Tattoos and Piercings Under Eighteen
Penal Code 653 — a tattoo under 18 is a misdemeanor, and the section names no exception for a parent
Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor. The section has no exception for a parent's consent; the only one it names is a licensed practitioner of the healing arts acting in the course of practice.
Who handles this in California: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the California directory.
| Under 18 | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Under 18A tattoo | What the law saysNot allowed, a misdemeanor for the person who does it |
| Under 18Body piercing | What the law saysAn infraction unless a parent or guardian is there, or directs it in a notarized writing |
| Under 18Ear piercing | What the law saysNot counted as body piercing |
| Under 18An emancipated minor | What the law saysThe piercing rule does not apply |
Neither the minor who was pierced, nor the parent or guardian, nor any other minor is punished under the piercing section. Whether a particular case fits is a question for a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Penal Code 653 — Tattooing a person under 18
- Penal Code 652 — Body piercing a person under 18
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.