In South Carolina, it is legal to marry your first cousin. The state does not prohibit marriage between first cousins, and there are no special restrictions or requirements for such marriages. This places South Carolina among the minority of U.S. states where first cousin marriage is fully permitted.
What Relationships Are Prohibited?
South Carolina law specifically lists certain close family relationships that are prohibited from marrying-such as siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts/uncles with nieces/nephews, and step-relations-but first cousins are not included in this list.
The law is clear that first cousins are permitted to marry, and there are no requirements for genetic counseling or age restrictions beyond the general marriage laws.
Legal Sources and Confirmation
- State Law: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 20, Chapter 1, outlines prohibited marriages and does not include first cousins among those barred from marriage.
- Legal Guides: Multiple legal resources and news outlets confirm that first cousin marriage is allowed with no restrictions in South Carolina.
Summary Table
| Relationship | Marriage Legal in SC? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Cousin | Yes | No restrictions |
| Sibling | No | Prohibited |
| Parent/Child | No | Prohibited |
| Aunt/Uncle-Niece/Nephew | No | Prohibited |
It is legal to marry your first cousin in South Carolina. The state does not impose any special restrictions or requirements for cousin marriage, and such unions are fully recognized under state law.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
- https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/legally-marry-cousin-sc-law-100000048.html
- https://www.findlaw.com/state/south-carolina-law/south-carolina-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage