I would like to know the best way to go about marrying my
stepbrother.We never lived together and there is no consanguous
between our families. we have a child together.  We live in Tennessee
and the Laws have not changed.  Could you find out what states would
allow this marriage.  I suppose i could becomes disowned then we could
get married in Tennessee. Thanks for answering this question.  Also if
you could find site with details about private wedding in anhy of the
states. Thanks
stepbrother is the most wonderful guy I have ever known.  I have known
him for 12 years

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 06 Jun 2005 05:21 PDT

I researched this, then just before posting the Answer, I realized you
may be underage.  How old are you?  How old is your step-brother?  If
it is legal for you to marry in Tennessee, do you want to get married
there, or do you want other options?

~~Cynthia

---

Clarification of Question by stupid1234-ga on 06 Jun 2005 17:36 PDT

We are both of age.  We would like to get married in Tennessee.  Thanks

Hi stupid1234,

Tennessee doesn't have any statutes governing step-siblings getting
married. If they did, they have been repealed. The reason for this is,
they (you) are not related by blood.

Here's a page showing the Tennessee Code that covers this:

Tennessee Code Annotated ?36-3-101. Prohibited degrees of relationship? states: 

CAN A MARRIAGE LICENSE BE ISSUED TO RELATIVES? 
http://www.rutherfordcounty.org/countyclerk/marriage_license.htm#relatives
..."Marriage cannot be contracted with a lineal ancestor or
descendant, nor the lineal ancestor or descendant of either parent,
nor the child of a grandparent, nor the lineal descendants of husband
or wife, as the case may be, nor the husband or wife of a parent or
lineal descendant..."


Here's a chart Tennessee uses to determine if siblings can marry:
http://www.hamiltontn.gov/Courts/ClerkMaster/charts/CHART%20-%20Akers%20Chart%20for%20Degre

es%20of%20Kinship%20in%20Tennessee.pdf
Note, step-siblings are not on the chart.


The County Clerk in your county can be located here:
http://www.weddingvendors.com/marriage-license-laws/united-states/tennessee/
Call for the hours they are open. This page also details many of the
other requirements.

None of the requirements are difficult, another page:
http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/tennessee/index.shtml

1) ID Requirement:  Valid Driver's License or Certified Birth
Certificate or Valid Passport.

2) Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Tennessee.

3) If previously married: A copy of Divorce Decree.

4) Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in
person at the time of applying.

5) Fees: $95 unless you receive 4 hours of marriage counseling. If
your county approves your counselour and your completed session, you
will be given a $60 discount. If your session is not approved by
either the counselor or county, you must pay $95 instead of $35.

6) Waiting Period: No waiting period. 3 Days if either applicant is under 18.

7) Blood Tests: No blood test requirement.


I would like to help you find a Minister, since you asked in your
original Question about details for a private wedding. In order to
Answer that portion, I need the city and county in Tennessee in which
you reside.. Also, are you interested in just getting married at the
courthouse? If so, I can provide those details.


I look forward to your clarification...


~~Cynthia


Search strategy used at Google, variations of:
marriage tennessee "prohibited rela

While it reeks of incest, such a relationship is legal in some
(perhaps most US states). It's spelled 'sanguineus'. Compare
'consanguineus'.

Actually, it's spelled consanguineous
(http://www.answers.com/consanguineous&r=67)  And if they share no
blood line, then it is not incest.  If they grew up together in the
same household (which they didn't), then it may seem incestuous, but
still technically isn't.  Look at it this way - if two people got
married, then the father of one met the mother of the other and
married her - would their marriage then be incestuous?