It is illegal to marry your first cousin in Wyoming. Wyoming law specifically states that marriages between first cousins are void, meaning they are not legally recognized by the state.
This prohibition applies regardless of whether the cousins are related by whole or half blood (the law uses the phrase “whether either party is illegitimate,” but this is a legal term referring to ancestry, not marital status).
Key Points:
- First Cousin Marriage: Not allowed in Wyoming. Such marriages are considered void from the outset.
- Half or Whole Blood: The law applies to both full first cousins and half first cousins (children of half-siblings).
- More Distant Relatives: Marriages between first cousins once removed (e.g., your first cousin’s child) or second cousins are legal in Wyoming.
- Other Prohibited Relationships: Wyoming also prohibits marriages between parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, brother and sister (including half-siblings), uncle and niece, and aunt and nephew.
Summary Table
| Relationship | Legal to Marry in Wyoming? |
|---|---|
| First cousins | No |
| First cousins once removed | Yes |
| Second cousins | Yes |
| Parent/child, etc. | No |
You cannot legally marry your first cousin in Wyoming, but you may marry more distant relatives such as first cousins once removed or second cousins.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
- https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/title-20/chapter-2/article-1/section-20-2-101/
- https://dataminingdna.com/can-first-cousins-marry-in-wyoming/
- https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title20.pdf