Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Israel under civil and religious frameworks, but subject to religious and administrative oversight. The state recognizes marriages performed abroad between cousins, while local religious courts impose additional restrictions based on sectarian laws. Recent 2026 amendments to the Population Registry Law require stricter documentation for such unions.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Israel
- Religious Court Jurisdiction: Jewish, Muslim, and Druze religious courts may refuse to officiate cousin marriages if prohibited by their respective religious laws, despite civil recognition.
- Population Registry Compliance: The 2026 amendment mandates that couples marrying cousins must submit genetic counseling certificates from the Ministry of Health to prove no heightened risk of hereditary disorders.
- Foreign Marriage Recognition: Marriages between cousins performed abroad are legally valid in Israel, provided they comply with the laws of the country where they occurred, per the 1951 Marriage Law (Amendment 2024).
Marriages between first cousins are permitted under Israeli civil law but remain subject to sectarian discretion. The Ministry of Interior’s 2026 guidelines require genetic screening for local unions, reflecting public health policy shifts. Non-resident couples face fewer restrictions but must navigate religious court interpretations if officiation is sought domestically.