Marrying Your Cousin in Michigan: Is It Legal? If you wish to marry your cousin in the state of Michigan, you are obliged to comply with the marriage regulations of that state, which dictates how close family members are permitted to be married. The regulation on marriage among cousins varies in each region of the U.S., which is confusing.
Some states ban cousins from getting married altogether, while others permit some form of marriage. Here is what Michigan’s law has to say on marriage to your cousin.
Awareness of the Marriage Laws in Michigan
Michigan Compiled rules, MCL, holds the marriage laws in Michigan. Specifically, Section 551.3 in MCL mentions which marriages are strictly prohibited.
The law prohibits the marriage between grandparents and grandchildren, parents and children, siblings, aunts and uncles with their cousins and nephews. Still, it is evident that marriages between first cousins are not permitted in the state of Michigan.
One state that does not allow first cousins to marry is Michigan. In law, “no man shall marry his mother, sister, daughter, aunt, or niece” plus “no woman shall marry her father, brother, son, uncle, or nephew.”
To complicate matters even further, the law decrees that marriages between “first cousins” are unlawful because they are blood relatives.
Other Forms of Cousin Marriages?
Michigan prohibits marriages between first cousins, but it does not prohibit weddings between more distant cousins. For example, the second cousins, third cousins, and so on are not on the list of prohibited ties.
There exists one other group of marriages that may be celebrated in Michigan. It includes marriages allowed due to the exception that these don’t fall into the definition of an incestuous marriage given by Michigan state.
But remember that these laws only apply to people who are blood relatives and not married relations. Therefore, Michigan law does not stop people from getting married if they are connected to a cousin only by marriage and not by blood.
Age and Consent
Michigan law doesn’t only prohibit first cousins to get married but is also strict about age and consent for marriage. A person has to be at least 18 years old in order to be married without the involvement of parents.
People who are 16 or 17 years of age, however, can get married with parent’s permission. In any case, the people, even if related, must follow this age standard.
Michigan’s age of consent is part of the state’s greater push to ensure that marriages are entered into willingly and with a full understanding of both parties’ duties as spouses. Under Michigan law, the couple must first receive a marriage license prior to having the actual wedding ceremony.
Both parties must appear in person to apply for the license and prove age and identity.
Exceptions to Cousin Marriage Laws
It’s illegal in Michigan to marry a first cousin but not always illegal everywhere else. For instance, some places and countries will allow cousin marriages if okay culturally or religiously.
Even if this first cousin marriage is legal in another state or country, it is still not a valid marriage according to Michigan law if the couple lives in Michigan.
In addition, cousin marriages are permissible in some states but only if some specific requirements have to be fulfilled, like proof of infertility or someone being unable to procreate due to old age. In the case of Michigan, however, neither of these applies.
If there is an exception like this elsewhere, the laws of Michigan will still prevail after the couple moves to or resides in Michigan.
Social Attitudes Undergo Transformation
Rules regarding cousin marriages have evolved with passage of time because of changes in society and new scientific discoveries. It used to be more common for people to get married to their cousins, mainly in small towns or the countryside.
Regrettably, current fears of genetic issues that may occur during the union of close relatives have resulted in many states, including Michigan, prohibiting first cousin marriages.
Genetic studies revealed that children of first cousins are more prone to birth defects than in the general community. The resulting shift of laws and policies related to public health was partly due to these studies.
However, according to some people, the genetic risks in cousin marriage have been exaggerated. There are also groups advocating the allowance of cousin marriage.
Conclusion
That is, to summarize, Michigan law does not allow first cousins to marry.
State law declares that such marriages are invalid and Michigan will not recognize marriages between first cousins if these marriages were performed in other states. However, it is permissible and recognized in the state for second cousins or other distant relatives for them to get married.
