In Ontario, there is no official legal minimum age to get a tattoo. However, the common practice among most tattoo shops is to require individuals to be at least 18 years old to get a tattoo without parental consent. Those who are 16 or 17 years old may be able to get a tattoo if they have a parent's or legal guardian's signed consent form. Many reputable tattoo studios will not tattoo anyone under 18 without such consent due to liability issues and industry standards. Some tattoo artists may set additional restrictions or have policies that require in-person consultations and limitations on tattoos for those under 18.
So, to summarize:
- Minimum age without parental consent: 18 years old
- With parental consent: Some shops tattoo from age 16 and older
- Most reputable shops will not tattoo anyone under 16
- Policies can vary, so checking with the specific tattoo studio is recommended.
This reflects both the legal landscape and industry-standard practices in Ontario.
