What is the legal age in Indiana to get a tattoo?

Q: Can you get a tattoo at 16 in OK?

In Oklahoma, the legal age to get a tattoo is 18. However, minors aged 16 or 17 can receive a tattoo with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian must be present during the tattooing process to provide this consent. Always check with the tattoo artist to ensure they comply with state laws.

Full question:

What is the legal age in Indiana to get a tattoo?

Category: Minors
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Indiana

Answer:

The applicable Indiana statutes are as follows:

IC 35-42-2-7 As used in this section, "tattoo" means:

(a) As used in this section, "tattoo" means:

(1) any indelible design, letter, scroll, figure, symbol, or other mark
placed with the aid of needles or other instruments; or

(2) any design, letter, scroll, figure, or symbol done by scarring;
upon or under the skin.

(b) As used in this section, "body piercing" means the perforation of
any human body part other than an earlobe for the purpose of inserting
jewelry or other decoration or for some other nonmedical purpose.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (e), a person who provides a
tattoo to a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age commits
tattooing a minor, a Class A misdemeanor.

(d) This subsection does not apply to an act of a health care
professional (as defined in IC 16-27-2-1) licensed under IC 25 when the act
is performed in the course of the health care professional's practice.
Except as provided in subsection (e), a person who performs body piercing
upon a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age commits body
piercing a minor, a Class A misdemeanor.

(e) A person may provide a tattoo to a person who is less than eighteen
(18) years of age or perform body piercing upon a person who is less than
eighteen (18) years of age if a parent or legal guardian of the person
receiving the tattoo or undergoing the body piercing:

(1) is present at the time the tattoo is provided or the body piercing
is performed; and

(2) provides written permission for the person to receive the tattoo or
undergo the body piercing.

(f) Notwithstanding IC 36-1-3-8(a), a unit (as defined in IC 36-1-2-23)
may adopt an ordinance that is at least as restrictive or more
restrictive than this section or a rule adopted under IC 16-19-3-4.1 or
IC 16-19-3-4.2.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Can I get a tattoo at 16 in Indiana?

In Indiana, you cannot get a tattoo at 16 without parental consent. A minor must be at least 18 years old to receive a tattoo independently. However, if a parent or legal guardian is present and provides written permission at the time of the tattoo, a 16-year-old can receive one. It’s important to ensure that the tattoo artist follows this legal requirement to avoid penalties for tattooing a minor.