So you are under 18 and are trying to get pierced, no worries! There are a few things you should know before you schedule an appointment with us though.

Here at AAPCo we require several types of documentation as well as the parent or legal guardian being present. PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY!

Your new piercing will take a while to heal, some as soon as 4 months, some take longer. This means that the initial jewelry that you are pierced with should remain in the piercing for the healing time described by your piercer. Your piercing needs to be healed before you can remove it for things like sports, performance arts, and other school requirements.

• Your piercing technician may limit or alter your appointment request based on various factors to be determined.

• We do not perform nipple, genital, or surface piercings/surface anchors (micro dermals) on people under the age of 18.

• We do pierce ear lobes on people as young as 7 years of age.

• We perform oral piercings such as lip and tongue on people 16 years of age and older.

• We do offer most ear, facials, and body piercings on people 14 years of age and above as long as the anatomy of that person permits so.

Types of documentation required for persons under 18:

• Birth certificate for the minor to be pierced.

• Valid government issued photo identification for parent/legal guardian.

• Recent photo identification for minor.

• AAPCo minor consent form with notarized signature of parent/legal guardian present for service.

• In the case of a legal guardian we must copy the official court document appointing the guardianship of the minor being pierced for our records.

THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST REMAIN IN THE FACILITY FOR THE DURATION OF THE APPOINTMENT.

Kansas legal requirement:

65-1953. Same; performance of body piercing or tattooing on persons under 18, written and notarized consent; penalties.

No person shall perform body piercing, cosmetic tattooing or tattooing on or to any person under 18 years of age without the prior written and notarized consent of the parent or court appointed guardian of such person and the person giving such consent must be present during the body piercing, cosmetic tattooing or tattooing procedure. The written permission and a copy of the letters of guardianship when such permission is given by a guardian, shall be retained by the person administering such body piercing, cosmetic tattooing or tattooing for a period of five years. Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.

History: L. 1996, ch. 138, § 14; L. 2001, ch. 193, § 5; L. 2008, ch. 108, § 22; July 1.