---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-5. Tattooing.
collection: code
id: 16-12-5
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-5 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-5
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-5.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-5/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch12-17-(v14b)-2024-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=a591fa7b_0#page=38
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-4.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-12-5. Tattooing.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “tattoo” means to mark or color the skin of any person by pricking in, inserting, or implanting pigments, except when performed by a physician licensed as such pursuant to Chapter 34 of Title 43.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to tattoo the body of any person within any area within one inch of the nearest part of the eye socket of such person. Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

## History

Code 1981, § 16-12-5, enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 1866, § 1.