The minimum age to get a tattoo varies by country and region, but generally:
- In the United States , the legal age to get a tattoo without parental consent is 18 in all states. Some states allow minors to get tattoos with parental consent, but a few states (like Alaska, Arkansas, California, and others) prohibit tattooing minors under any circumstances. Tattoo artists may also refuse to tattoo anyone under a certain age regardless of legal permission
- In the United Kingdom , it is illegal to tattoo anyone under 18, even with parental consent. The only exception is for medical reasons performed by a qualified practitioner
- In Germany , there is no specific legal age limit, but tattoo artists are responsible for ensuring the client is mature enough to consent. Parental consent is not legally required but is often necessary in practice, and most reputable artists will not tattoo anyone under 18 without it
- In European countries , the minimum age varies. For example, in Jersey, the minimum age is 16 with parental consent, while in many other countries, it is 18 or parental consent is required for those under 18
- In Australia (Western Australia) , you must be 18 to get a tattoo. At 16, you can get a tattoo only with written parental consent
Summary
- 18 years old is the standard minimum age to get a tattoo without parental consent in most places.
- Parental consent may allow minors (usually 16 or older) to get tattoos in some regions.
- Some places have strict prohibitions against tattooing minors regardless of consent.
- Tattoo artists often have their own policies and may refuse to tattoo minors even with legal consent.
Always check local laws and studio policies before getting a tattoo.
