No, marrying your first cousin is not outright illegal in Maine, but it requires specific genetic counseling certification. Maine law permits it under strict conditions to address potential health risks.
Maine Statute Details
Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A, §701 prohibits marriages between close relatives like parents, siblings, or direct ancestors, but first cousins are allowed with proof of genetic counseling from a licensed physician or counselor.
The certificate must confirm counseling on risks like genetic disorders in offspring, and the state may still deny the license. Same-sex first-cousin couples also qualify without this step.
Nationwide Comparison
All eight New England states except New Hampshire allow first-cousin marriage—Maine with counseling, others unrestricted. Nationally, 18 states fully permit it, 24 ban it, and eight (including Maine) add conditions like age or sterility. New Hampshire voids such marriages performed elsewhere.
Genetic and Health Context
First-cousin unions raise offspring birth defect risks from 3-4% (general population) to 5-7%, due to shared genes. Counseling covers recessive conditions like cystic fibrosis, helping informed decisions. No criminal penalties exist in Maine for the marriage itself, unlike sexual relation bans in some states.
Practical Steps in Maine
Obtain counseling from a certified geneticist, submit the physician’s certificate with your marriage license application at a town clerk’s office, and pay standard fees (around $40 as of 2025). Out-of-state cousin marriages aren’t automatically recognized if lacking Maine’s certification. Consult Maine Vital Records or a family lawyer for forms.
SOURCES:
- https://wcyy.com/is-it-illegal-to-marry-your-first-cousin-in-maine/
- https://wjbq.com/can-new-englanders-marry-first-cousin/
