Can First Cousins Marry in USA? The Truth Behind the Laws and Myths

It's Complicated: The Legal Status Varies by State

Let’s get this out of the way: yes, first cousins can marry in some parts of the United States, but it totally depends on where you are. The U.S. doesn't have one single rule about cousin marriage—it’s a patchwork of laws, kind of like how weed is legal in one state and super illegal in the next.

In around 20 states, first-cousin marriage is legal without much fuss. But in others, it’s either banned completely or only allowed under specific circumstances (like if you’re over a certain age or can’t have kids).

States Where It’s Legal

States like California, New York, Florida, and Massachusetts? They’re chill with it. No medical testing or age limits—if you're into it, you're good to go.

States Where It’s Banned

Then you’ve got places like Kentucky, Texas, and West Virginia, where first cousin marriage is totally outlawed. No exceptions.

Conditional or Restricted States

Some states sit in the middle. For instance, Arizona lets first cousins marry if one of them is infertile. Illinois says you have to be over 50. Yeah, it’s weirdly specific.

Why All the Fuss? The Genetics of Cousin Marriage

So why are people even debating this? Most of the concern stems from genetics. People worry that first cousin couples might have kids with birth defects. But actually, the risk is much lower than most folks think.

A 2002 study showed that children of first cousins have about a 4–7% risk of birth defects, compared to the baseline 3–4% for unrelated couples. So yes, there’s an increase, but it’s not massive. (It’s kinda like the risk if you’re a woman having a baby after age 40.)

Cultural and Historical Context

It’s also important to remember: cousin marriage has been common in human history. Charles Darwin married his first cousin. So did Albert Einstein. In many parts of the world—like the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia—it’s still totally normal and even preferred in some communities.

Social Stigma: What Will People Say?

Ah, now here's the other big elephant in the room. Even if it's legal, the social reaction might be harsh. In the U.S., cousin marriage often gets raised eyebrows, side-eyes, and flat-out judgment. There's this deep-rooted cultural discomfort around it. Probably because of old-school religious beliefs or pop culture jokes.

But hey—what two consenting adults do is their business. Still, don’t be surprised if someone at Thanksgiving makes a comment.

Wait, Is There a Federal Law About This?

Nope. The U.S. federal government doesn’t have a law banning cousin marriage. It’s all decided at the state level. That means if it’s illegal in your state, you could (theoretically) drive to a neighboring state where it’s allowed, get married, and return home. But... be careful. Some states won’t recognize cousin marriages performed elsewhere.

Recognition Gets Messy

So let’s say you marry your cousin in California and move to Mississippi (where it’s banned). The state might refuse to legally recognize your marriage. That affects taxes, inheritance, and even health decisions.

So, Can You Marry Your First Cousin in the USA?

Here’s the bottom line: yes, in many states, but not all. It’s not as taboo—or as dangerous—as people think, but laws and attitudes vary wildly. If you're thinking about it seriously (hey, no judgment), check your state laws, consider the social vibes, and maybe even talk to a genetic counselor if you plan on having kids.

At the end of the day, it’s a legal, moral, and personal choice—just like any other kind of relationship. And if you’re still unsure, well... maybe don’t ask your grandma for advice on this one.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.