It is legal to marry your first cousin in New Jersey. New Jersey is among 21 states in the United States that permit first-cousin marriages.
Restrictions
In New Jersey, marriage is prohibited between ancestors and descendants, siblings, and the children of siblings. The law states: “A man shall not marry or enter into a civil union with any of his ancestors or descendants, or his sister or brother, or the daughter or son of his brother or sister, or the sister or brother of his father or mother, whether such collateral kindred be of the whole or half blood”. The same restrictions apply to women.
Risks
According to nj1015.com, there is little or no risk to offspring if cousins marry; however, problems may arise if their offspring intermarry within the same gene pool. Some states, such as Maine, offer genetic counseling to cousin couples before marriage.
Other states
Laws regarding the legality of cousin marriage differ across the United States. As of 2024, 25 states prohibit marriage between first cousins. However, some states allow first-cousin marriages under certain conditions, such as if the cousins are of a certain age or are unable to reproduce.
Sources:
[1] https://nj1015.com/yes-you-can-marry-your-first-cousin-in-new-jersey/
[2] https://catcountry1073.com/heres-where-in-new-jersey-you-can-marry-your-first-cousin/
[3] https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/err/D6%20 %20Fiancees%20and%20Fiances%20of%20U.S.%20Citizen%20(K-1)/Decisions_Issued_in_2021/JUN092021_01D6101.pdf
