Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Wyoming under specific conditions. The state permits first-cousin unions but prohibits marriages between closer relatives, aligning with Wyoming Statutes §20-1-101. Local county clerks enforce these rules, and no 2026 legislative changes have altered this framework.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Wyoming
- Prohibited Degrees of Relationship: Marriages between siblings, parents/children, or half-siblings are void under Wyo. Stat. §20-1-101(a)(i). First cousins may marry, but second cousins or more distant relatives face no statutory restrictions.
- Age and Consent Requirements: Both parties must be at least 18 years old or meet emancipation criteria per Wyo. Stat. §20-1-102. Parental consent is mandatory for minors, enforced by county clerks during license issuance.
- Licensing and Validation: A marriage license issued by any Wyoming county clerk validates cousin marriages, provided no prohibited relationships exist. Clerks verify eligibility via sworn affidavits, per Wyo. Stat. §20-1-103.
Wyoming’s framework reflects a balance between cultural norms and statutory limits, with no recent judicial challenges altering the permissibility of first-cousin marriages. Compliance hinges on strict adherence to statutory definitions of prohibited relationships.