In Arkansas, it is illegal for first cousins to marry. This prohibition extends specifically to first cousins, while marriages between more distant relatives, such as first cousins once removed or second cousins, are permitted under state law.
This law reflects a broader trend in the United States, where marriage laws regarding cousins vary significantly from state to state.
In Arkansas, the restriction aligns with similar laws in several other states that also prohibit cousin marriages.
Sources:
- [1] https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/cousin-marriage-laws.html
- [2] http://public.gettysburg.edu/~dperry/Class–Methods/Cross-Cousins.pdf
- [3] https://dataminingdna.com/can-first-cousins-marry-in-arkansas/
