tattoo at 17?

Question

I have been thinking a long time about getting a tattoo. I know exactly what and where I want it (a small cross on my wrist), my parents are actually okay with it, but I have a problem... I am only 17, and I live in California. Which states can you get a tattoo at 16 with your parents? By the way, if you are going to lecture me about how I shouldn't get a tattoo, then don't even bother answering... I am an honor roll student, a varsity athlete, and I live in one of the best towns in the nation, literally, so I couldn't care about people's judgements.

The problem is I don't want to wait until I am 18 because I have almost a year, so I want to know what states I would be allowed to get one with my parents.

I can guarantee everybody that in California you must be 18, regardless of parental consent. I was thinking of getting it at places where they don't card, but that would be really sketchy.

Answer 1

Apon further research, the California Penal Code 653 states that "Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor."

So basically you don't get in trouble for it, they do. Get your parents to go with you and have them talk to the person doing the tattooing. I'm sure you'll be able to talk someone into doing it.

The only reason why the law exists is because of parents pressing charges against tattoo parlors for tattooing their kids. Now if your parents know about it, where's the problem in that?

So like I said, just bring your Mom/Dad with you and everything should be fine.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

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RE:
tattoo at 17?
I have been thinking a long time about getting a tattoo. I know exactly what and where I want it (a small cross on my wrist), my parents are actually okay with it, but I have a problem... I am only 17, and I live in California. Which states can you get a tattoo at 16 with your parents? By the way,...

Answer 4

I live in pittsburgh pennsylvania and i got my first tattoo when i was 15 years old and i didn't even go with a parent my aunt took me. She had to sign a paper saying she was my guardian but that was it and now I'm 18 and got 4 more without anyone. Once you get one tattoo most artist are just under the impression your old enough, For you to live in the best town in the nation that sucks you cant even have your parents take you too get one! Hey if you can make it here i can show you some great places to get one done! Good Luck your tat sounds really cute.

Answer 5

Let me start off by saying that I love tattoos, and I am absolutely not going to lecture you just because you want a tattoo.
I'm going to lecture you because your logic fails.

You want something to be on your skin for the rest of your life, but you can't wait a year?
I'd ask you to give me one good reason why you can't wait, but you wouldn't be able to.

Waiting the next year until you're 18 can do nothing but good.
If you end up changing your mind about the tattoo, you're lucky that you didn't get it before, and if you don't change your mind, no big deal.

Answer 6

why not wait? Its not going to endanger you to wait or anything. You have a year, I have two years to wait, just wait.
But if youre soooooo in absolute need of having a tattoo before youre 18 and youll die if you have to wait, call around tattoo shops. Some will tattoo you if youre over 16 with a parent.

Answer 7

Here's a site I found of all of the laws in each state for tattoos, and the only state that I could find that can tattoo at 16 with parental consent is Tennessee.

I don't think your parents will drive you that far, though.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/minorbodyart.htm

Answer 8

Open up the phone book and call around. Find out if there are any places near your that will let your parents sign for you. Tattoos under 18 are ok in Vegas with parental consent. My boyfriend got his first one at 17 with his mom there with him. If anything, see if your mom will drive down to Vegas with you and do it here. :)

Answer 9

No because it is illegal. It is an offence to tattoo a person under the age of eighteen except when the tattoo is performed for medical reasons by a duly qualified medical practitioner or by a person working under his/her direction. You cannot obtain a tattoo under the age of 18 - not even with your parents permission!

Answer 10

I think in Cali you can get one with parental consent! Your mom might have to go in with you. Call around to tattoo places and ask them this question.