In Maryland, it is legal to marry your first cousin under state law. Maryland is one of the states in the U.S. that permits marriage between first cousins without specific restrictions or bans.
This has made Maryland a destination for some couples from neighboring states where cousin marriage is prohibited or regulated more strictly. The state’s marriage laws prohibit unions between closer relatives—such as siblings, parents and children, and grandparents and grandchildren—but not between cousins.
Legal Prohibitions on Marriage by Relation
While cousin marriage is allowed, Maryland law strictly prohibits marriages between immediate family members including parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and other closely related family members by blood or marriage.
The law also forbids marriages between stepparents and stepchildren, aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, and other similar relationships. This is to prevent incestuous unions that the state considers harmful or inappropriate.
Why Maryland Allows Cousin Marriage
Maryland’s permissive stance on cousin marriage is relatively uncommon in the United States but has historical and cultural roots. The state’s lack of restriction on marrying first cousins reflects a broader approach to marriage laws that do not discriminate against cousin relationships. This legal allowance has also attracted some couples from neighboring states like West Virginia and Pennsylvania, where cousin marriage is illegal or regulated more strictly.
Differences Across States and Context in the U.S.
Across the United States, marriage laws about cousins vary widely. About 18 states allow first cousins to marry, including Maryland, while many others ban such marriages altogether or impose conditions such as genetic counseling or age limits.
For example, Maine allows cousin marriage only if the couple undergoes genetic counseling, while Pennsylvania prohibits it more broadly. These differences cause some couples to travel to Maryland to wed legally.
Potential Social and Cultural Considerations
Although legal, cousin marriage is often viewed with social stigma in many communities due to cultural norms, health concerns related to genetics, and historical attitudes.
However, in some cultural and religious groups, cousin marriage remains a common and accepted practice. Maryland’s allowance of cousin marriage respects these diverse traditions while maintaining legal boundaries against closer familial marriages.
What Prospective Cousin Couples Should Know
Couples considering cousin marriage in Maryland should be aware that:
The marriage is legally valid and recognized by the state.
They must still meet all other marriage requirements such as age limits, consent, and license issuance.
Close family marriages beyond cousins remain prohibited.
If moving to or from Maryland, marriage recognition may vary based on other state laws.
Understanding these elements ensures that couples comply fully with Maryland’s marriage laws and avoid legal complications.
In Maryland, marrying your first cousin is legal and allowed under state law. This sets Maryland apart from many other states that restrict cousin marriages. However, it remains illegal to marry closer relatives such as siblings or parents. Couples must still follow general marriage rules, but cousin marriage itself is not criminalized or prohibited. Maryland’s position provides an option for couples seeking such unions within the legal framework of U.S. marriage laws.
Sources
(https://cnsmaryland.org/1999/12/03/marylands-lax-marriage-law-lures-kissing-cousins-looking-to-go-legit/)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage)
(https://www.peoples-law.org/who-may-marry-maryland)
(https://www.newsweek.com/map-states-marry-cousin-tennessee-ban-1889727)
