Is it against the law to marry your second cousin?

Question

I heard it is illegal to marry a second cousin but legal to marry a first cousin! Surely this cannot be true?

Haha these answers are hilarious so far!! I must add that I am not planning to marry any of my own cousins, first or second! This is just something I was discussing in the pub recently. I was told it was illegal for second cousins to marry, and I just want to know out of curiosity.

Answer 1

It depends on where you live in the USA, in most other countries this has been accepted and legal for a LONG time.

"No European country prohibits marriage between first cousins. It is also legal throughout Canada and Mexico to marry your cousin. The U.S. is the only western country with cousin marriage restrictions."

"Children of non-related couples have a 2-3% risk of birth defects, as opposed to first cousins having a 4-6% risk."

"We are all cousins. No two people are more distantly related than 50th cousins."

Check links for more info concerning your state and facts about cousin marriages.

Answer 2

You are right. And I know this for sure because my parents are first cousins. They were married in 1964 and at that time you had to get permission from the pope. And yes it is true you are not allowed by law to marry your second cousin. Yes people do think this is strange and can be very cruel about it. As I have read in the first few answers I saw for your question. But I grew up with it and it seems perfectly fine to me. There are millions of people who marry there cousin. Its not your brother or sister for gods sake!! So yes sorry to tell you its true!!

Answer 3

First-cousin marriage is currently illegal or restricted in 31 states. (Some states allow it if there's no chance of procreation--interesting in light of conservative opposition to gay marriage on the grounds that the institution's function is to produce children.) It's legal in the rest--and no, Kentucky and West Virginia aren't among the permissive ones. Try California and New York.
Second-cousin marraiges are illegal too and also have greater birth-defects than a first cousin birth.

Answer 4

i do know years ago back in Virginia they married first and second cousins, before and after the civil war. i don't think it is illegal, i am not sure if children from this union inherit some of the same genes, it might create a genetic problem with the kids. i have read the czar of Russia married someone who was close in the gene pool, they had a son Nichols who inherited hemophilia, which is genetic.

Answer 5

I don't think there is any law against cousins marrying. I heard of 3rd cousin's getting married. But it makes it really bad for the family to forgive you! It's not supposed to be that way.

Answer 6

It's illegal to marry your first or second cousin but you CAN marry your 3rd cousin because they're so far out there that it really doesn't matter any more.

Answer 7

Yes this is true its to with the gene pool and baby's been born with deformities But you do need permission of the bishop to marry your first cousin. It is also illegal to marry your third cousin.

Answer 8

In the UK it's perfectly legal to marry them both. But not at the same time of course! Bigamy is definitely still illegal. Boring eh?

Answer 9

what come on, its common sense, 1st cousins are a lot closer than second cousin so why would it be wrong. Go for it love and have a happy marriage. Congratulations

Answer 10

I love how the people pointing out how freaking gross this is are getting down rated. Seriously how small is your town where the only option you have is a cousin. Go to a bar or something and try to keep it out of the family.

Protip: The family reunion is not a dating service.