No, it is not illegal to marry your first cousin in Massachusetts. The state explicitly permits first-cousin marriages, as they are not listed among prohibited familial relationships in the governing statutes.
Legal Basis
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 207, Sections 1 and 2 outline forbidden unions, such as those between parents/children, siblings, aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, but first cousins are fully allowed without conditions like age waivers or counseling.
State Context
Massachusetts is among 17 states where first-cousin marriage remains legal, including nearby New England states except one. Out-of-state cousin marriages are also recognized under comity principles unless they violate public policy like polygamy.
Related Notes
The law treats these unions as valid for all purposes, with no genetic testing required. Closer relations result in void marriages, but cousins face no such restrictions.
Sources:
- https://wjbq.com/ixp/701/p/is-it-illegal-to-marry-your-first-cousin-in-new-england/
- https://shark1053.com/ixp/701/p/is-it-illegal-to-marry-your-first-cousin-in-new-england/
