Which states can you marry your first cousin In Maine, first-cousin marriage is allowed if the couple receives genetic counseling by a physician. 21 prohibits marriages between people related by lineal consanguinity (relation in a direct line such as between parent, child and grandparent). You may happen to know your second cousins as well. Cousin marriage has been traced back through history to biblical times and is still practiced in many countries around the world. So, if you're planning on marrying your first cousin but reside outside of California, it's essential to research and understand the specific cousin marriage laws of your own state. What state in the US can you marry your cousin? First-cousin marriage is legal in 17 Feb 29, 2024 · As of February 2014, 24 US states prohibit marriages between first cousins, while 19 states allow such marriages, and seven states allow only some. Can you marry a sibling in New York? New York does not allow siblings to marry. May 11, 2024 · In 19 states, first cousins can marry. Seven states (peach) allow first-cousin marriage, but with conditions. First cousins, first cousins once-removed, half-cousins and cousins through adoption are allowed to marry, have sexual Nov 2, 2024 · NEW YORK — New York may not be the first state you would think of when you think of a “Kissing cousin state” but it in fact, is one. Aug 26, 2020 · What states is it legal to marry your cousin? As you will notice, most states permit first cousin marriages. Half-siblings are also not allowed to marry in the state. 7 percent for married double first cousins, 7. It is illegal or largely illegal in 32 states and legal or largely legal in 18. Marriages between second cousins and more distant cousins are of course permitted. Some states require genetic counseling. states. 1 percent among . But Pennsylvania Mar 21, 2019 · Five states allow first cousins to marry if the cousins are of a certain age (50, 55, or 65); four of those states also allow cousin marriages if one cousin is unable to reproduce. Jan 20, 2022 · First cousins can marry without restriction in nineteen U. Florida Statute §741. What States Can 1st Cousins Marry? In the United States, 20 states allow first cousins to marry, with some requiring specific conditions to be met. Intermarriage, or consanguineous marriage, literally meaning “of the same blood,” is illegal in 31 states. Jul 2, 2021 · Marrying your first cousin, while illegal in many states, is not the worst thing you could do. May 11, 2024 · As of February 2014, 24 states prohibit marriages between first cousins, while 20 states allow it. On the other hand, other states allow cousin marriages in only some situations. The close relations between first cousins make people assume a marriage could lead to offspring with complications. Jan 31, 2024 · Marriage between cousins is widely viewed as taboo or a punchline in the United States. Seven states (peach) allow first-cousin marriage but with conditions. In fact, the majority of states have laws prohibiting unions between cousins. North Carolina only bans marriage between double first cousins. 2 percent for first cousins once removed/double second cousins, 6. The laws of some other states say “first cousins of the half as well as the whole blood”. Despite occasional social stigma, cousin marriage is generally considered to be as safe as any other form of marriage, and it can actually Apr 8, 2024 · As of February 2014, 24 US states prohibit marriages between first cousins, while 19 states allow such marriages and seven states allow only some. Sep 11, 2022 · Marrying your cousin is legal in a number of U. Does Blood Relate to First Cousins? Yes, first cousins are related by blood. Are half first cousins allowed to marry? It’s not entirely clear. Some states, like Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin, have stricter laws, such as requiring genetic counseling or allowing only if one partner is sterile. The child of your first cousin is your first cousin once removed. While many consider it taboo, and indeed it's illegal in most of the United States, a few states do permit marriages between first cousins under specific circumstances, or with certain limitations. Oct 16, 2019 · Cousin once-removed: your parents’ first cousin or your first cousin’s child; First cousins are considered to be close relatives while second cousins are not. Others only allow it if one partner is sterile. In 19 states (green), first cousins are permitted to wed. Cousin marriage laws may also be technical. By the way, if you’re wondering why I didn’t start this list with the states that ban all cousin marriages or second cousin marriages… it’s because there aren’t any. cousincouples. There are only six states that allow marriages between first cousins, with restrictions, while 19 states allow first-cousin marriages without any restrictions at all. S. Frequently Asked Questions about Cousin Marriage in California Nov 16, 2023 · Keeping it in the family: Can you marry your first cousin in NC? What state law says By Evan Moore. This is a more distant relationship than first cousin, which means it is a valid marriage in Texas. org does not guarantee the accuracy of the information available on the various state laws. November 16, 2023 12:50 PM. For example, there are certain states that make distinctions between the categories of cousins as well as half-cousins and adopted cousins. Maine, for instance, requires genetic counseling; some states say yes only if one Jan 17, 2022 · Types Of Cousins That Can Get Married In Texas. That means they are spelling out that half first cousins arent’ allowed marry. Nov 17, 2020 · What are the states where you can marry your first cousin? The laws are more permissive where cousin marriage is concerned, because there is a higher likelihood of the progeny being healthy in these cases, therefore, the marriage between first cousins is allowed in as many as 24 states in the United States. 9 percent for second cousins, and 5. But the situation gets hairy (read: birth defects) if you trace the pattern through a family's genealogy. New York also allows a niece to marry her mother’s half-brother, but she cannot marry her Jan 15, 2022 · It’s considered that first cousins once removed are allowed to marry in the state. states, mostly on the east coast. Alabama; Alaska In Pakistan, where there has been cousin marriage for generations and the current rate may exceed 50%, one study estimated infant mortality at 12. For instance, some states require the couple to undergo genetic counseling before marriage. Can you marry a cousin? Laws governing the marriage of first cousins vary widely. Make sure you do your research for your home state. state to another, ranging from being legal in some states to being a criminal offense in others. In the case of marriage between first cousins, marriage is always allowed by law. Twenty-five states prohibit marriage between first cousins. Mar 28, 2023 · In these six states, you can’t marry your first cousin OR first cousin once removed (your first cousin once removed is the child of your first cousin). In addition to this, if your cousin is adopted or is your half cousin, you can marry him/her Feb 10, 2022 · In which states can you legally marry your first cousin? There are 25 states where marrying your first cousin is illegal – no exceptions. However, there are still 19 states where you can legally marry your cousins without facing any legal consequences. Listing the 19 US states where you can legally marry your cousin. Some of these states are: Alabama; Alaska Nov 15, 2023 · Famous people who married their cousin include: Naturalist Charles Darwin married his first cousin Emma in 1839; Tragic poet Edgar Allan Poe married his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Eliza in 1836; theoretical physicist Albert Einstein married his first cousin Elsa in 1919; and politician Rudy Giuliani married his second cousin Regina in 1968. Apr 12, 2024 · First-cousin marriage remains completely legal in these 17 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Aug 14, 2023 · There are several states, such as California, Florida, and others that do not void out-of-state cousin marriages. Click on a state below for actual marriage statutes. It’s likely that you know and have spent time with your first cousins. Aug 11, 2017 · Although it may not be palatable for some, did you know it is legal to marry your first cousin in many states in Australia? "According to the Marriage Act of 1961 [cousins] can marry," Genealogy It's essential to understand that not all states allow cousins. Although New York law explains that the state “doesn’t permit marriage licenses to be issued to an ancestor and a descendant, such as between a parent and child or grandparent and grandchild,” a marriage of first cousins is legal and would be protected Also, they are two generations away from the shared grandparents. Jan 14, 2025 · The question of whether you can marry your first cousin is a complex one, varying significantly depending on your location. Half siblings are even closer relatives – they share one Yes, in the State of Florida you can marry your 1st cousin. Can you marry your first cousin in NC? Nov 7, 2018 · Alaska, like Alabama, does not outlaw marriage between first cousins. In 24 states (pink), such marriages are illegal. Five states prohibit first-cousin-once-removed marriages, while 17 states allow first cousin marriages. This too in a situation where the couple will have no offspring. Is it legal to marry your second cousin in New York? Marriage between second cousins is legal in New York. Can You Marry Your Cousin in Georgia? In Georgia, it Nov 2, 2024 · That means that, under New York law, marrying your first cousin is legal and protected by the state. This is the most up-to-date list on the Web what shows which states accept cousin marriages. The legal status of first cousin marriage varies considerably from one U. 9 percent for first cousins, 9. Five states prohibit first-cousin-once-removed marriages, while 17 states allow first-cousin marriages. Six states allow first-cousin marriages if the couple meets certain criteria, mostly based on age or fertility. Jan 13, 2022 · More distant relatives such as first and second cousins are allowed to marry in the state. It is legal in Remember that laws regarding marrying your first cousins can vary from state to state within the US. juwl fbnsfw ztu vknhdn sgts gftej xpne vfcv yjq vmhpcmo