Tattoos and Piercings Under Eighteen
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 324.520 — a parent's written consent, signed in the shop
No one may knowingly tattoo, brand or body pierce a minor, a person under the age of eighteen, without the prior written informed consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian, signed in front of the person doing the work or their employee or agent. Ear piercing is not body piercing under the section.
Who handles this in Missouri: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Missouri directory.
Pretending to be the parent is a crime. Anyone who fraudulently claims to be the parent is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
The licensing of tattoo and piercing establishments is in nearby sections not covered here. Questions about a particular shop go to the state licensing office or the local health department.
Sources for this section (1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 324.520 — Tattooing, branding and body piercing of minors
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.