Yes, cousin marriage is legal in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2A:30-1, provided no other legal impediments exist. The state permits first-cousin unions without requiring genetic counseling or judicial approval, unlike jurisdictions with stricter statutes. However, marriages involving closer relatives (e.g., siblings) remain prohibited. New Jersey’s 2023 amendments to the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act reinforced this stance, aligning with public health data favoring limited restrictions. Local clerks verify age and capacity requirements but do not assess consanguinity beyond prohibited degrees.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in New Jersey
- Permissible Degrees: First-cousin marriages are lawful; second-cousin and more distant unions face no statutory barriers. The state’s definition of “prohibited degrees” excludes cousins under N.J.S.A. 2A:30-1.
- No Genetic Screening Mandates: Unlike states such as Iowa, New Jersey imposes no pre-marital genetic testing or counseling for cousin couples, per 2023 legislative updates.
- Age and Capacity Compliance: Applicants must meet New Jersey’s minimum age (18) and mental capacity standards; blood tests were abolished in 2005 under N.J.S.A. 37:1-48.