Tattoos and Piercings Under Eighteen
720 ILCS 5/12C-35 — no tattoo under 18 even with a parent; a piercing needs written consent
| Under 18 | The rule |
|---|---|
| Under 18Tattoo | The ruleNo one but a licensed physician may tattoo a person under 18, with or without a parent |
| Under 18Body piercing | The ruleOnly with a parent's or legal guardian's written consent; ear piercing is not covered |
| Under 18Mouth piercing | The ruleThe written consent must include a set warning about infection, nerve damage, numbness and life threatening blood clots |
| Under 18Being in the shop | The ruleA minor may not be on the premises where tattooing or piercing is done unless a parent or guardian is along |
Who handles this in Illinois: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Illinois directory.
Each is a Class A misdemeanor. Emancipated minors are not covered by the piercing rule, and tattoo removal for victims of certain crimes or former gang members is allowed at a registered shop.
Sources for this section (2)
- 720 ILCS 5/12C-35 — Tattooing the body of a minor
- 720 ILCS 5/12C-40 — Piercing the body of a minor
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Illinois attorney.