Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Utah under specific conditions, as the state permits first-cousin unions but imposes strict genetic and procedural safeguards. The Utah Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Records enforces these rules, aligning with 2023 legislative clarifications that codified genetic counseling requirements for applicants under 50. Violations trigger administrative penalties under Utah Admin. Code R426-2-15.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Utah
- Genetic Counseling Mandate: Applicants under 50 must submit proof of genetic counseling from a licensed provider, per Utah Code § 30-1-4(2)(b), effective January 2024. Counseling must address hereditary risk factors for offspring.
- Age-Based Restrictions: First cousins aged 65+ face no additional requirements, while those 50–64 must opt for counseling but are not strictly bound by its recommendations.
- Prohibited Degrees: Marriages between double first cousins or closer lineal relatives (e.g., siblings) remain illegal, enforced via Utah’s marriage license validation system, which cross-references birth certificates.
Local clerks in Salt Lake, Utah, and Davis Counties rigorously verify compliance, with denials appealable to the 3rd District Court within 30 days. Non-residents must comply with Utah’s standards or risk license invalidation under the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act’s reciprocity clauses.