If you walk into a UK tattoo studio, the first thing you will be asked for is ID. It is not the studio being awkward. It is the law. Here is what the rules are, what ID to bring, and why we turn people away without it.
The law: no tattoos under 18
The Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it an offence to tattoo anyone under 18 in Great Britain. The only exception is a tattoo done for medical reasons by a qualified medical practitioner or someone working under their direction. A studio can defend itself if it had reasonable cause to believe the person was 18 or over, which is exactly why reputable studios check ID every time.
Parental consent does not make it legal
Unlike some piercings, there is no parental-consent route for tattoos. A parent or guardian cannot sign for an under-18 to be tattooed, and a parent being present does not change that. If you are under 18, the answer is no, whatever the design. (Piercing rules are different. See our piercing ages page.)
What ID to bring
At Timebomb Bournemouth we need original photo ID showing your date of birth. The safest choices are:
- A passport.
- A photocard driving licence.
Proof-of-age cards carrying the PASS hologram are designed for this kind of check. If that is the ID you have, message us before you come in so we can confirm.
ID we cannot accept
- Photos or scans of ID on your phone.
- Photocopies.
- ID with no photo, such as a bank card or birth certificate on its own.
- Someone else vouching for your age.
Why we ask even if you look over 18
We ask everyone. Plenty of 17-year-olds look older, and plenty of adults look young. Checking every time keeps things fair and keeps us on the right side of the law. It also applies to friends getting matching tattoos: everyone being tattooed needs their own ID.
Ready to walk in?
Walk-ins run Monday to Saturday from 11am, last walk-in tattoo at 5pm, whenever an artist is free. Small tattoos start from ยฃ50. Read more on our walk-in tattoos page, browse tattoo styles and prices, or check our tattoo and piercing FAQs. Any questions about ID, WhatsApp us on 07752 913846 before you set off.
