How close a relative can you legally marry

Although it may not be palatable for some, did you know it is legal to marry your first cousin in many states in Australia? Currently, the Act states marriage is "the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life".

The Federal Government announced this week that it would gauge public sentiment on same-sex marriage via a voluntary postal plebiscite. 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. Although common in centuries gone by, inter-family marriage creates enormous genetic stress, Professor David Thorburn of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute said.

Professor Thorburn said this meant married relatives had a slightly lifted risk of having a child with a congenital or inherited disorder. Around one-quarter of the variable material is shared between uncles, aunties, nieces and nephews. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.

The Act, last amended on October 21, , states: For example, many cultures encourage first cousin marriage to strengthen familial relationships. In the United States, second cousins are legally allowed to marry in every state.

However, marriage between first cousins is legal in only about half of the American states. Any couple worried about genetic risk to their children should meet with a genetic counselor. They can provide a more accurate risk estimate based on your situation and can discuss if there is any testing available. By Tiffany Nguyen , Stanford University. Parents who are first cousins Parents who are first cousins once removed Parents who are second cousins.

Bennett, RL et al. The Tech Interactive S. Market St. San Jose, CA The Tech is a registered c 3. Federal ID Its content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of Stanford University or the Department of Genetics.

The Tech Interactive. Back to Relatedness. Can you marry a second cousin? Under the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act , a foreign divorce will only be recognised in Ireland if at least one spouse was domiciled in the state that granted the divorce when the proceedings started. You may have to provide good evidence that this was the case and, therefore, that the divorce is valid under Irish law.

Where the divorce comes within EU regulations, it is sufficient to confirm that both parties to the divorce were notified of the proceedings and had an opportunity to give evidence to the court which granted the divorce. Where EU regulations do not apply, certain information as to place of birth, countries of residence and other relevant facts must be supplied on a questionnaire provided by the Registrar.

The information is then forwarded to the General Register Office , whose consent is required before the marriage ceremony can take place. If the General Registrar is of the opinion that the foreign divorce is valid, then the new marriage can go ahead. If not, you can provide additional information to prove validity or else you can apply for a hearing before the Circuit Court. The court's decision on the validity of a foreign divorce in Irish law is final and binding, although you may appeal to a higher court.

If the court decides that your foreign divorce is not binding, your only option if you wish to remarry in Ireland may be to get a divorce under Irish law. If a legal dissolution of a civil partnership is granted outside Ireland, it will be recognised under Irish law if the Minister of Justice and Equality has made an order recognising the appropriate class of legal relationship in the country in which the dissolution was granted.

Prohibitions apply to marriage between certain people related by blood or marriage. A couple who fall within the prohibited degrees of relationship cannot marry.

These prohibitions are based on:. The prohibited degrees apply to a wide range of family relationships and include marital and non-marital offspring. An adopted child is within the prohibited degrees in relation to its natural family and adoptive parents.

However, it would appear an adopted child can marry the child of their adoptive parents. You can marry your deceased spouse's sister or brother.

This also applies if your marriage ends due to a divorce rather than a death. You can find more about the different legal ways of getting married in Ireland and the notification requirements for marriage. If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 07 Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.