Minor Piercing Requirements
Georgia State Law requires that minors are accompanied by a Parent or LEGAL Guardian. Proper identification must be presented at the time of the appt and will be copied/filed per Health Department guidelines. Copies or photos of ID/documents are NOT accepted. Failure to present proper identification at the appointment will result in forfeiture of deposit. No exceptions will be made. I WILL NOT STAY LATE OR RESCHEDULE APPTS FOR FORGOTTEN ID. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED ID BEFORE BOOKING.
PARENTS MUST BRING:
- YOUR valid photo ID. Passport, Military ID, State issued ID, or Drivers License
- Child’s birth certificate (original copy)
- Parent or guardians name must match on birth certificate. If not, supplemental legal documents must accompany it.
LEGAL GUARDIAN
- YOUR valid photo ID. Passport, Military ID, State issued ID, and Drivers license are all acceptable.
- LEGAL, current guardianship documents - expired documents are not valid.
- If any names differ on documents, name change documents must also be presented.
Any issues with these requirements can be directed to Susan, our local environmental health inspector. susan.wright@dph.ga.gov
Below are my age requirements for piercings. These requirements may be due to anatomy, growth phases, personal hygiene habits typical for age, healing times, and healing complexity.
- 10+ - 1st + 2nd set earlobes (2 piercings per appt, min 6 months apart)
- 12+ - 3rd set earlobes (2 piercings per appt, min 6 months apart)
- 14+ - standard helix, tragus, nostril, nasal septum
- 15+ - lips/ around mouth, daith, navel
- 16+ - eyebrow, rook, flat, forward helix, conch
- 18+ - tongue, industrial, surface tragus, nasal bridge, nipples/genitals
*Age 16+ can consent for themselves for EARLOBES ONLY and DO NOT require a present parent/guardian as long as they have a valid photo ID that proves their age.
Read below to learn more about my policies, process, and mindset:
Additional guests are not permitted into the studio. This includes infants/minors without a piercing appointment. Minors must be accompanied by ONE parent/guardian. Our studio is small and appointments are timed. I realize this may be difficult to coordinate for some, but it is non-negotiable studio policy. My aim is to allocate my time and focus to my scheduled client so that I may move onto my next without rushing or cutting corners. Aside from not having the space to accommodate extra guests, additional children tend to impede workflow, delay appointment, increase minor and parent anxiousness, and diminish the experience of other clients in waiting. We strive to make our environment as calm and enjoyable as possible for all of our guests. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
All piercings can hurt. Every child experiences pain differently. While the ages above outline when I am willing to perform a piercing, it does not take into effect whether a child can tolerate it. I will never tell a child that a piercing does not hurt. Instead, I opt for building trust through transparency. Deception tactics ("it won't hurt!") break trust and can make completing a second piercing extremely difficult, if not impossible. Pinch, pressure, sliding, click is what I will explain. I like to describe the sensation as a quick pinch followed by pressure and sliding and finishing by clicking on the end. It is your responsibility as a parent to decide if your child possesses the maturity and emotional bandwidth required for a piercing.
Safety is my top priority. As the practitioner, I reserve the right to discontinue services once safety is at risk to myself or my client. Minors who escalate/withdraw consent may not be able to be pierced. After 3 asks for consent after it has been withdrawn, piercing will not be performed. No refunds will be issued and unused jewelry will be charged and bagged.
Piercings require maintenance and care! Minors of any age (and sometimes adults) need help keeping their piercings clean. Be prepared for the time and financial commitment of cleaning regimens and follow up appointments.
SPORTS can interfere with healing and can increase risk of infection. Please consider healing time and plan piercings during off season.
Minor piercing is a personal choice between you and your child. I am happy to answer any questions not covered in this document, but please understand that my policies and procedures are not up for debate. Please direct them to candice@worthwhiletattoo.com. My goal is to educate so that you may move forward in confidence.