Tattoos and Piercings Under Eighteen
S.C. Code 44-34-100 — no tattoo under 18 at all, and no tattoo on anyone's face or neck
| Under 18 | The rule |
|---|---|
| Under 18Tattoo | The ruleUnlawful, with or without a parent |
| Under 18Body piercing | The ruleOnly with a parent or legal guardian present, or by their notarized written direction; an emancipated minor is not covered |
Who handles this in South Carolina: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the South Carolina directory.
No tattoo on the head, face or neck, at any age. It is unlawful for a tattoo artist to tattoo any part of another person's head, face or neck. Neither a tattoo nor a piercing may be done on someone impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The minor and the minor's parents are not punished under these sections. The artist or piercer who breaks them faces a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year, or both. Questions about a particular shop go to the state health department.
Sources for this section (2)
- S.C. Code 44-34-100 — Unlawful acts; penalties
- S.C. Code 44-32-120 — Minors or persons impaired by drugs, alcohol, or otherwise incapable of consenting
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.