In the past two decades, we’ve seen a massive improvement in how people with tattoos are perceived in society.
No longer are they considered to be only for convicts or sailors, but people from all walks of life have been increasingly getting inked.
This has led to many states in the US easing the age restrictions on tattoos, and even some schools are allowing students to have them.
This is good news for minors who fell in love with the art and want to kickstart their tattoo collection early.
Nowadays, most states allow for inking minors (people under 18) if they’re currently between 16-17 years old and can provide notarized parental consent.
But in this article, we will look at a more extreme case – a case of a 14-year-old that wants to get inked without having to wait a few more years.
So, in What States Can You Get a Tattoo at 14?
Before we move on to the list of states that allows minors aged 14 to get legally inked, it’s worth mentioning that there’s no federal law in the US regulating tattoos (or body piercings).
This means that each state is free to set its own age limit for getting a tattoo. What connects all the states, however, is that the required minimum age to get tattooed without parental consent is 18.
When it comes to getting inked with parental consent, the rules are a bit more relaxed, but they also vary from state to state. Some states don’t allow tattooing folks under 18 under any circumstances, while others have a chilled approach as long as the minor’s parent or guardian is present during the tattooing session.
So, if you’re hell-bent on getting a tattoo at 14, you’ll need to get your parent’s permission and find a state that will accept your request.
Below find all the states that will let you get a tattoo at 14 years old with parental consent:
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Alabama
To get a tattoo at 14 in Alabama, you will need to present a written consent form from your parent or legal guardian. The state doesn’t require the parent to sit through the session but considering such young age, a tattoo artist might not agree to ink you without the parent being present.
Read more about Alabama’s tattoo laws.
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Arizona
The state allows you to get inked at 14 with your parent sitting by your side during the tattoo session.
Read more about Arizona’s tattoo laws.
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Arkansas
In Arkansas, both the written consent form and the presence of your parent/guardian are required by the state to go ahead with the procedure.
Read more about Arkansas’ tattoo laws.
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Colorado
The state’s tattoo regulations require you to present a written parental form to get tattooed as a minor. Again, your safest bet would be to have your parent sit with you during the session.
Read more about Colorado’s tattoo laws.
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Connecticut
In Connecticut, you will need a signed parental form that gives the tattoo artist the go-ahead to start inking you. The state doesn’t require your parent/guardian to stay for the entirety of the procedure but it’s advisable.
Read more about Connecticut’s tattoo laws.
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Delaware
Delaware is another state whose only requirement for inking a minor is notarized parental consent.
Read more about Delaware’s tattoo laws.
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Florida
In Florida, you need both written parental consent and the physical presence of your parent or legal guardian during the tattoo session.
Read more about Florida’s tattoo laws.
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Georgia
Although getting a tattoo at 14 is theoretically possible in Georgia, it’s a hassle.
The tattoo regulations here state that the tattooing of a person under the age of 18 can be done exclusively by a licensed osteopath or technician acting under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or osteopath. In other words, 14-year-olds getting inked in Georgia are mostly doing so for medical reasons.
Read more about Georgia’s tattoo laws.
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Hawaii
As a 14-year-old in Hawaii, you will need written parental consent to get tattooed.
Read more about Hawaii’s tattoo laws.
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Idaho
The state requires both written parental consent and the physical presence of a parent during the tattooing procedure.
Read more about Idaho’s tattoo laws.
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Indiana
Both written parental consent and the parent’s physical presence are required by Indiana to get inked as a 14-year-old minor.
Read more about Indiana’s tattoo laws.
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Kansas
You will need a notarized parental consent form to get tattooed at 14 in Kansas. The state also requires the presence of the parent during the tattoo session.
Read more about Kansas’ tattoo laws.
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Kentucky
The regulations in Kentucky are pretty straightforward when it comes to tattoos and 14-year-old minors. You need a notarized parental form and your parent needs to be physically present during the tattooing procedure.
Read more about Kentucky’s tattoo laws.
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Louisiana
No written form is needed in Louisiana to get tattooed at 14 as long as your parent or legal guardian is physically present during the session and signs off on it.
Read more about Louisiana’s tattoo laws.
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Maryland
As things stand, there are no rules or regulations in Maryland that would prohibit a 14-year-old from getting tattooed – that’s because the body art industry isn’t regulated state-wide. To make sure you’re fine to get inked at such young age, you need to check with the specific county you want to get tattooed in.
Read more about Maryland’s tattoo laws.
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Massachusetts
The same applies to the state of Massachusetts – since there are no statewide laws or regulations pertaining to body art, you need to check with the specific county you want to get tattooed in.
Read more about Massachusetts’ tattoo laws.
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Michigan
To get tattooed at 14 in Michigan, you will need a written parental consent form that is delivered in person by your parent/guardian to the tattoo shop. The state doesn’t require the physical presence of a parent during the procedure but it’s advisable.
Read more about Michigan’s tattoo laws.
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Missouri
Michigan’s approach applies here as well – as a 14-year-old, you need written parental consent that is delivered in person to the tattoo artist.
Read more about Missouri’s tattoo laws.
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Montana
Montana too requires the parent to deliver the written consent in person to the tattoo shop.
Read more about Montana’s tattoo laws.
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Nebraska
The state of Nebraska requires a written parental form from all 14-year-olds eager to get inked.
Read more about Nebraska’s tattoo laws.
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Nevada
There are currently no laws officially regulating tattoos in the state of Nevada – however, most tattoo shops here will require parental consent for anyone under the age of 18. Submit to the approval from the tattoo artist, a 14-year-old shouldn’t have a problem getting inked up in Nevada.
Read more about Nevada’s tattoo laws.
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New Jersey
Written parental consent is mandatory for all New Jersey residents younger than 18 who want to get tattooed – that includes 14-year-olds.
Read more about New Jersey’s tattoo laws.
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New Mexico
Both written parental consent and the parent’s physical presence are required in New Mexico before a 14-year-old can get tattooed.
Read more about New Mexico’s tattoo laws.
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North Dakota
The state requires both written parental consent and the parent’s physical presence during the tattooing procedure.
Read more about North Dakota’s tattoo laws.
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Ohio
The state of Ohio requires both a written parental consent form as well as the actual physical presence of the parent during the tattoo session for all 14-year-olds who want to get inked. The parent should sign the said form in front of the artist.
Read more about Ohio’s tattoo laws.
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Oregon
Getting inked as a 14-year-old in Oregon is quite a hassle. Not only will the parent have to sign the form, be present during the session and show proof of identity but the procedure will have to be authorized by a physician.
Read more about Oregon’s tattoo laws.
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Pennsylvania
Both written parental consent and the parent’s physical presence are required in Pennsylvania before a 14-year-old can get tattooed.
Read more about Pennsylvania’s tattoo laws.
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South Carolina
Written parental consent is mandatory for all South Carolina residents younger than 18 who want to get tattooed – that includes 14-year-olds.
Read more about South Carolina’s tattoo laws.
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South Dakota
Written parental consent is mandatory for all South Dakota minors who want to get tattooed – that includes 14-year-olds.
Read more about South Dakota’s tattoo laws.
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Texas
Both written parental consent and the parent’s physical presence are required in Texas before a 14-year-old can get tattooed. What’s more, tattoos may only be applied to hide an “obscene or objectionable” existing tattoo, and the parent must feel that doing so is “in the best interest” of the child.
Read more about Texas’ tattoo laws.
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Utah
Written parental consent is mandatory for all Utah residents younger than 18 who want to get tattooed – that includes 14-year-olds.
Read more about Utah’s tattoo laws.
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Vermont
In order to get a tattoo at 14 in Vermont, you will need to provide a written parental consent form.
Read more about Vermont’s tattoo laws.
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Virginia
The presence of the parent is mandatory during tattoo application for all 14-year-olds in Virginia.
Read more about Virginia’s tattoo laws.
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West Virginia
14-year-olds need a written parental consent form in order to get tattooed in West Virginia.
Read more about West Virginia’s tattoo laws.
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Wyoming
The state requires verbal parental consent for all 14-year-olds who want to get tattooed and the parent’s presence during the session.
Read more about Wyoming’s tattoo laws.
State’s Laws vs Artist’s Moral Compass
Please note that while some states may have more lenient laws when it comes to tattoos and minors, the artist always has the last say. They may refuse to tattoo someone under the age of 18 even if they have parental consent due to their own moral compass. This especially applies to minors as young as 14. It’s always best to call the shop ahead of time to inquire.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that a tattoo is a permanent decision. If you are not sure, wait until you are of age or, at the very least, wait until you are certain.
