Title and introductory text
Tattooing Of Minors Act 1969 1969 c.24 An Act to prohibit the tattooing of persons under the age of eighteen years. [16th May 1969
Propose a changeLaw
Tattooing Of Minors Act 1969
United Kingdom · statute
Ask the law about thisMore laws of United KingdomFor machines: Markdown
In force since 1991-02-01, as the publisher states.
Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.
sha256 e39687bd92736775ce1b234d3598c4c519d3feca2a4b999361e23458253ab35d
Contents: 5 provisions
Proposed changes to this act
No one has proposed a change to this act yet.
5 provisions
1 Prohibition of tattooing of minors.
It shall be an offence to tattoo a person under the age of eighteen except when the tattoo is performed for medical reasons by a duly qualified medical practitioner or by a person working under his direction, but it shall be a defence for a person charged to show that at the time the tattoo was performed he had reasonable cause to believe that the person tattooed was of or over the age of eighteen and did in fact so believe.
Propose a change2 Penalties.
Any person committing such an offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
Propose a change3 Definition.
For the purposes of this Act “Tattoo” shall mean the insertion into the skin of any colouring material designed to leave a permanent mark.
Propose a change4 Short title, commencement and extent.
(1) This Act may be cited as the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969. (2) This Act shall come into force at the expiration of one month beginning with the date it is passed. (3) This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.
Propose a change