With the growing acceptance of tattoos in society and the obvious rise in the percentage of people who are tattooed, countries around the globe had no choice but to relax their anti-tattooing laws.
In some cases, this meant allowing people of all ages to get tattoos, while others put age limits in place.
In the United States, every state has different regulations when it comes to tattoos and minors. Some states allow minors as young as 14 to get tattoos with parental consent, while others require minors to be 18 in order to get inked.
If you’re a minor with a thirst for your first tattoo living in Arizona, you’re probably wondering what the state’s laws are. And we’re here to help.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Tattoo in Arizona?
The good news is, Arizona is a state with one of the most lenient approaches as far as tattooing of minors is concerned.
Under the current laws, any person aged 14 or older can get a tattoo in Arizona, as long as they are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. The parents must sit through the whole session – whether it’s 15 minutes for a small finger tattoo or 5 hours for a half-sleeve.
Both the minor and the parent will have to prove their identity with a valid ID. This is because in case the artist gets tricked by someone who’s pretending to be the minor’s parent, they can be held legally responsible.
So if you’re 14 or older and have your parent’s permission, you can get a tattoo in Arizona. It’s as simple as that!
- Related: States Allowing Tattoos at 14
Do keep in mind, however, that these laws are subject to change at any time, so it’s always best to check with your local body art establishment or an attorney before getting inked.
Artist Has the Final Say
The final decision on whether or not to tattoo a minor rests with the artist.
They may choose not to tattoo someone under 18 for any number of reasons – personal beliefs, store policy, etc. So even if you meet all the legal requirements, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to find an artist who is willing to ink you.
To avoid frustration and losing time, the best way to find out is to call around and ask! Some tattoo shops may have a policy against tattooing minors, while others might be open to it on a case-by-case basis.
Should You Get a Tattoo Under 18?
The fact that you can get inked as a minor in Arizona and whether or not you should are two very different things.
There’s no denying that tattoos are permanent – once it’s inked, it’s there for life (unless you go through the painful and expensive process of laser removal).
So before making such a big decision, ask yourself if you’re sure about the design, the placement, and most importantly, if you’re sure about wanting a tattoo for the rest of your life.
Remember, a tattoo is not just something you can hide under your clothes when you need to – it’s a part of your body that everyone will see. So think long and hard before deciding to get one, because it’s a decision you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.
It’s not unusual for people who get inked super young to end up regretting their decision later on in life. So if you’re not 100% sure about getting a tattoo, maybe wait a few years until you’re absolutely certain.
In the meantime, you can always get a temporary tattoo or henna tattoo to tide you over until you turn 18 and can get the real thing!
