When planning a wedding, you’ve got a lot to think about. From decorations to picking the perfect jewelry for your bridal party, there’s no shortage of things to manage. But one thing you absolutely have to do yourself? Get your marriage license.
When I went down to the courthouse with my fiancé, Nate, we gathered our IDs, social security numbers, and $30, as the website told us. However, as I was reading through the requirements, I came across something unexpected that made me stop—something about “relations.”
It stated that applicants cannot be first cousins or closer when applying for a marriage license.
I honestly never thought about it before, but it turns out marrying your cousin is illegal in Idaho.
Why Can’t You Marry Your First Cousin in Idaho?
Apparently, cousin marriage is more common than you might think—about 20% of all couples worldwide are first cousins, according to CousinCouples.com. However, in the U.S., 24 states (including Idaho) do not allow first cousins to marry.
This means that, in Idaho, you cannot marry a first cousin—someone who shares a grandparent with you. But don’t worry, there’s good news if you have second cousins!
What About Second Cousins?
In Idaho, marriage between second cousins is perfectly legal. Second cousins are people who share great-grandparents but not grandparents, so you’re good to go if you have one of those! Although marrying a second cousin might seem like a lot of family bonding, it’s allowed under Idaho’s laws.
While Idaho law doesn’t allow first cousins to marry, second cousins are fair game. If you were planning to marry a first cousin in Idaho, unfortunately, that’s not allowed, but you do have the option to legally marry second cousins.
It’s definitely one of those quirky things I learned while planning my wedding—and I’m glad I did my research!
