Yes, marrying your first cousin is illegal in New Hampshire, making it the only New England state with a strict ban on such unions. This prohibition stems from state statutes that explicitly list prohibited relationships, reflecting concerns over genetic risks and social norms.
While more distant cousins can wed, first cousins face clear legal barriers, including non-recognition of out-of-state marriages.
New Hampshire’s Marriage Prohibitions
New Hampshire law forbids marriage between individuals related by blood as first cousins or closer, such as parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
The statute outlines eight specific combinations for first cousins—like a father’s brother’s son or mother’s sister’s daughter—to leave no ambiguity. This blanket ban applies statewide with no exceptions for age, fertility, or other factors, unlike some states that allow waivers.
First cousins once removed or second cousins, however, are permitted to marry since they fall outside the prohibited degrees.
The law also blocks marriages between adoptive cousins but allows first cousins to cohabitate or engage in sexual relations without penalty. Out-of-state first-cousin marriages are voided if the couple relocates to New Hampshire, ensuring the state’s rules prevail.
Why the Ban Exists
Health risks from consanguineous unions, like higher chances of genetic disorders in offspring, underpin many U.S. restrictions, though New Hampshire’s law predates modern genetics studies.
Nationally, first-cousin marriage is illegal in about 32 states, legal in 18, but stigmatized everywhere. In New England, neighbors like Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island permit it, often with minimal restrictions—Maine requires genetic counseling.
New Hampshire’s unique stance among Northeastern states draws jokes likening it to Southern taboos, but rural practices elsewhere rarely factor in. Critics question the logic of allowing relations but not marriage, yet the law prioritizes formal unions.
Legal Process and Penalties
To marry in New Hampshire, couples apply for a license from a town or city clerk, who verifies no prohibited relationships exist—no blood tests are required.
Violating the cousin ban renders the marriage invalid, potentially complicating inheritance, custody, or divorce. There’s no criminal penalty for attempting it, but the union holds no legal weight.
Couples might travel to states like Vermont for a valid ceremony, but returning home nullifies it under New Hampshire Revised Statutes. For legal advice, consult the full statutes via the state legislature’s website or a family law attorney.
Broader U.S. Context
Cousin marriage laws vary wildly: fully banned in states like Texas and Nevada, allowed with conditions in others like Arizona (over 65 or infertile). New Hampshire aligns with stricter jurisdictions, prioritizing public policy over personal choice. Globally, it’s common in parts of the Middle East and South Asia but rare in the West.
Immigration can complicate matters; federal rules recognize state-validated marriages for visas. As of 2026, no reforms are pending in New Hampshire amid stable caselaw.
Final Considerations
If you’re navigating family ties in the Granite State, know first-cousin marriage isn’t an option—plan accordingly with more distant relatives or out-of-state alternatives that might not transfer.
Always verify with official sources, as laws evolve slowly but surely. For personalized guidance, reach out to New Hampshire’s vital records office.
SOURCES :
- https://wokq.com/is-it-legal-to-marry-your-first-cousin-new-hampshire/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2605922/
