Massachusetts Among 17 States That Allow First Cousins to Marry

I love my cousins. I have many of them, and we grew up together. I still count my cousins among my best friends even though we don't see as much of each other as we used to – but I couldn't imagine marrying my cousin.

In 17 states, including four in New England, "First-cousin marriage remains completely legal," according to Newsweek.

The states where first-cousin marriage is legal include Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.

Newsweek says Maine allows first cousins to wed with restrictions. New Hampshire prohibits nuptials between first cousins.

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As of this writing, Tennessee lawmakers had passed a bill banning first-cousin marriage. The legislation was awaiting action by Governor Bill Lee.

While Massachusetts residents can marry a first cousin, half-cousin or cousin through adoption, state law prohibits marriage between other close relatives.

Chapter 207, Section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws says, "No man shall marry his mother, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, stepmother, grandfather's wife, grandson's wife, wife's mother, wife's grandmother, wife's daughter, wife's granddaughter, brother's daughter, sister's daughter, father's sister or mother's sister."

Section 2 reads, "No woman shall marry her father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother, stepfather, grandmother's husband, daughter's husband, granddaughter's husband, husband's grandfather, husband's son, husband's grandson, brother's son, father's brother or mother's brother."

Given the recognition of same-sex marriages, Massachusetts lawmakers may want to revisit these rules.

Arizona, Utah, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, like Maine, allow first cousins to marry with restrictions.

Newsweek says, "Critics of the legalization of first-cousin marriage have long pointed to studies that show children of these couples have a higher risk of developing some genetic disorders."