Yes, it is against the law in Iowa to marry your first cousin. Iowa law explicitly prohibits marriages between first cousins, making such unions void under state law.
What the Law Says
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Iowa Code Section 595.19 lists prohibited marriages, including those “between first cousins.” This means that first cousins are not legally allowed to marry in Iowa.
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There are no exceptions or special circumstances under Iowa law that permit first cousins to marry—this is a blanket ban.
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The law does allow for marriage between more distant relatives, such as first cousins once removed or second cousins.
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Additional Details
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While first cousins cannot marry, Iowa law does not prohibit first cousins from cohabiting or having a relationship; the restriction applies specifically to marriage.
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Marriages between first cousins conducted in other states where such unions are legal may not be recognized in Iowa, but the law is not explicit on this point.
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Table
| Relationship | Marriage Legal in Iowa? |
|---|---|
| First cousins | No |
| First cousins once removed | Yes |
| Second cousins and beyond | Yes |
Marrying your first cousin is illegal in Iowa, and such marriages are considered void under state law.
Sources
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage_law_in_the_United_States
[2] https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/title-xv/chapter-595/section-595-19/
[3] https://www.insideedition.com/gallery/kissing-cousins-states-where-marrying-your-relative-legal-48234
[4] https://dataminingdna.com/can-first-cousins-marry-in-iowa/
[5] https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2014/title-xv/subtitle-1/chapter-595/section-595.19
