Marginal note:Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act.

Marginal note:No prohibition

• 2 (1) Subject to subsection (2), persons related by consanguinity, affinity or adoption are not prohibited from marrying each other by reason only of their relationship.

• Marginal note:Prohibition

  (2) No person shall marry another person if they are related

  • (a) lineally by consanguinity or adoption;

  • (b) as brother and sister by consanguinity, whether by the whole blood or by the half-blood; or

  • (c) as brother and sister by adoption.

Marginal note:Marriage not invalid

• 3 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a marriage between persons related by consanguinity, affinity or adoption is not invalid by reason only of their relationship.

• Marginal note:Marriage void

  (2) A marriage between persons who are related in the manner described in paragraph 2(2)(a), (b) or (c) is void.

Marginal note:Complete code

4 This Act contains all of the prohibitions in law in Canada against marriage by reason of the parties being related.

5 [Repeal]

Marginal note:Commencement

Footnote ^*6 This Act shall come into force on the day that is one year after the day it is assented to, or on such earlier day in any province as may be fixed by order of the Governor in Council at the request of that province.

• Return to footnote ^*[Note: Act in force December 17, 1991.]