Maryland is one of the U.S. states that legally allow marriage between first cousins, making it relatively permissive compared to many other states. As of current Maryland law, marriage between first cousins is permitted without any special conditions or restrictions, distinguishing Maryland from states that either ban cousin marriages outright or permit them only under certain circumstances such as advanced age or infertility.
According to records from Maryland’s circuit clerks, particularly in the state’s western counties, there is a modest but notable number of first cousins who marry in Maryland each year. Many of these couples are from out-of-state, coming to Maryland specifically because their home states prohibit cousin marriages. Counties like Allegany and Garrett have reported issuing several marriage licenses annually to cousins, highlighting Maryland’s role as a destination for what some refer to as “kissing cousins” looking to legitimize their unions.
In Maryland, the prohibition list for marriage is quite clear, but notably excludes cousins. Marriage is forbidden between very close relatives such as siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, stepparents and stepchildren, as well as certain in-law relationships. However, cousins—even first cousins—are not included in any of these prohibited degrees of consanguinity, allowing their legal marriage.
This permissiveness contrasts with the laws of neighboring states. For example, West Virginia explicitly prohibits marriage between first cousins, and Pennsylvania broadly prohibits marriage “by blood relation.” Consequently, Maryland often attracts residents from these nearby states who seek the ability to marry a cousin legally. Around 40 percent of marriage licenses issued in some western counties go to non-residents, many of whom come from West Virginia and Pennsylvania expressly because of Maryland’s more lenient laws.
The legal acceptance of cousin marriage in Maryland aligns with the broader national landscape, where about 19 states allow first cousin marriage without significant restrictions. These states include Maryland, California, New York, Massachusetts, and others. Some states impose conditions such as age limits (e.g., over 50 or 65 years old) or require genetic counseling, but Maryland does not currently apply these conditions.
Historically, there have been legislative discussions and attempts to ban or restrict first cousin marriages in Maryland, with a notable proposal passed by the Maryland House of Delegates in 2000, which sought to criminalize such marriages. Yet these efforts have not resulted in a change of the law, and first cousin marriage remains legal today. Court clerks in Maryland continue to routinely process cousin marriages, highlighting this status quo.
Marrying your cousin in Maryland is fully legal with no restrictions beyond the general prohibition against close relatives marrying. Maryland’s law permits first cousins to marry freely, distinguishing it from other states with prohibitions or conditional allowances. The state’s permissive stance has made it a common venue for cousin marriages involving residents from more restrictive neighboring states. This legal framework reflects Maryland’s position in the complex patchwork of cousin marriage laws across the United States.
Sources
[1] https://cnsmaryland.org/1999/12/03/marylands-lax-marriage-law-lures-kissing-cousins-looking-to-go-legit/
[2] https://theamm.org/articles/1927-kissing-cousins-the-popularity-controversy-of-cousin-marriage
[3] https://www.peoples-law.org/who-may-marry-maryland
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage
