Is It Illegal to Marry Your Cousin in Minnesota ? Here’s What the Law Says

In Minnesota, it is illegal to marry your first cousin under state law. The prohibition applies regardless of whether the cousin relationship is by whole blood, half-blood, or adoption. This restriction is part of broader laws in Minnesota that ban marriages between close relatives, including siblings, uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews, and first cousins.

Legal Framework

Minnesota Statutes explicitly list the types of marriages that are prohibited. Among these are marriages between first cousins unless permitted by the established customs of certain aboriginal cultures. This exception is rare and narrowly applied. The law also voids any such marriages performed out of state for Minnesota residents if the intent is to bypass Minnesota’s marriage restrictions.

Historical Context

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Efforts to change this law have been proposed in the past. For example, a 2003 bill sought to legalize first-cousin marriages in Minnesota, citing studies that challenged the assumption of significant genetic risks associated with such unions. However, this legislation did not pass, and the prohibition remains in place.

Comparison with Other States

Minnesota’s stance aligns with many other U.S. states that prohibit first-cousin marriages. As of 2025, 24 states ban these marriages outright, while 18 states allow them under various conditions. In some states where cousin marriage is allowed, additional requirements like genetic counseling or proof of infertility may apply.

Exceptions and Cultural Considerations

The only exception in Minnesota’s law pertains to aboriginal customs that might allow such marriages. This provision acknowledges cultural practices but does not broadly legalize cousin marriage for the general population.

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Marrying your first cousin in Minnesota is illegal unless it falls under rare cultural exceptions. This reflects a cautious approach to close-relative marriages consistent with laws in many other U.S. states.

Sources:

1. https://jssmn.com/civil-marriage/
2. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2015/cite/517.03
3. https://mndaily.com/235238/not-using/politics/proposed-bill-would-legalize-first-cousin-marriages/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
5. https://www.lawhelpmn.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/F-13%20Marriage%20in%20MN.pdf