Marriage laws regarding cousins vary widely across the United States, leading to confusion for couples considering such a union. In Colorado, the legal stance is clear and straightforward. Here’s what you need to know.
First Cousin Marriage Is Legal in Colorado
Colorado law allows first cousins to marry without restriction. There are no special conditions, age requirements, or fertility stipulations that apply specifically to cousin marriages in the state. This means you can legally marry your first cousin-your parent’s sibling’s child-just as you would any unrelated person.
What Relationships Are Prohibited?
While Colorado permits first cousin marriage, there are clear prohibitions on other close-relative marriages. The following relationships are not allowed to marry in Colorado:
- Ancestor and descendant (parent/child, grandparent/grandchild)
- Siblings (brother/sister)
- Aunt/uncle and niece/nephew (with a rare exception for certain aboriginal customs)
These prohibitions are absolute and do not depend on age, fertility, or whether the relatives are half-blood or whole-blood.
How Colorado Compares to Other States
Colorado is one of 18-19 states in the U.S. where first cousin marriage is fully legal. In contrast, 24 states prohibit first cousin marriage, and several others allow it only under specific conditions, such as advanced age or infertility. Some states also void cousin marriages performed elsewhere, but Colorado recognizes such unions without restriction.
Summary Table
| Relationship Type | Marriage Legal in Colorado? |
|---|---|
| First cousins | Yes |
| Second cousins | Yes |
| Siblings | No |
| Aunt/uncle & niece/nephew | No (with rare exceptions) |
| Ancestor & descendant | No |
It is fully legal to marry your first cousin in Colorado, with no special restrictions or requirements. The state only prohibits marriages between direct ancestors/descendants, siblings, and aunt/uncle with niece/nephew. If you are considering marrying your cousin in Colorado, the law is on your side.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
- https://999thepoint.com/cousin-marriage-colorado/
- https://www.graham.law/blog/marry-your-cousin-colorado-family-marriage/
- https://k99.com/cousin-marriage-colorado/