted. A shop that tattoos you without checking ID is a red flag for the rest of its standards too.
Legal Age for Tattoos in the UK
In Great Britain, the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it an offence to tattoo anyone under 18. The only exception is medical tattooing by a qualified practitioner or someone working under their direction. Parental consent does not change this. The Act has a defence for artists who had reasonable cause to believe the person was 18 or older, which is why UK studios check ID. The Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, which has its own rules, so verify locally if you live there.
Legal Age for Tattoos Around the World
| Place | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 18, medical exception only | Legislation.gov.uk |
| Canada | Set by province. Most use 18, and some regions allow 16 with parental approval | Tatship |
| Australia | Varies by state. Most use 18 | Tatship |
| Victoria, Australia | Tattooing a minor is an offence even with parental consent | City of Geelong |
| New Zealand | 16 and up with parental consent | Tatship |
I could not verify exact rules for Germany, France, Italy, Japan, or individual Canadian provinces from an official source, so I left them out rather than guess. An earlier version of this page listed several European countries without a source. If you live in one of them, ask your local health authority or a registered studio.
Is there a maximum age to get a tattoo?
I found no age limit in any source I read. The rules above are about minimum age, and adults of any age can get tattooed. The practical concerns for older adults are skin condition, blood thinners, and other health issues, which a good artist will ask about. Talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition.
Can a 16 year old get a tattoo with parental consent?
It depends on the state. Under the 2022 list, a 16 year old can get a tattoo with a parent's involvement in states like Tennessee (16 to 18) and Idaho (14 to 18), and in states that require written or notarized consent. In a state that bans minors, such as California or New York (per the 2022 list), consent changes nothing. In the UK, a 16 year old cannot be tattooed legally in Great Britain.
Shop policies can be stricter than the law
Legal does not mean available. Shops can set a minimum age above the state limit for liability and ethical reasons, and a Texas law firm's article notes that artists may refuse even with consent. Many artists also dislike tattooing teens whose bodies are still growing, since designs can stretch or change. If you are turned away, that is a policy, not necessarily a law. You can browse local studios on the tattoo shops page and call to ask their age policy first.
Why age restrictions exist
- Permanence. A tattoo lasts for decades, and teenage tastes change quickly. Removal costs more than the tattoo, and you can estimate it with the tattoo removal cost calculator.
- Health and aftercare. Healing a tattoo takes weeks of cleaning, moisturizing, and sun protection. Our aftercare guide shows how much responsibility that is.
- Legal liability. Studios that break age rules can face fines or lose their license.
If you are not old enough yet
Waiting is not wasted time. Use it to learn what you like. Try a design on your skin with temporary options before committing to the real thing, and sketch ideas with the AI tattoo generator on Ink Studio AI. The generator makes concepts to discuss with an artist, not finished stencils. Check what a tattoo costs as well, since tattoo pricing often surprises first-timers. To see how common tattoos are, read how many people have tattoos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do you have to be to get a tattoo?
18 in most places. Some US states allow younger teens with parental consent, and some ban tattoos under 18 entirely. Great Britain requires 18 with no consent exception.
Can you get a tattoo at 16 with parental consent?
In some US states, yes, with a signed or notarized form or a parent present. In others, such as California, New York, and Alaska (per the 2022 list), no. Even where it is legal, the shop can refuse.
Can you get a tattoo at 17 without parents?
Not legally in most places. Where the law allows minors, it requires a parent's consent or presence. A shop that tattoos a minor with no paperwork is breaking the rules.
What is the youngest age to get a tattoo?
Idaho is listed in 2022 as allowing 14 to 18 year olds with consent signed in the artist's presence. Most states and countries set a higher floor, and many shops set it at 18.
Can you get a tattoo with a fake ID?
Don't. It can get the shop in legal trouble, and the artist may be charged in places where tattooing minors is an offence. Reputable studios check IDs carefully.
Is there a maximum age for a tattoo?
None that I found. Adults of any age can get tattooed, but ask your doctor if you take blood thinners or have skin conditions.
What if my state has no tattoo age law?
Maryland and Nevada were listed with no specific law in 2022. Shops there usually set an 18 rule themselves, so call before you book.
Conclusion
The safe answer to "how old do you have to be to get a tattoo" is 18, with photo ID. Below that, the rules depend on your state or country, and the shop has the last say. Confirm the current law and the studio's policy before you plan anything, and use the waiting time to build a design you will still like at 30.