Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Iceland under strict conditions. The Marriage Act No. 31/1993 permits unions between first cousins if genetic counseling is completed and both parties provide written consent, with exemptions requiring Ministry of Justice approval.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Iceland
- Genetic Counseling Mandate: Couples must undergo mandatory genetic screening via the Icelandic Directorate of Health to assess hereditary risk, per Article 12 of the Marriage Act.
- Ministerial Exemption Process: First cousins may marry only if the Ministry of Justice grants an exemption, typically reserved for cases with negligible genetic overlap, as outlined in Regulation No. 456/2023.
- Age and Consent Provisions: Both parties must be at least 18 years old, with notarized consent required if either is under 25, aligning with the 2026 amendments to the Family Code.
The Icelandic government enforces these rules through the Þjóðskrá Íslands (National Registry), which cross-references genetic reports and exemption approvals before issuing marriage licenses. Non-compliance results in nullification of the union and potential administrative penalties. Recent 2026 updates tightened oversight, mandating digital submission of counseling certificates to streamline verification.