Yes, it is illegal to marry your first cousin in Mississippi. The state’s marriage laws explicitly prohibit such unions, classifying them as incestuous and void from the outset.
Governing Statute
Mississippi Code § 93-1-1(1) states that “the children of brother or sister, or brothers and sisters intermarry being first cousins by blood” is forbidden, alongside marriages between parents/children, siblings, aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews.
This applies uniformly to full or half-first cousins sharing common grandparents, with no exceptions for age, genetics counseling, or religious ceremonies.
Legal Consequences
Such marriages are automatically invalid, denying spouses rights to inheritance, alimony, or spousal privileges.
Mississippi won’t recognize cousin marriages valid elsewhere (e.g., Tennessee), per public policy exceptions to the Full Faith and Credit Clause—complicating divorce, custody, or estate issues for relocated couples.
Distant Relatives
Second cousins (sharing great-grandparents) face no restrictions and can marry freely. No criminal penalties exist solely for the marriage itself, but related acts like incestuous relations may trigger separate charges under other statutes.
Historical Context
Southern states like Mississippi maintain these bans due to genetic and cultural concerns, unchanged as of 2026. Couples should consult county clerks or attorneys; alternatives like powers of attorney help secure non-marital rights.
First-cousin marriage remains firmly off-limits in Mississippi.
SOURCES :
- https://legalclarity.org/can-you-marry-your-cousin-in-mississippi/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
