Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Iowa under specific conditions.
Iowa permits first-cousin marriage if both parties are at least 55 years old or if one partner is permanently sterile, per Iowa Code § 595.19. The state’s marriage laws align with the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act, reflecting a balance between traditional prohibitions and modern medical considerations. Local county recorders enforce these provisions, with no recent legislative shifts anticipated before 2026. Violations may result in voidable marriages, requiring judicial intervention for annulment.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Iowa
- Age or Sterility Requirement: First-cousin unions are lawful only if both spouses are 55+ or one is medically sterile (Iowa Code § 595.19).
- County-Level Validation: County recorders verify compliance during license issuance, though no statewide database tracks prohibited unions.
- Judicial Review: Marriages violating these terms are voidable, necessitating court petitions for dissolution under Iowa’s domestic relations statutes.
Local clerks in Polk, Linn, and Scott counties adhere to these rules, with no evidence of recent enforcement changes. Iowa’s approach contrasts with states like Illinois, which bans all cousin marriages, underscoring its nuanced regulatory framework.