Is It Illegal to Marry Your Cousin in Michigan? Here’s What the Law Says

by zane
Updated On:
Is It Illegal to Marry Your Cousin in Michigan Here's What the Law Says

Michigan law prohibits first cousins from marrying. Such marriages are considered void from the beginning. However, Michigan may recognize a marriage between first cousins if it was legally performed in another state.

Legality of First Cousin Marriages

  • Michigan Law: Marriages between first cousins are illegal and void in Michigan.
  • Out-of-State Marriages: Michigan may recognize a marriage between first cousins that occurred in another state or country where such unions are legal. A Michigan Supreme Court ruling in 1973 found that a marriage between first cousins in Hungary was valid in Michigan.
  • Other States: Laws regarding cousin marriage vary across the United States. Some states ban first-cousin marriages, while others have restrictions based on age or proof of infertility. States like Alabama, Vermont, and California have no prohibitions against first-cousin marriages.

Related Considerations

  • Immigration: For immigration purposes, the U.S. government considers a marriage valid if it is legal both where it took place and in the state where the couple currently lives or plans to live.
  • Fraudulent Marriages: Faking a wedding and misrepresenting marital status to the court can have legal consequences.
  • Other prohibited marriages: Michigan law also prohibits marriage between a man and his mother, sister, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, stepmother, grandfather’s wife, son’s wife, or grandson’s wife. Similarly, a woman is prohibited from marrying her father, brother, grandfather, son, grandson, stepfather, grandmother’s husband, daughter’s husband, or granddaughter’s husband.

Sources:

[1] https://answers.justia.com/question/2021/06/19/can-two-first-cousins-marry-in-michigan-848720
[2] https://cardozolawreview.com/the-unconstitutionality-of-state-bans-on-marriage-between-first-cousins/
[3] https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM010208.html

Leave a Comment