Tattoos and Piercings Under Eighteen
G.S. 14-400 — no tattoo under 18 at all, and piercing only with a parent's consent
It is unlawful to tattoo any part of the body of a person under 18 years of age, with or without a parent's permission. It is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Who handles this in North Carolina: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the North Carolina directory.
Piercing any part of the body other than the ears of a person under 18, to hold earrings or jewelry, takes the prior consent of a custodial parent or guardian. Without it, that is a Class 2 misdemeanor too.
Tanning and the licensing of tattoo artists are under other law not covered here. Questions about a particular shop go to the local health department.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 14-400 — Tattooing; body piercing prohibited
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.