You will probably be aware that there are certain restrictions in place regarding who can and cannot marry, and this article will let you know whether you're in the clear, or in for heartache.
Contrary to popular belief, cousins can marry, but marriages between many other relatives (blood and step) and in-laws are forbidden. The list of these ‘Forbidden Degrees of Relationship' is quite long, but here goes….
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MALE FORBIDDEN DEGREES OF RELATIONSHIP |
FEMALE FORBIDDEN DEGREES OF RELATIONSHIP |
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Mother |
Father |
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Step-mother |
Step-father |
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Mother-in-law |
Father-in-law |
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Adoptive Mother |
Adoptive Father |
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Former Step-mother |
Former Step-father |
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Former Mother-in-law |
Former Father-in-law |
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Former Adoptive Mother |
Former Adoptive Father |
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Daughter |
Son |
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Step-daughter |
Step-son |
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Daughter-in-law |
Son-in-law |
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Adoptive Daughter |
Adoptive Son |
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Former Step-Daughter |
Former Step-Son |
|
Former Daughter-in-law |
Former Son-in-law |
|
Former Adoptive Daughter |
Former Adoptive Son |
|
Sister |
Brother |
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Step-Sister |
Step-Brother |
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Half-Sister |
Half-Brother |
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Grandmother |
Grandfather |
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Step-Grandmother |
Step-Grandfather |
|
Granddaughter |
Grandson |
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Step-Granddaughter |
Step-Grandson |
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Grandson’s Wife |
Granddaughter’s Husband |
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Aunt |
Uncle |
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Niece |
Nephew |
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Great-Grandmother (Scotland only) |
Great-Grandfather (Scotland only) |
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Great-Granddaughter (Scotland only) |
Great-Grandson (Scotland only) |
There may be certain additions and exceptions to the list, so if you do have any concerns, contact your local Register Office.
Age-wise, the minimum legal age for marriage in the UK is 16. No legal consent is required in Scotland (hence the popularity of marriages at Gretna Green), but elsewhere in the UK if you are under 18 (20 in Jersey) written parental or guardian consent (consent in person in Guernsey and Jersey) is required. Again, if you have any queries regarding this, you local Register Office should be able to advise accordingly.
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