How Old Do I Have to Be to Get Tattooed?
At Ephemeral, we adhere to the same regulations and practices as permanent tattoos, even though our ink is designed to fade within 3 years.
And in the U.S., the standard rule is that you must be 18 years or older to get a tattoo, although some states have specific exceptions.
States Requiring a Minimum Age of 18 for Tattoos
The states that require you to be 18 years or older to get a tattoo include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Exceptions to the 18-Year-Old Requirement
- Florida: Minors aged 16 and older can get tattoos with notarized parental consent.
- Idaho: Minors can get tattoos at 14 with written parental consent, executed in the presence of the tattoo artist.
- Kansas: Minors aged 16 and older can get tattoos with written, notarized parental consent, and the parent must be present during the tattoo.
- Louisiana: Minors aged 16 and older can get tattoos with parental consent, and the parent or guardian must be present during the tattoo.
- New Jersey: Minors aged 16 and older can get tattoos with written parental consent, and the parent or guardian must be present during the tattoo.
- Tennessee: Minors aged 16 and older can get tattoos with written parental consent.
- Virginia: Tattoos for minors require parental consent unless performed by a physician.
- Wisconsin: Only physicians can tattoo minors, typically for medical reasons.
We compiled this information with as much accuracy as possible, however you should always verify local regulations and speak to your tattoo artist who may have their own policies based on their industry experience.
Why Ephemeral Follows Permanent Tattoo Practice
On one hand, we founded Ephemeral to empower risk taking and creativity. A made-to-fade tattoo allows anyone to wear a tattoo without being restricted by the fear of change and enables limitless self-expression.
On the other hand, we believe putting anything on your body requires thoughtfulness and care, especially when it involves needles.
As the creators of the first and only made-to-fade tattoo ink, we do not have any regulatory precedent to follow and decided following consistent permanent tattoo practice would make tattoo artists' lives easier.
How to Get an Ephemeral
Only Artist Partners are approved to use Ephemeral products. You can book with any one of them here: GET THE TATTOO.
Our eventual goal is to make it possible for customers to receive Ephemeral tattoos from any tattoo artist. If you want your favorite artist to become an approved Artist Partner, please direct them here: BUY THE INK.
Ephemeral Tattoo is on a mission to create a world of limitless self-expression with its proprietary and innovative made-to-fade tattoos. Founded in 2014 out of NYU, Ephemeral seeks to make it possible for any BODY to enjoy a tattoo despite religious barriers, fear of permanence or indecisiveness.