In New Hampshire, it is illegal to marry your first cousin. The state’s law explicitly prohibits marriage between people related by blood as first cousins or in any more direct lineage. This ban has been in place since 1869 and applies strictly with no exceptions.
Details of the Law
- The law includes a comprehensive list of prohibited relationships for marriage, covering various close relatives including first cousins.
- New Hampshire also does not recognize marriages of first cousins legally performed in other states where it may be allowed.
- More distant relatives such as first cousins once removed, second cousins, and beyond may legally marry in New Hampshire.
Comparison to Other New England States
- New Hampshire is the only New England state that bans first cousin marriage.
- Neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont allow cousin marriages under varying conditions, with Maine requiring genetic counseling.
It is legally prohibited to marry a first cousin in New Hampshire, with strict enforcement and no exceptions. Marriage between more distant cousins is allowed, but cousin marriages performed outside New Hampshire are not recognized if they involve first cousins.
Sources
(https://wokq.com/is-it-illegal-to-marry-your-first-cousin-in-new-england/)
(https://wokq.com/is-it-legal-to-marry-your-first-cousin-new-hampshire/)
(https://dataminingdna.com/can-first-cousins-marry-in-new-hampshire/)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States)
(https://11points.com/11-state-laws-marrying-cousins-strictest-loosest/)
