In Florida, a piercing consent form for a minor must be signed by a parent or legal guardian in front of a notary before any body piercing can be performed. The rule comes from Florida Statute ยง 381.0075, and the Florida Department of Health publishes an official form that piercing studios accept.1Florida Department of Health. Written Notarized Consent for Body Piercing of a Minor No notarized form, no piercing.
One age detail matters before you plan the trip. Every minor under 18 needs the notarized consent, and minors under 16 must also be physically accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the piercing itself.2Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 381.0075 – Regulation of Body-Piercing Salons A 16- or 17-year-old with the completed form can show up alone. A 15-year-old cannot, even with a perfect form in hand.
Where to Get the Form
The Florida Department of Health provides an official “Written Notarized Consent for Body Piercing of a Minor” form. Most shops either hand you that form directly or use their own version that captures the same information. Calling the studio first is worth a minute: some prefer their in-house version, and using the wrong one occasionally means redoing the notarization.
Whatever version you use, a properly completed form typically includes:
- The minor’s full legal name, date of birth, and address
- The parent or guardian’s full legal name and address
- A description of the specific piercing being authorized
- A statement that the signer has legal authority to consent and understands the minor is receiving a body piercing
- A notary block for the seal, signature, and identity verification
Blanks and missing fields give the shop a reason to turn you away, so fill everything in before you sign anything.
Getting the Form Notarized
Notarization is the step most likely to derail an appointment. The parent or legal guardian must sign the form in the physical presence of a Florida notary public. The DOH form’s jurat states the consent was “sworn to, or affirmed, in person” before the notary,1Florida Department of Health. Written Notarized Consent for Body Piercing of a Minor so plan on an in-person appointment rather than remote online notarization, even though Florida allows RON for many other documents.
The notary will check the signer’s ID, watch them sign, then apply an official seal and signature. Florida caps notary fees at $10 per notarial act, so the cost is small.3Florida Senate. Florida Code 117.05 – Use of Notary Commission; Unlawful Use; Notary Fee; Seal; Duties; Employer Liability; Name Change; Advertising; Photocopies; Penalties Banks, UPS stores, and law offices all keep notaries on staff, and some piercing shops have one on call. If the studio doesn’t offer notary services, get the form notarized ahead of time and bring the completed original to the appointment.
What to Bring to the Appointment
The parent or guardian will need a valid government-issued photo ID for the notary, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID card.4Florida Courts Help. Notary Public Requirement Many piercing shops also ask the minor for photo ID, like a school ID, state ID, or passport, to confirm the person on the form is the person on the table.
Bring proof of the legal relationship if the last names don’t match or if the guardian isn’t a biological parent. An original or certified copy of the minor’s birth certificate covers most cases; a legal guardian should bring the court order, and adoptive parents should bring the adoption paperwork. A cautious shop will decline to proceed without it, even if the notarization is spotless.
When You Don’t Need a Consent Form
Florida’s body piercing law carves out one type of ear piercing. The statute defines “body piercing” to exclude the use of a mechanized, presterilized ear-piercing system on the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear.2Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 381.0075 – Regulation of Body-Piercing Salons The standard piercing guns at mall kiosks and jewelry counters for lobe piercings sit outside these rules, and no notarized form is required.
The exception is narrow. A needle-based ear piercing at a piercing studio, or any cartilage piercing (helix, tragus, upper ear), falls under the full statute and needs the notarized consent. If you’re going to a body piercing establishment rather than a jewelry counter, assume the form is required.
If a Shop Offers to Skip the Paperwork
Piercing a minor without the proper notarized consent is a second-degree misdemeanor for the establishment, punishable by a fine of up to $500,5Florida Senate. Florida Code 381.0075 – Regulation of Body-Piercing Salons6Online Sunshine. Florida Code 775.083 – Fines and the Department of Health can add administrative fines up to $1,000 per violation per day. A guilty finding can also cost the shop its license.
The practical takeaway for a parent: a legitimate studio will insist on seeing every document. A shop willing to wave you through without a notarized form is telling you something about how it handles the rest of the health and safety rules too.