It is legal for first cousins to marry in Hawaii. The state’s marriage laws allow marriages between cousins, provided the couple is not more closely related than first cousins—meaning, you cannot marry a sibling, parent, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew, Marriages between first cousins, first cousins once removed, second cousins, and more distant relatives are all permitted.
Key points about cousin marriage in Hawaii:
- First Cousin Marriages: Legal and explicitly allowed.
- Closer Relatives: Marriages between siblings (full or half-blood), parent and child, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew are prohibited,
- Marriage License Application: Couples must apply in person for a marriage license and disclose their relationship if they are related. Being first cousins will not prevent you from obtaining a license.
- No Residency Requirement: Both residents and non-residents can marry in Hawaii.
- Other Restrictions: Bigamous marriages (where one or both parties are already married) are also prohibited.
Summary Table
| Relationship | Legal to Marry in Hawaii? |
|---|---|
| First Cousins | Yes |
| Siblings | No |
| Parent & Child | No |
| Uncle & Niece/Aunt & Nephew | No |
| Second Cousins or More Distant | Yes |
You can legally marry your first cousin in Hawaii, but not anyone closer in blood relation. The process is straightforward, and there are no residency requirements for couples wishing to wed in the state. You have previously shown interest in marriage laws and cousin marriages, so this information aligns with your broader curiosity about legal regulations9.
Sources
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
[2] https://health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-licenses/
[3] https://collincountymagazine.com/2025/06/05/is-it-illegal-to-marry-your-cousin-in-hawaii-heres-what-the-law-says/
[4] https://dataminingdna.com/can-first-cousins-marry-in-hawaii/
[5] https://getordained.org/state-marriage-laws/hawaii
