In North Carolina, it is legal to marry your first cousin. The state’s marriage laws specifically allow first cousins to marry, with one notable exception: double first cousins are not permitted to marry each other.
Double first cousins are individuals who are related through both parents-for example, if two brothers marry two sisters, their children would be double first cousins.
Legal Language and Requirements
- Allowed: First cousins may marry in North Carolina.
- Prohibited: Marriages between people who are more closely related than first cousins (such as siblings, parent-child, aunt/uncle-niece/nephew) and marriages between double first cousins are not allowed.
- Marriage License: A marriage license is required, and both parties must meet age and consent requirements.
Out-of-State Marriages
If a marriage is legal in the state where it was performed, North Carolina generally recognizes it, except in cases that violate its specific prohibitions (such as double first cousin marriages).
Summary Table: Cousin Marriage in North Carolina
| Relationship | Legal to Marry in NC? |
|---|---|
| First Cousin | Yes |
| Double First Cousin | No |
| More Distant Cousin | Yes |
You can legally marry your first cousin in North Carolina. The only exception is for double first cousins, who are not permitted to marry under state law. All other requirements for marriage-such as age, consent, and obtaining a marriage license-must also be met
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
- https://www.ncbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/marriage-in-nc.pdf
- https://www.montylaw.com/divorce-family-law/marriage-laws/
- https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/divorce-and-marriage/marriage
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage