In Kansas, it is illegal to marry your first cousin. The state’s laws are very clear about this, explicitly prohibiting marriages between first cousins, along with other close family relationships. If two people marry in Kansas and are first cousins, their marriage is considered incestuous and void from the start.
What the Law Says
Kansas law, specifically Kansas Statutes Annotated 23-2503, lays out the rules concerning prohibited marriages. According to the statute:
“All marriages between parents and children, including grandparents and grandchildren of any degree, between brothers and sisters of the one-half as well as the whole blood, and between uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews, and first cousins, are declared to be incestuous and absolutely void.”
This means that marriages between first cousins are treated as incestuous in Kansas and are not legally valid. The marriage is considered void from the moment it is performed and will not be recognized under any circumstances within the state.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Kansas law is strict in this regard, and there are no exceptions for first cousins. Unlike some other states that might allow cousin marriages under special conditions (like if the couple is of a certain age or cannot have children), Kansas does not allow any such exceptions.
What About Marriages Performed in Other States?
If a couple gets married in a state where cousin marriage is legal (such as Missouri), Kansas may recognize the marriage as legally valid. However, the marriage cannot be performed within Kansas itself, as Kansas law prohibits such marriages within its jurisdiction.
Which Relationships Are Prohibited?
Kansas law bans marriage between the following relationships:
Parents and children (including grandparents and grandchildren)
Siblings (including half-siblings)
Uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews
First cousins
These relationships are considered incestuous and not legally valid in the state.
Sources:
1. https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/is-out-of-state-cousin-marriage-legal-valid-in-the-4300263.html
2. https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch23/023_025_0003.html
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
4. https://cardozolawreview.com/the-unconstitutionality-of-state-bans-on-marriage-between-first-cousins/
