First Cousins Can Still Marry in Florida After Bill Fails

First cousins can still legally marry in Florida after a bill that would have banned the practice failed to pass the state's House of Representatives. Lawmakers say the measure will return next session.

How the Bill Died

State Rep. Dean Black attached the cousin marriage ban to a broader Department of Health bill, a strategy that initially appeared to be working. The measure drew no pushback during deliberations and seemed on track to pass.

But gridlock over unrelated provisions on the final day of the legislative session brought the entire health bill to a standstill. When the session's deadline expired, the health bill — and the marriage ban tucked inside it — died with it.

Lawmakers Vow to Try Again

Black made clear the issue is not going away. He told Action News Jax that the ban would return in the next legislative session, either as a standalone bill or attached to separate legislation.

"I think we need to do the right thing for Floridians here," he said. "There are plenty of people here, and there are plenty of people you can find to be your lifelong partner without looking to your first cousin."

Had the bill passed, it would have taken effect July 1, 2026, after which Florida would no longer have recognized cousin marriages for any legal purpose.

Where Florida Stands Nationally

Florida is one of 18 states where marrying a first cousin carries no legal restrictions. New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California are among the others.

Some states allow cousin marriage under limited circumstances, such as when one partner is unable to have children. Thirty-two states have outright bans on the practice.

The legal landscape has been shifting. Connecticut became the most recent state to prohibit cousin marriages, enacting its ban in October of last year.

A Practice With Deep Historical Roots

Cousin marriage was once widely accepted across the United States. During the Civil War era, it was legal in all 34 states at the time.

Black acknowledged the historical context while arguing times have changed. "There was a time when I think first cousin marriages were allowed because population densities were not great, and it was hard to find a mate back when Florida was a wilderness," he said.

Medical research has long noted that children born to first cousins carry a moderately elevated risk of certain genetic conditions compared to the general population, a factor frequently cited by advocates for such bans.

What Comes Next

No timeline has been set for reintroducing the measure, but Black and fellow supporters have signaled it will be a priority when the legislature reconvenes. Whether it returns as a standalone bill or is again folded into broader legislation remains to be decided.

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