Legal Piercing Age Requirements

Under Wisconsin State Health Code HFS 173 there are age restrictions and requirements of those being pierced that must be met.  To help you through your piercing experience here are the rules which govern body piercing.  Also you will notice throughout this page that the rules refer to "valid identification."  We have listed the identification that will be accepted and considered "valid" on the right hand of the screen.

• For a person 18 years of age or older, that person need only have a valid form of identification.
• For persons aging 16 years old and 17 years old, a parent or legal guardian must be present and have a valid form of identification. (**Note: it is preferable if both the parent and the minor have valid identification but this is not required**)
• For persons 15 years old and younger, these people may not be pierced according to law, with the exception of ear piercing. (**Note: Even though ears are exempt from the law you still must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to be pierced.**)

Legal Guardianship

Many people claim that they are the legal guardian, or custodian, of a minor so that the minor can obtain a body piercing.  To clear things up below are listed the only ways to get pierced if you are a minor and your parents can not come into the store to fill out the appropriate paperwork.

• If guardianship has been given to someone else other than the minor's parents, then when the minor and the guardian come in they must bring the following with them.
  • The Minor must have a valid I.D.
  • The Guardian must have valid I.D.
  • The original paperwork from the court, meaning the court order, which states that guardianship has been changed.
  • Copies and hand written letters will not be accepted
• In the case of a minor being married the older of the spouses is the guardian.  The older of the spouses must be 18 years of age or older in order for that spouse to give consent for the younger spouse to be pierced.  In addition the following must be brought with them to the store.
  • The older spouse must have valid I.D.
  • The younger spouse must have valid I.D.
  • The original marriage license must be presented.
  • Copies of documentation will not be accepted.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

• State Issued I.D. (i.e. driver's licenses)
• Original Birth Certificate accompanied by a current Picture I.D.
• Military I.D.
• Passports (provided it is in English or has English translation)
• Foreign Birth Certificates (provided it is in English or has English translation)
• Foreign Driver's License (provided it is in English or has English translation)
• Copies of I.D.'s or Birth Certificates will not be accepted.