Tattoos and Piercings Under Eighteen
MCL 333.13102 — a parent signs in the shop, with the birth certificate
No one may tattoo, brand or body pierce a minor without the prior written informed consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian, and proof of that person's authority to give it.
Who handles this in Michigan: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Michigan directory.
Signed in the shop, with proof. The parent or guardian signs the consent in the presence of the licensee or the licensee's employee or agent, and shows the minor's birth certificate or legal proof of guardianship. A signed note sent from home does not meet that.
The licensing of tattoo and piercing businesses and the penalties for breaking this rule are in other parts of the health code not covered here, and a local health department answers questions about a particular shop.
Sources for this section (1)
- MCL 333.13102 — Tattoo, brand or body piercing on a minor; consent
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.