In California, is there any place you can get a tattoo if your under 18?

OK, no tattoo shop in California will do it. It is illegal, regardless of parental/guardian consent. And really, how responsible of you would it be to get a 16 year old child a tattoo on her wrist? You obviously haven't lived enough to know that this can have such a negative impact on a person later in life, once they try to get jobs out of high school or college.

You say you don't want to disappoint her, that is very immature of you to say. What if she got a crappy tattoo at 16, and as she got older, had trouble finding a job because of a stupid teenage mistake? Would you like to be the one responsible for her paying more money for a cover up or removal, and being turned down for employment? What if she got an infection, and had to spend time in the hospital? Are you going to pay for her medical treatment?

You're not old enough to understand the impacts tattoos can have, and you're definitely not old enough, or mature/responsible enough, to make such a decision for your 16 year old sister. What do your parents think about this? Or do they even know? I own a tattoo shop, and this is the reason I think nationally, the laws should change, to make the legal age to be tattooed 21. I also think parental consent should be outlawed everywhere, and it should be illegal for a minor to even set foot in a tattoo shop.

California Penal Code [section 653]:

653. Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under

the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor.

As used in this section, to "tattoo" means to insert pigment under

the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle

or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible

through the skin.

Notice, nothing is said about bringing in a parent/guardian. Shops don't make their own rules, they have to follow the written laws. If you don't believe me or the law I have posted, do yourself a favor, call a shop and ask them. It doesn't even matter, you're not her guardian.

No professional will tattoo someone under 18. If they claim to be professional and they tattoo someone under 18 then they arent. They could get sued so bad if they did. It puts their job on the line. Some people might do it but I wouldnt trust them if they did. Tell your sister to wait until shes 18. If she wants the tattoo bad enough now and knows she'll love it for the rest of her life then she'll most likely still want it when she's of age. Plus if she waits it will give her more time to think about the tattoo.

And what the girl below me said is not true. Parent consent only applies to piercings.

And please dont find a tattoo artist that works out of his or her home... they work out of their home for a reason.. most likely either because they arent good enough to be a professional or because they havent been through the proper training and/or classes to become a professional.

It's illegal for minors to be tattooed in California. Any place willing to do it wouldn't be safe. Just say no to underground tattoo shops.

She may be disappointed about having to wait 2 years, but she'll be a whole lot more disappointed if she ends up with a really crappy tattoo....or Hepatitis.

In CA it is illegal to tattoo a minor, regardless of parental consent. Any place that would break the law and tattoo your sister illegally is NOT a safe and professional place, do NOT take her there. Just tell her to wait, it's only a couple of years.

I would think that any tattoo parlour would do it if your parent signs for you...but do you really want to keep a tattoo for the rest of your life that you thought was a good idea when you were 17?

i agree with the first answer, a professional will not tattoo you if you are under 18 even with parent consent. you would have to find an freelance tattoo artist that works out of his home. there are quite alot of good ones that are very professional., just look until you find the right one.(and be careful, i went to a freelance tattoo artist, because he is really good. but he flaked on me. $300 from me, and wouldnt finish mine or my friends tattoo.)

but in LA my sister who is 16 got a tattoo, it was at the boardwalk. but the tattoo turned out crappy, the ink rejected and is all blotchy.

so be careful where you go!

No, it is illegal for a minor to get a tattoo in California,and you can't take her anyways.

Every state in the US requires a parent signature if you're under 18.