It is illegal to marry your cousin in Kentucky if the cousin is closer than a second cousin. Kentucky law (KRS 402.010) explicitly prohibits marriage between persons who are nearer of kin than second cousins, making marriages between first cousins incestuous and void.
This prohibition has been in place since at least 1946. Furthermore, even if a marriage between first cousins is performed in another state, Kentucky will not recognize it as valid.
Marriages between first cousins in Kentucky are considered a misdemeanor and can carry legal penalties such as fines or imprisonment.
Marriage between first cousins or closer relatives is forbidden by Kentucky law and is not legally recognized or allowed within the state.
Marriages between second cousins or more distant relatives are permitted.
Sources
[1] https://www.garycjohnson.com/qa-is-it-legal-to-marry-your-first-cousin-in-kentucky/
[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/cousin-marriage-legal-kentucky-210000676.html
[3] https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=36465
[4] https://www.yeklaw.com/blog/2024/july/immigration-and-marriage-between-cousins/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
