Cousin marriage law in the United States by state
![](../I/m/Cousin_marriage_map1.svg.png)
Laws regarding first-cousin marriage in the United States
1Some states recognize marriages performed elsewhere, other states such as New Jersey actually encourage it, especially when the spouses were not residents of the state when married.clarification needed
First-cousin marriage is legal
Allowed with requirements or exceptions
Banned with exceptions1
Statute bans first-cousin marriage1
Criminal offense1
1Some states recognize marriages performed elsewhere, other states such as New Jersey actually encourage it, especially when the spouses were not residents of the state when married.clarification needed
Cousin marriage acceptance differs from one U.S. state to another ranging from being legal to a criminal offense.
State | First cousin marriage allowed | Sexual relations or cohabitation allowed | First-cousin marriages void | Out-of-state marriages by state's residents void | All out-of-state marriages void | Sterility requirement to marry cousin | First-cousin-once-removed marriage allowed | Half-cousin marriage allowed | Adopted-cousin marriage allowed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama[1] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Alaska[2][3] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Arizona[4][5][6] | Only if both parties are 65 or older, or one is infertile | No[7] | Yes | Yes[8] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes[9] | Yes |
Arkansas[10][11][12] | No | Yes | Yes | No[13] | No | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
California[14][15][16] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Colorado[17][18] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Connecticut[19][20] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Delaware[21][22][23][24] | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unknown | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
District of Columbia[25] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Florida[26][27] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Georgia[28][29] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hawaii[30][31] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Idaho[32][33][34][35][36] | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
Illinois[37][38][39][40][41][42] | Only if both parties are 50 or older, or one is infertile | Yes | Yes | Yes[43] | Unknown | Yes | Yes | No[44] | Unknown |
Indiana[45][46][47][48] | Only if both parties are 65 or older | Yes | Yes | Yes | No[49] | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
Iowa[50] | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
Kansas[51][52][53] | No | Yes | Yes | No[54] | No[55] | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown |
Kentucky[56][57][58][59] | No | No[60] | Yes | Yes[61] | Unknown | No | No | No | Unknown |
Louisiana[62][63][64] | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown | No[65] | No | Yes | No | If judicial approval in writing is obtained |
Maine[66][67] | Proof of genetic counselling from a genetic counsellor | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Unknown | Yes |
Maryland[68][69] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Massachusetts[70][71][72] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Michigan | No[73] | Yes | Yes | No[74] | No[75] | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
Minnesota[76][77][78] | Only certain types | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Unknown | No | Yes | No | Unknown |
Mississippi[79][80][81] | No | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown | No | Yes | Unknown | Yes |
Missouri[82][83] | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Unknown | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
Montana[84][85][86] | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Unknown | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown |
Nebraska[87][88][89][90] | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Nevada[91][92] | No | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown | No | No | Yes | Unknown |
New Hampshire[93][94][95] | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Unknown | No[96] |
New Jersey[97][98] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
New Mexico[99][100] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
New York[101][102] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
North Carolina[103][104] | Yes, except in the rare case of double first cousins | Yes | Yes, but cannot be declared void after all of cohabitation, birth of issue, and death of one of the parties has occurred | Unknown | Unknown | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
North Dakota[105][106][107] | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Unknown |
Ohio[108][109][110] | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Unknown | Unknown |
Oklahoma[111][112] | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown |
Oregon[113][114][115] | No | Yes | Yes | No[116] | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pennsylvania[117][118][119] | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Unknown | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
Rhode Island[120][121] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
South Carolina[122][123] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
South Dakota[124][125][126] | No | No | Yes | No[127] | No | No | Yes | Yes | Unknown |
Tennessee[128][129] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Texas[130][131][132][133] | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Utah[134][135][136] | Only if both parties are 65 or older, or both are 55 or older with a district court finding of infertility of either party | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unknown | Unknown |
Vermont[137][138] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virginia[139][140] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Washington[141][142][143] | No | Yes[144] | Yes | Yes[145] | No | No | No | No | Unknown |
West Virginia[146][147][148][149][150][151] | No | Yes | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Wisconsin[152][153][154][155][156] | Only if the woman is at least 55, or either is permanently sterile | No | No | No | Unknown | Yes | Only if the woman is at least 55, or either is permanently sterile | Yes | Yes |
Wyoming[157][158][159] | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Unknown | Yes |
State | First cousin marriage allowed | Sexual relations or cohabitation allowed | First-cousin marriages void | Out-of-state marriages by state's residents void | All out-of-state marriages void | Sterility requirement to marry cousin | First-cousin-once-removed marriage allowed | Half-cousin marriage allowed | Adopted-cousin marriage allowed |
See also
References
- ↑ Code of Ala. § 13A-13-3. Alabama appears to have no law voiding incestuous marriages, although § 30-1-3 does mention incestuous marriages being annulled.
- ↑ Alaska Stat. § 25.05.021 (2010)
- ↑ Alaska Stat. § 11.41.450 (2010)
- ↑ A.R.S. § 25-101 (2010)
- ↑ A.R.S. § 25-112 (2010)
- ↑ A.R.S. § 13-3608 (2010)
- ↑ See Etheridge v. Shaddock (PDF), 288 Ark. 481, 706 S.W.2d 395 (1986).
- ↑ In addition to statute, see In re Mortenson's Estate, 83 Ariz. 87, 316 P.2d 1106 (1957)
- ↑ https://www.thespruce.com/cousin-marriage-laws-listed-by-state-2300731
- ↑ A.C.A. § 9-11-106 (2010)
- ↑ A.C.A. § 9-11-107 (2010)
- ↑ A.C.A. § 5-26-202 (2010)
- ↑ See Incest Statutes 2013 (PDF).
- ↑ Cal Fam Code § 2200 (2010)
- ↑ Cal Pen Code § 285 (2010)
- ↑ Estate of Levie (1975, Cal App 1st Dist) was a California case on a purported first-cousin marriage contracted in Nevada. It found the marriage void per the usual rule.
- ↑ C.R.S. 14-2-110 (2010)
- ↑ C.R.S. 18-6-301 (2010)
- ↑ Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-21 (2010)
- ↑ Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-191 (2010)
- ↑ 13 Del. C. § 101 (2010)
- ↑ 13 Del. C. § 102 (2010)
- ↑ 13 Del. C. § 104 (2010)
- ↑ 11 Del. C. § 766 (2010)
- ↑ D.C. Code § 46-401.01 (2010)
- ↑ Fla. Stat. § 741.21 (2010)
- ↑ Fla. Stat. § 826.04 (2010)
- ↑ O.C.G.A. § 19-3-3 (2010)
- ↑ O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22 (2010)
- ↑ HRS § 572-1 (2010)
- ↑ HRS § 707-741 (2010)
- ↑ Idaho Code § 32-205 (2010)
- ↑ Idaho Code § 32-206 (2010)
- ↑ Idaho Code § 32-209 (2010)
- ↑ Idaho Code § 32-501 (2010)
- ↑ Idaho Code § 18-6602 (2010)
- ↑ § 750 ILCS 5/212 (2010)
- ↑ § 750 ILCS 5/213 (2010)
- ↑ § 750 ILCS 5/216 (2010)
- ↑ 750 ILCS 5/301 (2010)
- ↑ 720 ILCS 5/11-11 (2010)
- ↑ In re Estate of Mary Kathrein was an Illinois Supreme Court case ruling that first cousins once removed are not to be confused with first cousins.
- ↑ In addition to statute, see Meisenhelder v. Chicago & N.W. Ry. Co., 170 Minn. 317, 213 N.W. 32 (1927)
- ↑ See In re Flores, 96 Ill. App. 3d 279, 51 Ill. Dec. 885, 421 N.E.2d 393 (1 Dist. 1981)
- ↑ Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 31-11-1-2 (2010)
- ↑ Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 31-11-8-3 (2010)
- ↑ Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 31-11-8-6 (2010). Note that the laws listed do not pertain to cousin marriage.
- ↑ Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 35-46-1-3 (2010)
- ↑ See Mason v. Mason, 775 N.E.2d 706, 2002 Ind. App. LEXIS 1605 (2002).
- ↑ Chapter 595.19 Void Marriages
- ↑ K.S.A. § 23-102 (2009)
- ↑ K.S.A. § 23-115 (2009)
- ↑ K.S.A. § 21-3602 (2009)
- ↑ Moore, A Defense of First-Cousin Marriage, 10 Cleveland Marshall L. Rev. 136 (1961)
- ↑ See In re Estate of Loughmiller, 229 Kan. 584, where a foreign first cousin marriage was recognised in Kansas.
- ↑ Kentucky Revised Statutes § 402.010 (2010)
- ↑ KRS § 402.040 (2010)
- ↑ KRS § 402.990 (2010)
- ↑ KRS § 530.020 (2010)
- ↑ Class B misdemeanour if marriage entered into; Class A misdemeanour if the couple cohabits after being convicted of entering into a prohibited marriage.
- ↑ A marriage between first cousins will not be recognised in Kentucky even if it is consummated in another state. OAG 71-78.
- ↑ La. C.C. Art. 90 (2010)
- ↑ La. C.C. Art. 94 (2010)
- ↑ La. R.S. 14:78 (2010)
- ↑ See Ghassemi v. Ghassemi
- ↑ http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/maine/index.shtml
- ↑ http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/state-laws-regarding-marriages-between-first-cousi.aspx
- ↑ Md. FAMILY LAW Code Ann. § 2-202 (2010)
- ↑ Md. CRIMINAL LAW Code Ann. § 3-323 (2010)
- ↑ ALM GL ch. 207, § 1 (2010)
- ↑ ALM GL ch. 207, § 2 (2010)
- ↑ ALM GL ch. 272, § 17 (2010)
- ↑ "Michigan Marriage License Laws > MI Wedding Officiants". Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ↑ See In re Miller's Estate, 239 Mich. 455, 214 N.W. 428 (1927)
- ↑ In addition to statute and preceding reference, see Toth v Toth (1973) 50 Mich App 150, 212 NW2d 812.
- ↑ Minn. Stat. § 517.03 (2009)
- ↑ Minn. Stat. § 518.01 (2009)
- ↑ Minn. Stat. § 609.365 (2009)
- ↑ Miss. Code Ann. § 93-1-1 (2010)
- ↑ Miss. Code Ann. § 93-1-3 (2010)
- ↑ Miss. Code Ann. § 93-5-29 (2010)
- ↑ § 451.020 R.S.Mo. (2010)
- ↑ § 568.020 R.S.Mo. (2010)
- ↑ Mont. Code Anno., § 40-1-104 (2010)
- ↑ Mont. Code Anno., § 40-1-401 (2010)
- ↑ Mont. Code Anno., § 45-5-507 (2010)
- ↑ R.R.S. Neb. § 42-103 (2010)
- ↑ R.R.S. Neb. § 42-117 (2010)
- ↑ R.R.S. Neb. § 28-702 (2010)
- ↑ R.R.S. Neb. § 28-703 (2010)
- ↑ Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 125.290 (2010)
- ↑ Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 201.180 (2010)
- ↑ RSA 457:2 (2010)
- ↑ RSA 457:3 (2010)
- ↑ RSA 639:2 (2010)
- ↑ Prohibition of marriages between first cousins is applicable where the persons to be married are related only by adoption. 1987 Op. Att'y Gen. 46. (New Hampshire)
- ↑ N.J. Stat. § 37:1-1 (2010)
- ↑ N.J. Stat. § 2C:14-2 (2010)
- ↑ N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-1-7 (2010)
- ↑ N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-10-3 (2010)
- ↑ NY CLS Dom Rel § 5 (2010)
- ↑ NY CLS Penal § 255.25 (2010)
- ↑ N.C. Gen. Stat. § 51-3 (2010)
- ↑ N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-178 (2010)
- ↑ N.D. Cent. Code, § 14-03-03 (2010)
- ↑ N.D. Cent. Code, § 14-03-08 (2010)
- ↑ N.D. Cent. Code, § 12.1-20-11 (2010)
- ↑ ORC Ann. 3101.01 (2010)
- ↑ ORC Ann. 3105.31 (2010)
- ↑ ORC Ann. 2907.03 (2010)
- ↑ 43 Okl. St. § 2 (2010)
- ↑ 21 Okl. St. § 885 (2010)
- ↑ ORS § 106.020 (2009)
- ↑ ORS § 163.525 (2009)
- ↑ Oregon State Bar | http://www.osbar.org/public/legalinfo/1131_Marriage.htm
- ↑ See Leefield v. Leefield, (1917) 85 Or 287, 166 P 953.
- ↑ 23 Pa.C.S. § 1304 (2010)
- ↑ 23 Pa.C.S. § 3304 (2010)
- ↑ 18 Pa.C.S. § 4302 (2010)
- ↑ R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-1-1 (2010)
- ↑ R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-1-2 (2010)
- ↑ S.C. Code Ann. § 20-1-10 (2009)
- ↑ S.C. Code Ann. § 16-15-20 (2009)
- ↑ S.D. Codified Laws § 25-1-6 (2010)
- ↑ S.D. Codified Laws § 22-22A-2 (2010)
- ↑ S.D. Codified Laws § 25-1-38 (2010)
- ↑ See Garcia v. Garcia, 25 S.D. 645, 127 N.W. 586 (1910)
- ↑ Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-101 (2010)
- ↑ Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-15-302 (2010)
- ↑ Tex. Fam. Code § 2.004 (2010)
- ↑ Texas Family Code, Title 1, Chapter 6, Subtitle B
- ↑ Tex. Fam. Code § 6.201 (2010)
- ↑ Tex. Penal Code § 25.02 (2010)
- ↑ Utah Code Ann. § 30-1-1 (2010)
- ↑ Utah Code Ann. § 30-1-4 (2010)
- ↑ Utah Code Ann. § 76-7-102 (2010)
- ↑ 15 V.S.A. § 1a (2010)
- ↑ 13 V.S.A. § 205 (2010)
- ↑ Va. Code Ann. § 20-38.1 (2010)
- ↑ Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-366 (2010)
- ↑ Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 26.04.020 (2010)
- ↑ Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 26.09.040 (2010)
- ↑ Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 9A.64.020 (2010)
- ↑ While no longer a criminal offence in Washington, prosecutions for sexual relations between cousins had taken place under a former statute. See State v. Nakashima, 62 Wash. 686, 114 P. 894 (1911).
- ↑ Evasive marriages were held to be void in Washington even though there was no statute specifically making them such. See Johnson v. Johnson, 57 Wash. 89, 106 Pac. 500 (1910).
- ↑ W. Va. Code § 48-2-302 (2010)
- ↑ W. Va. Code § 48-2-303 (2010)
- ↑ W. Va. Code § 48-2-503 (2010)
- ↑ W. Va. Code § 48-3-103 (2010)
- ↑ W. Va. Code § 48-2-602 (2010)
- ↑ W. Va. Code § 61-8-12 (2010)
- ↑ Wis. Stat. § 765.03 (2010)
- ↑ Wis. Stat. § 765.04 (2010)
- ↑ Wis. Stat. § 765.21 (2010)
- ↑ Note that marriage abroad to circumvent the laws carries criminal penalties in Wisconsin; see Wis. Stat. § 765.30 (2010)
- ↑ Wis. Stat. § 944.06 (2010)
- ↑ Wyo. Stat. § 20-1-111 (2010)
- ↑ Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-101 (2010)
- ↑ Wyo. Stat. § 6-4-402 (2010)
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