Anderson Injury Lawyers | April 7, 2025 | Texas Law
You might be surprised to hear that there is no overarching federal law that sets the minimum age to get a tattoo. Instead, each state sets its own regulations. As such, if you’re a Texas minor looking to get a tattoo — or a parent of one — here’s what you need to know about the Lone Star State’s tattoo laws.
Age And ID Requirements To Get A Tattoo In Texas
Under Texas law, you must be 18 to get a tattoo, and the state takes its age restriction quite seriously. Before giving anyone a tattoo, an artist must verify a client’s age, and the client themselves must show a government-issued ID (a driver’s license, passport, or military ID card).
From there, the artist must record the client’s age, date of birth, and the type of ID they provided.
A Notable Exception
Unlike some states that don’t allow minors to receive tattoos, Texas has one important exception: If a minor and their parent or guardian want to cover up an offensive tattoo, they may be able to receive a cover-up. To receive a tattoo under this exception, you must meet stringent requirements:
Types Of Tattoos
Texas law states that for a tattoo artist to be able to legally cover a minor’s tattoo, that tattoo must contain one or more of the following:
- A gang-related symbols, names, or markings
- Offensive or obscene symbols or language
- Names, pictures, or symbols related to drugs
If a minor has a tattoo with other words or markings that a parent or the court believes would be in the minor’s best interests to cover, a tattoo artist may be legally permitted to cover it.
Parental Consent
Texas also has several legal protections in place to ensure that the person claiming to be a minor’s parent or guardian is, in fact, who they claim to be.
Even if a minor’s tattoo clearly meets the criteria for being covered, the minor’s parent or guardian must do all of the following to verify their identity and that of the minor:
- Be physically present when the tattoo is covered
- Complete an affidavit stating they are the parent/guardian of the minor in question
- Give the studio a photo or detailed description of the tattoo to be covered
- Giving the studio verification of the minor’s identity
- Provide the artist with their full name, address, and phone number
A reputable tattoo artist will make sure they have all the necessary documentation before giving a minor a cover-up tattoo; otherwise, a court may find them negligent.
Additional Restrictions On Tattoos In Texas
Even if you’re 18 or older (or are a minor whose parent approves of a cover-up for an offensive tattoo), Texas law imposes a few additional regulations:
- You may not be tattooed if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- An artist may not tattoo skin with rashes, abrasions, boils, infections, or any other signs of poor health.
- An artist must inform clients (and parents, if applicable) of the potential risks of getting a tattoo.
Artists also must maintain meticulous client records, which help promote public safety. The Texas Department of State Health Services licenses tattoo artists and may need to investigate serious tattoo infections and other adverse reactions.
Can You Suffer An Injury From A Tattoo?
Serious tattoo artists care about maintaining their licenses, so they have strict sterilization protocols and make sure they follow the law. However, irresponsible or unscrupulous artists can cause infections and other complications for their clients.
If a tattoo artist’s negligence directly causes a major injury, you might be able to recover compensation to cover your medical bills and other expenses.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 820, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
