Connecticut to ban first-cousin marriages, becoming 26th state to outlaw the practice

Connecticut will ban marriages between first cousins, with the measure taking effect Oct. 1 and making the state the 26th in the nation to outlaw the practice. The plan won bipartisan support in a Legislature that leans Democratic, passing earlier this year as lawmakers sought to close a gap in state family law. Under the proposed change, marriages between first cousins would be prohibited, extending the state's prohibitions on closer relatives to include this relationship.

The bill would specify that no person may knowingly marry a first cousin. The move comes after Rep. Devin Carney, a Republican representing Old Saybrook, said he learned that Tennessee had banned cousin marriages and Connecticut did not have a full ban. He said the state should follow the trend and address the science indicating higher risks of birth defects when first cousins procreate. Co-sponsor Rep. Steve Stafstrom, a Democrat from Bridgeport, said the measure reflects a public interest in protecting families and that it does not go back to punish marriages that occurred under the old law.

Connecticut will join 25 states that already have total bans on first-cousin marriages. In New England, CT and New Hampshire prohibit the practice outright, while Maine has more permissive rules that require genetic counseling in some cases. Other states outside New England permit cousin marriages under various conditions, such as age or infertility requirements. The national landscape reflects a patchwork of approaches, with bans concentrated in certain regions and more limited restrictions in others.

Historically, cousin marriage was legal in all 34 states before the Civil War; today at least 16 states prohibit it outright. The shifting legal landscape mirrors ongoing debates about family law and public health as officials weigh cultural traditions, scientific risk, and individual rights. Proponents of bans often cite research from medical libraries and journals that point to higher rates of birth defects, genetic disorders, and neonatal complications when first cousins reproduce. Opponents argue that bans encroach on personal autonomy and that enforcement challenges could arise, particularly for couples who marry abroad or in jurisdictions with different rules.

Officials emphasize that the legislation is not retroactive, and supporters note that it aims to prevent future unions that involve first cousins rather than penalize marriages that occurred under previous law. The measure’s passage in a politically polarized climate highlights a shared interest in clarifying state policy on a long-standing familial issue. As Oct. 1 approaches, officials in Hartford say the change will require administrative updates and public education to ensure residents understand the new prohibition and its implications for marriage licensing and processing.