In the state of Florida, the legality of marriages between cousins is explicitly addressed by state statutes. According to Section 741.21 of the Florida Statutes, certain marriages are prohibited due to the close blood relationship between the parties. Specifically, the statute states:
“A man may not marry any woman to whom he is related by lineal consanguinity, nor his sister, nor his aunt, nor his niece. A woman may not marry any man to whom she is related by lineal consanguinity, nor her brother, nor her uncle, nor her nephew.”
Lineal consanguinity refers to a direct bloodline, such as between parent and child or grandparent and grandchild. The statute also prohibits marriages between siblings, uncles and nieces, and aunts and nephews. Notably, the law does not mention first cousins, implying that marriages between first cousins are permissible under Florida law…