Tattoos Under Eighteen
RCW 26.28.085 — no tattoo for a minor at all, with or without a parent
Every person who applies a tattoo to a minor under the age of eighteen is guilty of a misdemeanor. The section has no parental consent exception. A tattoo here includes any permanent marking or coloring of the skin, and any procedure that leaves a visible scar.
Who handles this in Washington: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Washington directory.
Checking ID is the only defense. Not knowing the minor's age is no defense, unless the tattooist proves a reasonable, good faith attempt to learn it by requiring a driver's license or other picture ID, rather than relying on what the minor said or looked like. Medical procedures by a licensed physician are exempt.
Piercing and tanning are not covered by this section. A misdemeanor carries up to ninety days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Questions about a particular shop go to the local health department.
Sources for this section (2)
- RCW 26.28.085 — Applying a tattoo to a minor
- RCW 9A.20.021 — Maximum sentences
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.