Can you legally marry your cousin in Australia?

Although it may not be palatable for some, did you know it is legal to marry your first cousin in many states in Australia? “According to the Marriage Act of 1961 [cousins] can marry,” Genealogy SA’s Beryl Schahinger told ABC Radio Adelaide’s Afternoons program.

Can you have a baby with your cousin Australia?

Across Australia, cousins are having relationships, marrying and having children together. It is legal but remains a taboo for many people.

Are second cousins allowed to marry in Australia?

The Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961 for Marriage Celebrants states, “An uncle may marry his niece and an aunt may marry her nephew” and ” Cousins may marry each other”. Under Australian law it’s illegal for a man to marry his grandmother, mother, sister or half-sister, daughter or granddaughter.

Is it dangerous for cousins to marry?

They say there is no biological reason to discourage cousins from marrying. First cousins are somewhat more likely than unrelated parents to have a child with a serious birth defect, mental retardation or genetic disease, but their increased risk is nowhere near as large as most people think, the scientists said.

Is it illegal to sleep with your cousin in Australia?

And because marriage implies consummation, and there is no other law that prohibits this, what we can conclude is that sex between cousins is also completely fine here in Australia. It’s worth noting that this law also doesn’t prevent sexual relationships or marriage between aunts, uncles, nieces or nephews.

Where can I marry my cousin?

Summary

State First cousin marriage allowed First-cousin-once-removed marriage allowed
Alaska No Yes
Arizona Only if both parties are 65 or older, or one is infertile Yes
Arkansas No Yes
California Yes Yes

Is it legal to marry your first cousin in Australia?

The Marriage Act specifies which relationships are prohibited. ( Although it may not be palatable for some, did you know it is legal to marry your first cousin in many states in Australia? “According to the Marriage Act of 1961 [cousins] can marry,” Genealogy SA’s Beryl Schahinger told ABC Radio Adelaide ‘s Afternoons program.

Why do people want to marry their cousin?

The reasons Hiba is given for cousin marriage include the cultural – marrying within the same caste; the familial – making family the first priority, ahead of even a person’s own preferences and desires; and the pecuniary – keeping property and money within the family.

How old do you have to be to marry your first cousin?

The Act also states the minimum age for marriage is 18, though a judge may allow one partner to be 16 or older due to “exceptional circumstances”. Ms Schahinger said it was not unusual for removed cousins to learn of their common genetic link during the marriage process.

What do you have to do to get married in Australia?

In Australia, marriage is a legal process that provides a couple with certain legal rights. For this reason, you must follow specific steps in order to get married including filling out forms, and getting an authorised person to officially marry you.