ID for ear piercing

[AlternativelyWired]

Is this a normal thing? I'm taking Dd to have her ears pierced. She'll be 14. They want photo ID for the child as well as the parent taking her. She doesn't have photo ID. No passport. I've been advised to get a citizenship card that has to have referees and costs £15 to get. It seems a bit OTT for having ears pierced when accompanied by a parent. It's an independent piercing and tattoo place with an excellent (and expensive) reputation.

Everything is like this now and it is quite annoying tbh. The piercer near me asks for ID even if you’re 50. Seems ridiculous to me. Although jewellers don’t always insist on ID.

Could you not just take her somewhere else?

Annoying but I can see why - without ID they don't know how old she is (even for ear piercings some studios have age limits) and they have no way of knowing you are actually her parent, i.e legally able to give permission.

A birth certificate and parents ID should suffice

She's going to need a passport at some point and you don't want to be stuck waiting for one if you have a holiday booked, so I'd get her a passport. It'll last ten years at her age and this won't be the last time she needs photo ID for something.

It's £50 at this place for both ears and then £15 on top to get an ID card and references too seems too much for ears.

I think I provided dd’s passport but I’d ask if you can provide a birth certificate.

£50 to have ears pierced sounds expensive.

but she'll need a passport at some point in the next ten years, so you're just bringing forward a future cost

£50 for both ears isn't expensive to have it done properly - equipment, the earrings themselves and the piercers time.

I had to provide ID recently too, and I'm nearly 30! They said they needed it for records and I'd imagine they'd need to be sure you're the parent (not just another adult!) 😊

She's under 16 so will only last 5 years, not worth the cost if OP doesn't plan on travelling abroad in the next couple of years

OP, not currently helpful I know, but if you don't have any need to apply for a passport, as soon as she turns 15 and 9 months apply for a provisional driving licence. This will last 10 years and means she has some form of photo ID.
Not sure what you can do about ear piercing now though apart from shopping around for a different piercer.

Can anyone recommend anywhere in Manchester City centre? Someone said Afflecks but the reviews are quite alarming so I'm not taking her there.

I've found one more locally that is less bothered about checks but has a great reputation and is a fraction of the price. As long as I sign the consent they are happy.