Piercings can be an exciting way to express yourself and incorporate different types of jewelry into your look. However, piercings and tattoos come with unique restrictions as they can pose a risk to your health and safety. Keep reading to understand more about the requirements to get your nose pierced, as well as other common piercing age requirement questions.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Nose Piercing?
In the United States, you must be 18 years old to get a nose piercing. However, you may be able to get your nose pierced as a minor (between 14 and 18 years old) with permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Check your state’s legal requirements and note that they are always shifting. The information provided below is subject to change based on state law changes.
Age Policy by State
Below is a list of all states and their piercing regulations. Please note, these regulations change from time to time, so you should double-check what your state’s rules are.
Alabama: You must be 18 years old, or you need your legal guardian to give written consent. Read the legal document here.
Alaska: You must be 18 years old, or you need permission from a legal guardian and they have to be present when you get pierced. Read the legal document here.
Arizona: You must be 18 years old, or you need a legal guardian to be with you for the piercing. Read the legal document here.
Arkansas: You must be 18 years old, or you need written permission from a legal guardian and they have to go with you when you get pierced. Read the legal document here.
California: You must be 18 years old, or your legal guardian has to go with you when you get pierced. If they don’t go with you, you can bring their written consent but it must be notarized. Read the legal document here.
Colorado: You must be 18 years old, or you need written permission from your legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Connecticut: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written permission from your legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Delaware: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written permission from your legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Florida: You must be 18 years old, or your legal guardian has to go with you when you get pierced. If they don’t go with you, you can bring their written consent but it must be notarized. Read the legal document here.
Georgia: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written permission from your legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Hawaii: You must be 18 years old, or your legal guardian has to go with you when you get pierced. If they don’t go with you, you can bring their written consent but it must be notarized. Read the legal document here.
Idaho: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written consent from a legal guardian and they need to go with you for the piercing. If you’re under 14 years old, it’s illegal to get a body piercing. Read the legal document here.
Illinois: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written permission from your legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Indiana: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written permission from your legal guardian and they have to go with you. Read the legal document here.
Iowa: Piercings aren’t regulated by law in Iowa, though some counties or cities may have their own regulations. For example, many won’t pierce those under 16 years old. Read the legal document here.
Kansas: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written permission from your legal guardian and they have to go with you. Read the legal document here.
Kentucky: You must be 18 years old, or you must have notarized written permission from your legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Louisiana: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you when you get the piercing. Read the legal document here.
Maine: You must be 18 years old, or you must have written permission from your legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Maryland: Tattoos and body piercings aren’t regulated, though there are related regulations and there can be rules specific to counties in Maryland. Read the legal document here.
Massachusetts: You must be 18 years old, or you must have a legal guardian with you to sign a consent form. Those under 14 years old cannot get a body piercing. Read the legal document here.
Michigan: You must be 18 years old, or you must have your legal guardian come with you to give written consent in person. Read the legal document here.
Minnesota: You must be 18 years old, or you must have a legal guardian come with you to sign a consent form. Certain piercings (not including a nose piercing) are illegal for those under 18 years old. Read the legal document here.
Mississippi: You must be 18 years old to get a piercing or tattoo. The only time you can get a piercing under the age of 18 with parental/guardian consent is if it’s an ear piercing. Read the legal document here.
Missouri: You must be 18 years old or you must have written consent from a legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Montana: You must be 18 years old or you must have a legal guardian with you to sign a consent form. Read the legal document here.
Nebraska: You must be 18 years old or you have to have written permission from a legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Nevada: Typically, you must be 18 years old, but regulations can vary by county. Read the legal document here.
New Hampshire: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
New Jersey: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
New Mexico: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
New York: You must be 18 years old or you have to have written permission from a legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
North Carolina: You must be 18 years old. You cannot get a body piercing if you’re younger. Read the legal document here.
North Dakota: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
Ohio: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
Oklahoma: It can vary by county, but you typically must be 18 years old. In some counties, you may be able to get a body piercing under the age of 18 if a legal guardian comes with you and provides written consent. Read the legal document here.
Oregon: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide consent. Genital or nipple piercings are illegal on minors, regardless of consent. Read the legal document here.
Pennsylvania: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
Rhode Island: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
South Carolina: You must be 18 years old, or you must have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing along with their written notarized consent. Read the legal document here.
South Dakota: You must be 18 years old or you have to have your legal guardian’s signed consent. Read the legal document here.
Texas: You must be 18 years old. If you’re a minor, you either must have notarized written consent from your legal guardian or they have to come with you to prove their identity and sign a consent. Read the legal document here.
Utah: You must be 18 years old or you have to have written consent from a legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Vermont: You must be 18 years old or you have to have written consent from a legal guardian. Read the legal document here.
Virginia: You must be 18 years old or you have to have a legal guardian with you when you get the piercing. Read the legal document here.
Washington: You must be 18 years old or you have to have a legal guardian with you when you get the piercing. Read the legal document here.
West Virginia: There are limited regulations around body piercings and they can vary by county or city. There are requirements tattoo and piercing studios must meet, however. Read the legal document here.
Wisconsin: You must be 18 years old to get a body piercing. If you’re 16 or 17 years old, you have to have a legal guardian with you to provide their consent. If you’re under the age of 16, it’s illegal to get a body piercing. Read the legal document here.
Wyoming: You must be 18 years old, or you have to have a legal guardian with you at the time of the piercing to provide written consent. Read the legal document here.
States That Will Pierce Minors With Parent Consent
Some states will pierce minors if they have consent from a parent or legal guardian.
This could be written consent, written and notarized consent, or in-person consent. For example, Oregon requires consent, proof of identity, and authorization from a physician. Check your state’s specific requirements before setting up your piercing appointment.
These states include:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
States That Will Pierce Minors With Parent Consent and Attendance
These states include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wyoming
States That Don’t Allow Body Piercings for Minors
Regardless of consent or guardian presence, there are some states that don’t allow body piercings for minors, including:
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
States With Limited Regulations Around Body Piercings
States with limited regulations around body piercings include:
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconson
Why Is There an Age Limit?
Age limits around tattoos and piercings are in place for a reason. Piercings pose potential health and safety risks, including:
- Allergic reactions to piercing tools and jewelry
- Tearing, bruising, swelling, and other issues
- Infection at the piercing site
- Contagious diseases from unsanitary tools and piercing stations
FAQs About Nose Piercings
Since age policies aren’t always cut and dry, you may have some other questions around nose piercings. Below are some frequently asked questions that could help you understand when you can get a nose piercing, with our without a guardian’s permission.
1. How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Septum Piercing?
It’s likely you’ll need to be 18 years old to get this piercing without a parent or guardian’s permission. However, you may be able to get it before the age of 18 if your parent or legal guardian gives you written consent and/or comes with you to the appointment.
Age requirements for septum piercings will vary based on the state and the piercer.
2. How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Nose Piercing With Parental Consent?
Age requirements for nose piercings with parental consent will vary based on the state. Some laws don’t allow for facial piercings under the age of 13 years old, even with parental permission. However, some states also don’t have age limits and will allow for the piercing if the parent or legal guardian agrees to it and is present. Check with your state above as these laws are always changing.
3. How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Nose Piercing at Claire’s?
To get your nose pierced at Claire’s, you need to be 18 years old. You may be able to get it at a younger age if your state allows, and your parent or legal guardian come with you to the appointment and sign the required registration form.
4. Can a 12-Year-Old Get a Nose Piercing?
A 12-year-old may be able to get a nose piercing if their state allows it and they’re able to meet any requirements. Common requirements are written consent from a parent or guardian, and the parent or legal guardian may also need to be there for the procedure.
5. What Piercings Can You Get at 16 Years Old Without Parental Consent?
At 16 years old, there may be some states that allow you to get your ears pierced without parental consent. In most cases, ears are the only consent-free option.
Other body piercings usually require a parent or legal guardian to provide official consent and/or to accompany you to your piercing appointment.
6. How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Your Ears Pierced?
There isn’t one specific age requirement for getting your ears pierced. In many cases, you can get your ears pierced without any consent or without having a parent/guardian present.
But changes are, if you do have a parent or legal guardian with you, you’ll be able to get your ear lobes pierced. For example, even infants can get their ears pierced.
7. How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Belly Button Piercing?
In most states, you have to be 18 years old to get a bully button piercing. In other states, you may be able to get a belly button piercing at 16 years or even younger with the right form of consent or guardian presence.
For example, you may be able to get a belly button piercing at 14 years old with a written consent letter and your parent or guardian present.
8. How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Tongue Piercing?
Many states require you to be 18 years old to get your tongue pierced. The requirements for tongue piercings are often much stricter than ear lobes. You may be able to get it done at a younger age if you have written consent from your parent or legal guardian, and they go to the appointment with you, as long as you’re in a state where that’s allowed.
Conclusion
How old do you have to be to get a nose piercing? It can be confusing trying to figure out what piercings you can get, at what age, and in which state. Rules and regulations will vary based on where you get your piercing since each state has its own laws.
And despite these laws, some piercers don’t follow the regulations and are subject to losing their license or other consequences.
Be conscious of your age and what your state limitations are. If you’re over the age of 18, you should be in the clear. But if you’re younger, you may need to bring a legal guardian along and/or a letter from them saying they give permission. Make sure you understand all of this before heading to get your piercing.
Read More
What Does Nose Ring Mean Sexually?
Why Does My Nose Piercing Smell?
Does Claire’s Do Nose Piercings? Price, Process, Preparation, Jewelry, Age, Pros and Cons
