In Georgia, the legal status of marrying your first cousin is clear: it is legal to marry your first cousin. The Georgia Code, specifically § 19-3-3, outlines which familial relationships are prohibited from marrying, such as parent and child, siblings, grandparent and grandchild, aunt and nephew, and uncle and niece. Notably, first cousins are not on this list of prohibited relationships, which means that the law does not forbid marriage between first cousins.
Georgia’s approach to cousin marriage is consistent with the laws of several other U.S. states, but it stands in contrast to the majority of states, where first cousin marriage is either prohibited outright or allowed only under certain circumstances. As of 2025, only 18 states, including Georgia, allow first cousin marriages without restriction, while 24 states prohibit it, and eight states allow it only under specific conditions, such as age or infertility. In Georgia, there are no special requirements, age restrictions, or genetic counseling mandates for first cousin marriages beyond those that apply to any other marriage.
The law in Georgia is explicit: marriages between first cousins are not considered incestuous or unlawful. The statute lists the relationships that are considered too close for marriage, and the omission of cousins from this list is intentional and has been upheld in both legal opinions and court decisions. For example, a 1965-66 opinion by the Georgia Attorney General confirmed that “marriage between first cousins not being prohibited, such marriage is legal and proper in this state”. This interpretation has been consistent over time, and legal resources and family law practitioners in Georgia confirm that first cousin marriages are recognized and valid.
It is important to distinguish this from the rules regarding other close relatives. Marriages between siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and nephews, or uncles and nieces are strictly prohibited. Such marriages are not only void from their inception but also carry criminal penalties, including imprisonment of one to three years for knowingly entering into such a prohibited union. In contrast, first cousin marriages do not carry any such penalties or restrictions.
Culturally, while cousin marriage is legal in Georgia, it is not particularly common and may still be viewed with some social stigma. However, from a legal standpoint, there are no barriers. If a couple who are first cousins wishes to marry in Georgia, they can do so just as any other couple would, by obtaining a marriage license and fulfilling the standard legal requirements, such as age and consent.
For those considering marriage to a first cousin in Georgia, it is advisable to be aware that while the marriage is legal in Georgia, some other states do not recognize cousin marriages performed elsewhere. This could have implications if the couple moves to a state where cousin marriage is prohibited, as recognition of the marriage may not be guaranteed. However, within Georgia, the marriage is fully valid and recognized by law.
Marrying your first cousin in Georgia is legal, and such marriages are neither void nor subject to criminal penalty. The law is clear and has been consistently interpreted to allow first cousin marriages without special conditions or exceptions.
Sources
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
[2] https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2020/title-19/chapter-3/article-1/section-19-3-3/
[3] https://www.allfamilylaw.com/blog/2016/09/can-you-marry-your-cousin-in-georgia/
[4] https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/cousin-marriage-laws.html
[5] https://www.findlaw.com/state/georgia-law/georgia-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html
