Tattoos and Piercings Under Eighteen
MCA 45-5-623 — a child's tattoo or piercing needs a parent's explicit consent in person
Knowingly tattooing or piercing a child without the explicit in person consent of the child's parent or guardian is the offense of unlawful transactions with children. Failing to check the parent's or guardian's identity well enough is no excuse.
Who handles this in Montana: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Montana directory.
The penalty is a fine of up to $500, up to 6 months in the county jail, or both, and up to $1,000 for a second offense. The same section covers selling a child alcohol, tobacco or explosives.
Sources for this section (1)
- MCA 45-5-623 — Unlawful transactions with children
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Montana attorney.