It is legal to marry your first cousin in Hawaii. State law specifically allows marriage between cousins, provided the relationship is not closer than first cousins. This means you cannot marry a sibling, half-sibling, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew, but first cousin marriages are permitted.
Legal Requirements for Marriage in Hawaii
- Age: Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. Those aged 16 or 17 can marry with written consent from both parents or a legal guardian, and those aged 15 also need a judge’s approval.
- Relationship: The couple cannot be more closely related than first cousins.
- Other Requirements: No blood tests or state residency are required. Valid photo identification is necessary to obtain a marriage license.
Summary Table
| Relationship Type | Legal to Marry in Hawaii? |
|---|---|
| Sibling/Half-Sibling | No |
| Uncle/Aunt-Niece/Nephew | No |
| First Cousin | Yes |
| Second Cousin | Yes |
You can legally marry your first cousin in Hawaii. The law is clear on this point, and there are no special restrictions or requirements beyond those that apply to all marriages in the state.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
- https://emrs.ehawaii.gov/emrs/public/faq.html
- https://www.draslamabdullah.com/post/first-cousin-marriage-laws-in-the-u-s
- https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/cousin-marriage-laws.html