It is legal to marry your first cousin in North Carolina, with one notable exception: you cannot marry your “double first cousin.” North Carolina law specifically allows marriage between first cousins, but prohibits marriage between individuals who are more closely related than first cousins, including double first cousins.
A double first cousin relationship occurs when two siblings from one family marry two siblings from another family, and their respective children (who share all four grandparents) wish to marry each other. This relationship is considered closer than that of ordinary first cousins and is not permitted under North Carolina law.
The law further clarifies that marriages between persons more closely related than first cousins, or between double first cousins, are void. The relevant statute states:
“All marriages between any two persons nearer of kin than first cousins, or between double first cousins… are declared to be incestuous and void.”
For all other first cousin relationships, there are no special restrictions or requirements beyond those that apply to any marriage in North Carolina. Both parties must be at least 18 years old (or meet specific requirements for minors), not be currently married to someone else, and must be able to understand their actions.
First cousin marriage is legal in North Carolina.
Double first cousin marriage is prohibited.
Marriages between persons more closely related than first cousins are also prohibited.
If you are considering marrying a first cousin in North Carolina and are not double first cousins, you are allowed to do so under state law.
Sources
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
[2] https://www.montylaw.com/divorce-family-law/marriage-laws/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/1kiml7r/legal_status_of_first_cousin_marriage/
[5] https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/divorce-and-marriage/marriage
