As a 16-year-old teen, you may be excited about getting your first tattoo. However, getting a tattoo as a minor is a life-altering decision and should be taken seriously. For that reason, some states have legal requirements for minors regarding tattooing their bodies.
The minimum age to get a tattoo in the US is 18, but in many states, you can get a tattoo as a minor with parental consent. So, the question becomes, what states can you get a tattoo at 16?
This guide will take you through each state’s legal age requirements for tattooing.
What is the minimum age you can get a tattoo in each US state?
The legal age for tattooing in the US is 18; however, in some states, a person as young as 16 can get tattooed with full parental consent, and in a few other states, there are no laws concerning body art.
In the select States, the age regulations have been set aside because:
- Tattoos are a life choice that you, as a minor, might make in a rush and regret later in life.
- Tattoos are a medical procedure sometimes associated with skin infections if not properly done or taken care of. A minor might not be able to follow the aftercare instructions of a tattoo as provided by a specialist.
- As a minor, your guardian/ parent should weigh in on your tattoo decision and help you with a design that will not adversely affect your life.
It is important to know which states in the US allow teens to be inked. If you get inked in the states where tattooing below 18 years is prohibited, you risk getting fined or being prosecuted by the state.
The following are states where you can get tattoos at 16
- Alabama – Minimum age not specified, but the consent of a parent/ legal guardian is required
- Arizona – Minimum age not specified, but the presence of a parent/guardian is required
- Colorado – Minimum age not specified, but the consent of a parent/ legal guardian is required
- Connecticut – Minimum age not specified, but the consent of a parent/ legal guardian is required
- Delaware – Minimum age not specified but written parental permission is required
- Florida – The minimum required age is 16, and the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian or written consent is required.
- Hawaii –
- Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Idaho – The minimum required age is 14, and written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Indiana – Minimum age not specified, but the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian and written consent are required.
- Kansas – Minimum age not specified, but the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian and written consent are required.
- Kentucky – The minimum required age is 16, and consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Lousiana – Minimum age not specified, but the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian is required.
- Michigan – Minimum age not specified, but the previous written consent of a parent/ legal guardian in the presence of a licensee is required.
- Missouri – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Montana – Minimum age not specified, but the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian is required.
- Nebraska – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Nevada – The minimum required age is 14, and previous written consent and proper parent/ legal guardian identification are required.
- New Jersey – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- New Mexico – Minimum age not specified but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- North Dakota – Minimum age not specified, but physical presence, written consent, and proper parent/ legal guardian identification are required.
- Ohio – Minimum age not specified, but the consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Oklahoma – Minimum age not specified, but the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian is required.
- Oregon – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Pennsylvania – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- South Dakota – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent and signed form of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Tennessee – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Texas – Minimum age not specified, but the consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Utah – Minimum age not specified, but the consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Vermont – Minimum age not specified, but previous written consent of a parent/legal guardian is required.
- Virginia – Minimum age not specified, but the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian is required.
- West Virginia – The minimum required age is 16, and the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian, photo identification, and written consent is required.
- Wyoming – Minimum age not specified, but the physical presence of a parent/ legal guardian is required.
We hope this article has helped give you information on the states where you can get a tattoo at 16. If you are a minor, you should first consult with your parents and a trained specialist before getting a tattoo. Remember, parental consent is important.
