Arizona Marriage Laws Regarding Cousins
Arizona law has strict limitations regarding who can marry whom. Marriages between parents and children, including grandparents and grandchildren, siblings (including half-siblings), aunts and nephews, uncles and nieces, and first cousins are prohibited and considered void.
Exceptions for First Cousins
There are exceptions to the law for first cousins under specific conditions:
- Age: First cousins can marry if both are 65 years of age or older.
- Reproductive Inability: First cousins may marry if one or both are under 65 years of age, with the approval of a superior court judge, if they can prove that one of them is unable to reproduce.
These exceptions appear to be based on health risks to children, as opposed to moral objections. The age cut-off of 65 seems to relate to the typical child-bearing age of women. It is possible that a woman who is post-menopause could present a note from her doctor.
Marrying More Distant Cousins
Arizona law does allow for marriages between more distant relatives, such as second cousins.
Requirements for Valid Marriage in Arizona
To have a valid marriage in Arizona, the following requirements must be met:
- The couple must participate in a marriage ceremony.
- The couple must obtain a marriage license.
- The marriage must be solemnized by someone authorized to do so before the license expires. This could be a pastor or justice of the peace, or someone believed to be authorized by at least one of the parties.
Additional Marriage Requirements
Other requirements to be aware of in Arizona include:
- Age: The legal age to marry in Arizona is 18 years old. If a person is under 18, they must have prior consent from a parent or guardian. If a person is under 16, they need both prior consent from a parent or guardian and court approval.
- Residency: There is no residency requirement for marriage in Arizona. You can marry in Arizona whether you are a resident of the state, from out of state, or from another country.
- Same-Sex Marriage: Same-sex marriages are legal in Arizona.
Sources:
- https://theamm.org/marriage-laws/arizona/288
- https://sc.lawforkids.org/speakup/printable.cfm?id=22689
- https://www.dataminingdna.com/can-first-cousins-marry-in-arizona/
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/25/00101.htm
