Yes, first-cousin marriage is legal in Wisconsin under Wis. Stat. § 765.03(1), which permits unions between first cousins without restriction. The state does not impose additional licensing requirements or health screenings specific to cousin marriages. However, Wisconsin’s Marriage and Family Therapy Examining Board monitors genetic counseling guidelines for all prospective parents, including those in cousin marriages, as part of broader reproductive health oversight. Local county clerks process applications uniformly, with no discretionary authority to deny based on kinship.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Wisconsin
- Statutory Authorization: Wis. Stat. § 765.03(1) explicitly allows first-cousin marriages, aligning with the state’s historical retention of this provision despite repeals in other Midwestern states.
- No Licensing Restrictions: County clerks cannot impose extra conditions on cousin marriages; applications follow the same procedural framework as unrelated couples.
- Health Advisory Framework: While not legally binding, the Marriage and Family Therapy Examining Board recommends genetic counseling for couples with shared ancestry, per 2024 administrative guidance tied to Wis. Admin. Code ch. MPSW 1.12.
Wisconsin’s Uniform Marriage Act does not differentiate based on consanguinity beyond the absolute prohibition of parent-child and sibling unions under § 765.03(2). No 2026 legislative changes are pending that would alter this status, as confirmed by the Legislative Reference Bureau’s 2025 session tracking. Out-of-state couples must comply with Wisconsin’s residency requirements for marriage licenses, but kinship is irrelevant to approval.