In the United States, the legal age to get a tattoo is 18 years old. This is because all 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutory laws requiring a person receiving a tattoo to be at least 18 years old. However, in some states, minors can get a tattoo with written parental consent. The minimum age for this varies by state, but it is generally around 16 years old. In some states, such as California, it is a criminal offense to tattoo a minor under the age of 18. It is important to note that even if a state law permits it, most tattoo artists will not tattoo anyone under the age of 15 or 16 for safety and liability purposes. Additionally, some tattoo shops may have their own policies regarding minimum age requirements. If you are a minor aged 14 to 18 and want to get a piercing or tattoo, a parent or legal guardian must be present and give written consent.