Marrying Your Cousin in Virginia: Is It Legal? Marriage regulations in the United States vary by state. One of the often contentious areas concerns marrying a cousin or not.
While some states are pretty strict in their laws, others are less so. Are you wondering what Virginia law says on the matter about cousin marriage? Here’s a look.
What the Law Says
In Virginia, you are allowed to marry your first cousin. In this state, no laws prohibit first cousins from marriage.
Thus, first cousins, people who share a grandparent, can get married legally. Several states have laws that make marriage of cousins illegal or even hard, while Virginia allows this custom more freely.
Important to remember, however: though first cousin marriages are legal, there are some restrictions as regards other kinds of family ties. For example, Virginia does not allow siblings, half-siblings, parents and children, or other closely related family members to marry.
Rules such as these serve to safeguard public health and genetic diversity, and help prevent difficulties which can result from intermarriage between close relatives.
Why Some States Ban Cousin Marriage
The concept of marriage between cousins is touchy in some places because of genetics.
Marriage with a sibling with whom you share many genes is considered to have a little more possibility that your offspring might carry across some genetic anomalies or conditions from parent to child. Due to this reason, some states have outlawed, or even made it difficult, for cousins to get married.
Some states have determined that the risks of cousin marriage are not enough to warrant legal limits. In fact, genetic research shows that the chance of birth defects is still pretty low for children of first cousins, although it is a little higher.
The possibility that a child of a first cousin may suffer birth defects is as high as 4% to 7%. This implies that the children of cousin marriages are more likely to have birth defects than the general population, which is between 3% to 4%. Because of the numbers, states such as Virginia maintain loose rules regarding cousin marriage.
Marriage to Second Cousin or More Distant Relatives
In Virginia, one also has the right to marry a second cousin or somebody even further down the family tree. Although the genetic relationship between second cousins is somewhat different from first cousins, people still believe that it’s illegal for them to be married.
Marriages between second cousins or other distant relatives are allowed without any restrictions in Virginia, so if such people want to marry each other, they have nothing to worry about.
Religious and Cultural Considerations
Now, religion and cultural norms may differ from the law that says about marrying with cousins. Even though it isn’t against the state, some faith groups may have rules saying that cousin marriage is wrong.
Similarly, couples who are willing to get marry with a cousin may face social problems or tensions because of culture or family expectations.
Before moving on, couples often think not only about what the law has to say but also about how their friends and family may react to the relationship.
On the basis of their beliefs and how their family operates, some couples will be comfortable dealing with these issues while others will conclude that they must look at other options.
Other Legal Considerations
Virginia does permit marriage between cousins, and the couple should be aware of other potential legal consequences. For example, inheritance laws can vary based on how close a person is to a decedent depending upon whether there is a will.
In this case it would be prudent to discuss your marital status with an attorney in order to understand its implications for you.
People who are married and want to move to a state where cousin marriage is not legal also know that their marriage might be legal in Virginia but may have issues in other states.
Some states, such as Kentucky and West Virginia, do not permit first cousin marriages. That would make things complicated in court with regard to property, marital rights, or even the recognition of the marriage itself.
Conclusion
Marriage is permitted with a first cousin, second cousin, and cousins from further removed in Virginia. According to state statute, cousins cannot be married, but siblings and other close family members cannot be married either.
For other reasons, such as genetics or social norms, different people may marry a cousin. However, under the laws of Virginia, it is a decision left to the partners.
