Is It Illegal to Marry Your Cousin in Massachusetts? Here's What the Law Says

No, it is not illegal to marry your cousin in Massachusetts. In fact, Massachusetts is one of 17 states in the United States where first-cousin marriages are fully legal.

Massachusetts Marriage Laws

Massachusetts law allows marriages between first cousins, half-cousins, and cousins through adoption. The state does not impose any restrictions on such unions, unlike some other states that permit first-cousin marriages only under certain conditions, such as age requirements or proof of infertility.

Legal Prohibitions

While first-cousin marriages are permitted, Massachusetts law does prohibit marriages between certain close relatives. Specifically:

Men are prohibited from marrying their mother, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, stepmother, grandfather’s wife, grandson’s wife, wife’s mother, wife’s grandmother, wife’s daughter, wife’s granddaughter, brother’s daughter, sister’s daughter, father’s sister, or mother’s sister.
Women are prohibited from marrying their father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother, stepfather, grandmother’s husband, daughter’s husband, granddaughter’s husband, husband’s grandfather, husband’s son, husband’s grandson, brother’s son, father’s brother, or mother’s brother.

Comparison to Other States

Massachusetts’ stance on first-cousin marriages is more permissive compared to many other states. For instance:

32 states have laws that make first-cousin marriages illegal or largely illegal.
Some states, like Maine, allow first-cousin marriages only with genetic counseling.
Other states, such as Arizona, Illinois, and Utah, permit first-cousin marriages only when both parties are over a certain age or can prove infertility.

It’s worth noting that while legal in Massachusetts, first-cousin marriages are not widespread. The exact incidence of such marriages in the United States is not well-documented, with estimates suggesting they comprise a small percentage of all marriages.