Freedom Charity · By Aneeta Prem MBE · Updated 24 October 2026
Can you marry your cousin
in the UK?
The legal position is straightforward. The questions about health, coercion and personal choice deserve equally clear answers.
The short answer: yes.
As at October 2026, marriage between first cousins remains legal in the UK. It is not included in the prohibited degrees of relationship. Forced marriage is a different matter: consent must be freely given, and coercion or child marriage raises serious legal and safeguarding concerns.
01 / The legal position
Legal does not mean free from scrutiny.
First cousins are the children of two siblings. They share grandparents. UK marriage law lists certain close family relationships in which marriage is prohibited. First cousins do not appear on that list.
In July 2026, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that restrictions on first-cousin marriage would require changes to the Marriage Act 1949, and potentially the Sexual Offences Act 2003. In September 2026, ministers said they were considering options for addressing the issue. Those statements do not themselves change the law.
Freedom Charity believes Parliament should examine reform openly and with evidence. That is a campaign position, not a description of an existing ban.
Legal sources: Ministry of Justice, 14 July 2026 and Home Office/FCDO forced marriage resource pack.
02 / The evidence
What does the research tell us?
When parents are related, there is a greater chance that they carry the same recessive gene variant. This can increase the risk of certain inherited conditions in their children. It does not mean that every child of first-cousin parents will have a health condition.
The major UK Born in Bradford research programme found an increased risk of congenital anomalies among children of first-cousin couples. The research matters because it allows an honest conversation about risk rather than fear or stigma.
What does the NHS say? NHS genetics services recognise the increased risk associated with first-cousin parentage. Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine explains that the chance of a child having a birth defect or disability is around 2–3% for unrelated parents and 5–6% for first-cousin parents. Risk varies by family, and most children are unaffected. Read the NHS genetics explanation.
In a 26 January 2026 parliamentary answer, the Department of Health and Social Care described Born in Bradford as the most definitive UK evidence and noted that the recorded risk approximately doubled from 3% to 6%. On 2 March 2026, the Department confirmed that inappropriate training materials concerning cousin marriage had been retired in 2025. It said patients could be referred to genetics services to understand the risks and make informed decisions.
Freedom Charity agrees with the need for accurate information, awareness of genetic risks and access to counselling. Freedom also advocates legal reform; that is our position, not a claim that the NHS is calling for a ban.
Families who want personalised advice should speak to an appropriate health professional about genetic counselling and testing where clinically indicated.
Born in Bradford · Research findings
Understanding the figures
These are figures reported for the study cohort; they are not a prediction for an individual family. The study also examined other factors affecting outcomes.
From Aneeta Prem MBE
“First cousin marriage is not just a cultural tradition – it is a safeguarding risk.”
Aneeta Prem MBE · As quoted in the Daily Mail, 29 September 2025
03 / Rights and safeguarding
The question that matters: can someone say no?
Cousin marriage is not automatically forced marriage. Consensual marriages between adult cousins must not be confused with coercion. But when a young person is told they must marry a family member, cannot refuse, faces threats or is taken abroad for a ceremony they do not want, that is a serious safeguarding concern.
Is the person free to decline the marriage or change their mind without threats, intimidation, isolation or financial pressure?
In England and Wales, conduct intended to cause someone under 18 to marry can be criminal even without proof of threats or coercion, including arrangements for non-legally binding ceremonies.
If a child or adult may be at risk, follow safeguarding procedures. Do not approach family members or arrange mediation without specialist advice where that could increase danger.
These concerns may overlap with forced marriage and Dishonour Abuse, where family reputation is used to justify control. The risk arises from coercive behaviour, not ethnicity, religion or a surname.
For immediate danger, call 999. For specialist UK support, see the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit or Freedom Charity’s helpline.
A real Freedom Charity case · Five stages
What it cost her to say no.
She wanted to finish her education. Her family had planned a marriage to her first cousin. This is what happened when she asked for help.
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The invitation
She was 18 and looking ahead to completing her education. Before a family trip, she discovered that a marriage had been arranged for her. The intended husband was her first cousin. Nobody had asked for her consent.
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The future she wanted
Her family expected her to marry and have children. She wanted to finish her education and go to university. She also had concerns about the health of any future children. Nobody had given her a meaningful choice.
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One call for help
Before travelling, she contacted Freedom Charity. Her disclosure was treated confidentially. We did not approach her family. We helped obtain a Forced Marriage Protection Order to prevent the marriage being imposed on her.
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The cost of saying no
The threats did not stop with the court order. She could not safely remain at home. At 18, she was homeless, without money or possessions.
She left with only the clothes she was wearing.
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Protecting her future
Freedom paid for essential protective measures while the threats continued. The court order mattered, but she also needed practical help. Escaping a forced marriage can mean rebuilding a life from almost nothing.
Why this matters
The court order was only part of her escape.
Freedom’s intervention helped protect this young woman from a forced marriage. But threats, homelessness and the loss of everything familiar did not disappear with a court order.
Young people need someone to act — and support when they have nowhere safe to go.
What your support makes possible
A confidential first contactHelping young people reach specialist safeguarding advice before danger escalates.
Action when someone is at riskSupporting safe responses and access to appropriate legal protection.
Practical help and preventionResponding to urgent needs and educating young people and professionals.
Help turn one chance into safety
Help keep that one chance open.
Your support helps Freedom provide confidential safeguarding help, respond when a young person is at risk, and deliver prevention education. We can develop a costed project and agree meaningful reporting with trusts, companies and major donors.
This account is anonymised. Identifying family details and protective arrangements are withheld for the young woman’s safety. It illustrates forced marriage and coercion; it does not imply that all cousin marriages are forced marriages.
04 / Freedom Charity’s position
A public debate must put rights first.
I believe the UK should legislate to prohibit first-cousin marriage. At the same time, we must make sure any reform is evidence-led, respects individual dignity and gives professionals clear routes to protect people facing coercion.
- Examine legal reform. Parliament should debate whether first-cousin marriage belongs among prohibited relationships, with clear consideration of rights and practical enforcement.
- Improve genetics information. Make accurate advice, accessible counselling and appropriate testing available without stigma or pressure.
- Identify coercion. Train professionals to recognise controlling behaviour and respond to evidence of forced marriage, not assume that a family relationship alone proves abuse.
- Support young people. Give schools, health services and safeguarding teams confidence to ask safe, sensitive questions and act on disclosures.
- Publish reliable evidence. Improve the quality of public information and commission research where gaps remain, rather than repeating unsupported statistics.
- Listen to survivors. Policy must be shaped by people whose choices have been taken from them and informed by practitioners supporting them.
This section sets out Aneeta Prem MBE’s campaign position. It is distinct from the current law and from the findings of any individual medical study.
05 / News & public record
From research to the national conversation.
This debate has been covered by national newspapers, discussed on television and raised in Parliament. What matters is keeping the medical evidence, the law and the experience of people facing coercion in clear view.
Daily Mail · 29 September 2025
Freedom’s safeguarding warning in print
In James Tozer’s report, Experts demand action on ‘risky’ NHS report which backs first-cousin marriage, Aneeta Prem MBE was quoted on the risks of coercion and the need to protect young people who cannot freely refuse a marriage.
See Aneeta Prem’s verified press archive →
Original printed clipping preserved in the author’s media archive.
GB News · Television interview
Aneeta Prem on the debate
Freedom Charity founder Aneeta Prem MBE has discussed first-cousin marriage, safeguarding and the right to refuse marriage in a GB News television interview.
Freedom Charity media centre →
Recording not currently linked.
The BMJ · 1 October 2025
What happened to the NHS article?
An NHS England Genomics Education Programme blog published in September 2025 referred to possible social and economic benefits of first-cousin marriage. Following criticism, NHS England removed it and said it was a mistaken publication, not official guidance or advice to clinicians.
The withdrawal of the blog does not mean the NHS disputes the genetic risk evidence.
UK Parliament · 20 June 2013
Freedom’s longstanding evidence on forced marriage
More than a decade before this debate, Aneeta Prem gave oral evidence to a House of Commons Public Bill Committee about forced marriage, prevention and the need to recognise control, money, immigration pressures and safeguarding risks.
The evidence concerned forced marriage generally, not a claim that every cousin marriage is forced.
Freedom’s position: people should be able to say no to a marriage without intimidation, and families should receive accurate genetic information. Aneeta Prem advocates legal reform of first-cousin marriage. This remains a campaign position, distinct from NHS clinical advice.
For journalists: Freedom Charity can provide comment on safeguarding, forced marriage, Dishonour Abuse, young people’s freedom to choose and the practical response of schools and services.
06 / Your questions
Frequently asked questions
Can you legally marry your first cousin in the UK?
Yes. As at October 2026, first cousins can marry in the UK, subject to the usual requirements for a valid marriage, including consent and the rules on minimum age.
Can you marry your first cousin in Scotland?
Yes. First cousins are not among the prohibited family relationships listed in Scottish marriage law. Marriage-age rules differ across the UK: Scotland generally permits marriage from 16, while England and Wales require both people to be 18 or older. A 16- or 17-year-old who lives in England or Wales cannot use a Scottish ceremony to avoid that restriction. Scottish Government marriage guidance.
Is cousin marriage the same as forced marriage?
No. Being related does not, on its own, mean a marriage is forced. A forced marriage involves the absence of free and full consent or coercion; special rules apply to children and people who cannot consent.
Does first-cousin marriage always cause genetic problems?
No. Research shows an increased risk of certain congenital anomalies on average, but outcomes differ between families. A clinician or genetics service can explain personal circumstances and available support.
Has the UK Government banned cousin marriage in 2026?
No. As at 24 October 2026, the law has not been changed to prohibit marriage between first cousins. Ministers have acknowledged concerns and said options are being considered.
What if someone is being pressured to marry a cousin?
Take the concern seriously and seek confidential specialist safeguarding advice. A threat, planned overseas trip, confiscation of documents or inability to refuse may require urgent support. Do not assume mediation is safe. In immediate danger call 999; otherwise contact Freedom Charity confidentially for guidance.
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Aneeta Prem MBE
Founder of Freedom Charity · Author and safeguarding campaigner. Read the biography.
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Freedom Charity works on forced marriage, FGM, Dishonour Abuse and prevention. Journalists, programme makers, conference organisers and policymakers can request informed comment or discuss an interview with Aneeta Prem MBE.
Sources & further reading
The evidence.
Original law, research and parliamentary records, gathered in one place.
Reviewed 24 October 2026 · Public information and commentary, not individual legal or medical advice.