Can cousins marry if one is adopted?
Question Details:
I have an adopted first cousin once removed (my ggrandmother's sister's adopted child). We are both in our late 40s. We recently ended up living in the same town and although we've known each other all of our lives we are now beginning to get very close, talking of a possible relationship and how that would effect our families, etc. I know ID law prohibits first cousins from marrying but does the law apply to adopted cousins or once removed cousins? We are trying to weigh consequences before this get any more serious.
I need to understand your relationship regardless of the adoption in the first instance. From what I understand he is the adopted son of your Great Aunt (your grandmother's sister). Am I correct? So he is you Mother's first cousin and your first cousin once removed. Am I still correct?
Indiana does not prohibit first cousin or first cousin once removed marriages, but rather from what I understand, only allows them if you are over 65 years old. The age has to do with child bearing issues and how that relates to "in breeding" for lack of a better term. But here there is no such issue as he is adopted, correct, but I don't think that it matters. I would seek legal help in your area as to your option. But really, there may not be any other than waiting it out.
