In Tennessee, the legality of marrying a first cousin is currently in a state of transition. As of now, it is legal to marry your first cousin in Tennessee, as the state is one of 19 that allow such marriages without restrictions. However, recent legislative developments indicate that this may soon change.
Current Legal Status
- Legal Status: First cousin marriages are currently allowed in Tennessee.
- Legislation: A bill has recently passed through the state legislature aimed at prohibiting marriages between first cousins. This bill is now awaiting the signature of Governor Bill Lee to become law. If enacted, it would amend existing laws to ban marriages between “lineal descendants of a grandparent,” effectively making first cousin marriages illegal.
Legislative Background
- Historical Context: The legal allowance for cousin marriages in Tennessee stems from a 1960 opinion by the state’s attorney general, which clarified that existing statutes did not explicitly prohibit such unions.
- Debate: The recent bill has faced opposition, with some lawmakers arguing for amendments that would allow first cousin marriages under certain conditions, such as genetic counseling. However, these amendments were rejected, and the bill passed with overwhelming support in the legislature.
Potential Changes
- Future Implications: If the bill is signed into law, Tennessee will join 25 other states that prohibit first cousin marriages. This change reflects ongoing concerns about genetic risks associated with consanguinity, despite studies suggesting that the actual risk of birth defects is relatively low.
For now, individuals wishing to marry their first cousins in Tennessee can do so legally. However, those interested in such unions should act quickly, as the proposed legislation could soon alter this legal landscape.
SOURCES
[1] https://newschannel9.com/newsletter-daily/tennessee-moves-to-ban-first-cousin-marriages-as-new-bill-heads-to-governors-desk
[2] https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/is-it-legal-to-marry-your-cousin/
[3] https://getordained.org/state-marriage-laws/tennessee
[4] https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/is-it-illegal-to-marry-a-third-cousin/
