If you want to get married in the United States, the laws vary by region and depend on the amount of family relationship. In Minnesota, as in many other places, it’s not easy to marry a cousin.
Some people find the rules hard to understand. Can you get married to your cousin in Minnesota? In 2024, what does the law say? If you want to marry someone in your family, what do you need to do?
Minnesota’s Law on Marrying First Cousins
In Minnesota, it is against the law for first cousins to get married. This is one of the US’s toughest rules. It is against the law in Minnesota for brothers, half-siblings, and first cousins to get married.
This is because people are worried about the health risks that come with genetics, the social stigma that comes with it, and the need for open lines in family connections. The rule mostly deals with first cousins, which means that there are limits on how they can get married.
First cousins over 65 can get married as long as one or both of them can show they can’t have children. This is for older people only, though. The reason for this exception is that children may be at risk because of their genes.
Laws that allow first cousins who want to get married later in life, when having kids is not as important, by taking into account infertility are a choice.
What’s Allowed with Second Cousins and More
It is against the law in Minnesota for first cousins to get married. However, second cousins and other relatives who live farther away can officially get married.
It happens all the time for second or even third cousins to get married. It’s also allowed, and most people think it’s a good thing. Because of this, the law is not as strict about close family ties because there are not as many genetic issues at stake.
The truth is that Minnesota law lets cousins who live far apart get married. This is how the government stops people from getting closer to their families.
This makes sense since people here are less accepting of family relationships than people in states where cousin marriages are more popular.
Why are these rules in place?
It is against the law for cousins to get married for both scientific and social reasons.
More attention used to be paid to stopping genetic diseases that can happen when first cousins get married or other close relatives get married.
Some studies show that babies born to first cousins are a little more likely to have birth problems, but not by much. Still, this worry has led many states to make strict laws to keep people safe.
There are also cultural and social factors to think about. For instance, getting married to a close family member is frowned upon in many cultures, which changes the law.
What are the differences between Minnesota’s laws and those in other states?
Sometimes Minnesota’s rules are tougher than other states’, but not always. Some states, like California and New York, don’t have any rules about first cousins getting married.
But places like Kentucky and Texas don’t let these kinds of marriages happen at all. Minnesota makes an exception for cousins over 65 who can’t have kids. This isn’t often done, but it shows that the state is willing to be creative and work with the situation.
About 24 states in the U.S. either don’t have any rules against cousin weddings or only allow them under certain circumstances.
Minnesota is one of the 19 states that have limits or bans in place. These different sets of rules show that people still have different ideas about how cousins should get married.
In conclusion
First cousins in Minnesota can’t get married unless one of them is over 65 and can’t have kids. However, Minnesota law doesn’t stop you from getting married if you are second cousins or closer.
This way protects genetic health while also respecting the freedom of adults who are willing to do so, especially when it comes to making choices about marriage later in life.
Read More: Two Cincinnati Cities Among the ‘Dirtiest’ in the U.S., New Report Reveals
