Maryland is one of the states in the U.S. where marriage between first cousins is explicitly legal. State law prohibits marriage between certain close relatives—such as siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews—but does not prohibit marriage between first cousins. This makes Maryland one of a minority of states that allow first cousins to marry without restriction.
What Maryland Law Says
- Permitted: Marriage between first cousins is legal in Maryland.
- Prohibited: Marriage is not allowed between siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and certain step-relatives.
- No Special Conditions: Unlike some states that require genetic counseling or have age or infertility requirements for cousin marriage, Maryland does not impose such conditions for first cousins wishing to marry.
Additional Details
- Maryland’s relatively permissive marriage laws have made it a destination for out-of-state couples, including first cousins, seeking to marry legally.
- The law does require both parties to be present for the marriage ceremony and sets minimum age requirements, but these are unrelated to cousin marriage specifically.
Summary Table
| Relationship | Marriage Legal in Maryland? |
|---|---|
| Sibling | No |
| Parent/Child | No |
| Aunt/Uncle | No |
| Niece/Nephew | No |
| First Cousin | Yes |
It is legal to marry your first cousin in Maryland, and there are no special restrictions or requirements for such marriages under state law.
Sources
- https://cnsmaryland.org/1999/12/03/marylands-lax-marriage-law-lures-kissing-cousins-looking-to-go-legit/
- https://www.newsweek.com/map-states-marry-cousin-tennessee-ban-1889727
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
- https://www.peoples-law.org/who-may-marry-maryland
- https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/cousin-marriage-laws.html
