Recently, I had a consultation with a man who wanted to annul his marriage after realizing he had married his first cousin. This situation made me remember how important it is for lawyers to look up laws, even the ones we might have memorized during our studies.
In family law, especially, the rules can change, and it’s essential to research and make sure we know the current law.
Now, you might be wondering: is it legal to marry your cousin in Georgia? Some people joke about it, but you might be surprised by the answer.
Is It Illegal to Marry Your Cousin in Georgia?
In Georgia, it’s not illegal to marry your first cousin. While many people assume it’s against the law, that’s not the case. In fact, Georgia law does not prohibit marriages between cousins.
However, there are laws in place that do ban certain types of marriages. According to O.C.G.A. § 19-3-3, Georgia law forbids marriage in the following situations:
A father and daughter (or stepdaughter)
A mother and son (or stepson)
A brother and sister (whether of whole or half-blood)
A grandparent and grandchild
An aunt and nephew
An uncle and niece
As you can see, cousins are not listed among these restrictions. So, if you’re in Georgia, you can legally marry your first cousin.
What Happens if You Married Your First Cousin?
If you have already married your first cousin, the marriage is valid under Georgia law. If you’re looking to end the marriage, you would need to file for divorce, not annulment.
An annulment is for situations where the marriage is considered invalid from the start, and marrying your first cousin in Georgia is perfectly legal.
So, despite all the jokes you might hear, it is actually legal to marry your first cousin in Georgia. If you ever have doubts or questions about your family law situation, it’s always a good idea to consult with a family law attorney to get accurate and up-to-date advice.
