In Missouri, marrying your cousin is prohibited by state law. This prohibition applies to both first cousins and first cousins once removed, as well as other close relatives. Here’s a detailed explanation of Missouri’s laws regarding cousin marriages:
Missouri Marriage Laws
Missouri’s marriage laws are designed to prevent marriages between close relatives. The state prohibits marriages between:
- Whole and half-blood grandparents and grandchildren
- Aunts and uncles and their nephews and nieces
- First cousins
This means that individuals in Missouri cannot legally marry their first cousins, regardless of any other conditions such as age or fertility status.
Legal Consequences
If a couple attempts to marry in violation of these laws, the marriage would not be recognized as valid under Missouri law. This could lead to legal complications if the couple seeks to establish rights or benefits typically associated with marriage.
Comparison with Other States
While Missouri strictly prohibits first-cousin marriages, some states allow such marriages under specific conditions. For example, in Indiana, first cousins can marry if both parties are 65 or older. In Illinois, first cousins can marry if both are 50 or older, or if one of the parties is infertile. Missouri does not offer such exceptions.
Cohabitation and Sexual Relations
Although Missouri prohibits marriage between first cousins, it does allow them to cohabitate and have sexual relations. This distinction highlights the state’s focus on preventing legal marriages between close relatives rather than regulating personal relationships.
marrying your cousin is illegal in Missouri due to the state’s laws prohibiting marriages between close relatives. While some states permit such marriages under certain conditions, Missouri does not provide any exceptions for first-cousin marriages.
Additional Information on Cousin Marriage Laws
- States Allowing First-Cousin Marriages: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Vermont.
- States Prohibiting First-Cousin Marriages: Missouri is among the states that prohibit first-cousin marriages, including Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
- Legal Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages: Some states recognize marriages performed in other states, even if those marriages would be prohibited locally. However, Missouri’s laws do not explicitly address this scenario for cousin marriages.
SOURCES:-
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
[2] https://getordained.org/state-marriage-laws/missouri
[3] https://cardozolawreview.com/the-unconstitutionality-of-state-bans-on-marriage-between-first-cousins/
[4] https://www.insideedition.com/gallery/kissing-cousins-states-where-marrying-your-relative-legal-48234
[5] https://www.mec.mo.gov/WebDocs/PDF/Misc/RelationshipChart.pdf
