Marrying your first cousin is currently legal in Tennessee, but a new state law is moving toward banning it. As of early 2026, Tennessee still allows first‑cousin marriages without age or fertility restrictions, meaning two first cousins can obtain a license and marry under the same rules as any other couple.
Tennessee’s current cousin‑marriage rule
Tennessee is one of about 19 U.S. states that lets first cousins marry without conditions such as age limits or medical certification. State law centers its “prohibited degrees” on closer relatives (like siblings, parents, children, or grandparents), not first cousins, so cousin marriages are not treated as incestuous under the current statute.
As long as both parties meet standard requirements—age, not already married, not in a prohibited degree—they can lawfully marry a first cousin in Tennessee.
The proposed ban and recent developments
In 2024, the Tennessee legislature passed a bill that would ban marriages between “lineal descendants of a grandparent,” which effectively targets first‑cousin unions. The bill fixed what lawmakers called a historical loophole in an 1829 law and was sent to the governor; if fully implemented, it would make first‑cousin marriage illegal going forward.
For now, reports indicate the ban is either newly in effect or about to take effect, so prospective couples should check the latest Tennessee‑Code‑or‑county‑license‑office guidance before planning a wedding.
Practical implications for couples
If you marry your cousin before the ban fully takes hold, existing licenses and marriages are generally shielded from being invalidated simply because of the relationship. However, after the new law is in force, any new first‑cousin marriage would no longer be recognized as valid in Tennessee, and attempts to obtain a license could be denied.
Because rules can change rapidly, couples considering this step should verify the current status with the county clerk’s office or a local family‑law attorney before applying for a marriage license.
SOURCES :
- https://theamm.org/articles/2046-if-you-want-to-marry-your-cousin-in-tennessee-you-d-better-do-it-fast
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
