No, it is not illegal to marry your cousin in Alabama. First‑cousin marriage is explicitly allowed under Alabama law, and the state does not treat such marriages as incest.
What Alabama’s law allows
Alabama permits marriage between first cousins, as well as other more distant cousin relationships (such as first cousins once‑removed or half‑cousins), without special restrictions. These unions are treated the same as any other marriage for license and registration purposes, and no genetic counseling or extra approval is required by statute.
Relationships that are illegal
Alabama does prohibit marriage between much closer relatives, including:
- Parents and children
- Siblings (including half‑siblings)
- Uncles/aunts with nieces/nephews
- Grandparents with grandchildren
- Stepparents and stepchildren, if the marriage created the step‑relationship.
These closer‑kin marriages are considered incestuous and are void under Alabama law, regardless of where the couple lives.
Age, consent, and other basic rules
Even though cousin marriage is legal, Alabama’s general marriage rules still apply:
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old without parental consent; minors generally need parental approval and court‑approved exceptions.
- Neither person can already be legally married (no bigamy).
- The marriage must be consensual and free of fraud or coercion.
How Alabama compares to other states
Alabama is one of about 17 states where first‑cousin marriage is fully legal and unrestricted. Many other states ban first‑cousin marriage or allow it only under narrow conditions (such as age limits or proof of infertility), which makes Alabama relatively permissive on this issue.
SOURCES :
- https://www.worldlawdigest.com/usa/is-cousin-marriage-legal-in-alabama
- https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/family-law/alabama/
