Laws on tattooing minors in NC?

Question

I'm moving to North Carolina this summer. I turn sixteen this August and was planning on getting a tattoo for my birthday. My parent's have agreed to give consent. I was able to find laws on piercings online (with parental consent it's okay) but I couldn't find anything on tattoos. What are the laws on tattooing in NC? With parental consent could a sixteen year-old get a tattoo?

-no judgmental comments please. It's small, meaningful, in an area easy to cover up (foot), and my parents approve.

thanks in advance:)

Answer 1

You cannot do it in NC. They have the toughest laws in the US. You have to be 21 without parental consent, and 18 with parental consent. In no way would they tattoo a sixteen year old, it's highly illegal.

Answer 2

Well, now that you've had your daily ego boost (I'm referring to the "you're cute) post above me, I have to potentially be the *****. You SHOULD NOT get a tattoo in ANY shop that offers tattoos to minors without parental consent. Any shop that practices this is shady and untrustworthy. It's important that a tattoo shop is trustworthy and follows the law because otherwise you may go home with both a shitty tattoo and HIV from equipment that wasn't correctly sterilized. But, the good news is that to the best of my knowledge, most shops WILL ink you if your mom signs a parental consent form. That's the way It is in most of the united states, I've never heard of a law that says differently. My best recommendation would be to call around to the best/most reputable tattoo shops in your area and ask exactly that- if you're allowed to get a tattoo in their shop with parental consent. You NEED to have it done professionally and safely. A bad tattoo will be there for the rest of your life, which I'm sure you're aware of. If you're right about the no tattoos under 18 thing (which I don't think you are,) you MUST wait until you're 18. Don't settle for anything less.

Answer 3

I have lived in NC for the last 3 years and I know a girl who had several tattoos before she was 18. However it is considered a misdemeanor to tattoo anyone under the age of 18. Now depending on where you live in NC there are amateur tattoo artists that may do it for you depending on who you know. But remember it is basically forever so make sure you find someone who is talented.