No, it is not illegal to marry your first cousin in New Mexico.
State Marriage Statutes
New Mexico statutes explicitly prohibit incestuous marriages between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings (full or half-blood), uncles and nieces, and aunts and nephews, declaring them void under N.M. Stat. § 40-1-7.
First cousins are not listed among these prohibited relationships, making such marriages fully legal statewide. This permissive stance aligns with 17 other U.S. states that allow first-cousin unions without restriction.
Application Process
Couples must apply in person for a marriage license at a county clerk’s office, where relation may be asked, but first-cousin status does not disqualify them. General requirements include being at least 18 (or 16 with parental consent), not currently married, and providing ID. No blood tests or waiting periods apply.
Recognition Across States
A New Mexico first-cousin marriage is valid within the state, even if the couple resides elsewhere or hails from a state banning such unions. However, home states may not recognize it—Texas, for example, voids cousin marriages performed out-of-state. Couples should verify interstate implications before proceeding.
Additional Considerations
Second cousins and more distant relations face no barriers. No genetic counseling is mandated, though health risks from consanguinity are noted in broader discussions. Local clerks follow uniform state law without additional hurdles as of 2026.
SOURCES :
- https://collincountymagazine.com/2025/07/08/is-it-illegal-to-marry-your-cousin-in-new-mexico-heres-what-the-law-says/
- https://www.ulc.org/wedding-laws/new-mexico
