In Alaska, it is not illegal to marry your cousin. The state allows close cousin relationships, including first cousins, to marry, as long as they do not fall within the narrow categories of “prohibited” blood relatives defined by law.
What Alaska’s Law Actually Says
Alaska’s marriage code, specifically Alaska Statutes §25.05.021, bans marriages that are “more closely related than the fourth degree of consanguinity” (blood relationship). That language comes from old civil‑law rules and is used to draw a line between very close relatives (such as siblings or parent–child) and more distant ones (such as cousins).
Under those rules:
- Siblings are at the second degree of consanguinity and are forbidden to marry.
- A parent and child are at the first degree and are also prohibited.
- First cousins are at the fourth degree, which means they are not “more closely related” than the fourth degree and therefore are allowed to marry.
Which Cousins Can Marry in Alaska?
Alaska’s law is broad enough that several types of cousins are legally permitted to marry, including:
- First cousins
- Second, third, and more distant cousins
- Some mixed or “half‑cousin” relationships, as long as the degree of relatedness stays at or beyond the fourth degree.
The key is that the couple must not be closer blood relatives than this cutoff. For example, half‑siblings or aunt–nephew/uncle–niece unions are closer than the fourth degree and are therefore banned.
What You Must Do to Get Married
Even though cousin marriage is legal, regular marriage‑license requirements still apply. Couples in Alaska must:
- Apply for a marriage license through the state’s vital‑records system.
- Declare on the application whether they are blood‑related (which first cousins are).
- Confirm that there is no legal impediment preventing the marriage, such as being too closely related under the fourth‑degree rule.
Checking the “blood‑related” box does not automatically block the marriage; it simply alerts the clerk that the couple are related, and the law then checks whether the relationship falls within the allowed range.
Social, Cultural, and Practical Considerations
Legally permitted does not always mean socially or medically uncontroversial. First‑cousin marriages can raise concerns about:
- Increased risk of certain inherited genetic conditions in children, especially if both partners carry the same recessive gene.
- Social or family‑dynamic issues, particularly in close‑knit communities.
Some Native communities in Alaska have their own cultural norms around cousin unions, even when the law allows them. In those settings, couples may be asked to marry outside the local village or to follow community‑specific customs, even though the state‑level prohibition does not apply.
Bottom Line for Couples in Alaska
If you are considering marrying a cousin in Alaska, the law itself is generally in your favor. First‑cousin and more distant‑cousin marriages are allowed, because they fall at or beyond the fourth degree of consanguinity that the statute protects against closer‑family unions. However, couples should:
- Review the current Alaska marriage statute and license‑application questions,
- Consider genetic counseling if planning children, and
- Be aware of any local or cultural expectations that may differ from the legal standard.
Sources
- (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States)
- (https://dataminingdna.com/can-first-cousins-marry-in-alaska/)
- (https://law.justia.com/codes/alaska/2011/title25/chapter25-05/sec-25-05-021)
