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Bigamy is not legal in any state.

First, bigamy and polygamy are not always considered the same.

  • Bigamy is the act of marrying a person while still legally married to another. The spouses are unaware of each other.
  • Polygamy is the state of being married to more than one person at a time and the spouses generally know each other.

Some states treat the two differently under the law with bigamy being considered a lesser crime. In a polygamous arrangement only the first spouse is legally married.

Being married to more than one person at a time has been illegal in every state in the United States since the mid-nineteenth century. In most states polygamy is defined as a felony. See the ACLU link provided below.

Title 76 Utah Criminal Code

Chapter 7 Offenses Against the Family

Section 101 Bigamy -- Defense.

76-7-101. Bigamy -- Defense.

(1) A person is guilty of bigamy when, knowing he has a husband or wife or knowing the other person has a husband or wife, the person purports to marry another person or cohabits with another person.

(2) Bigamy is a felony of the third degree.

(3) It shall be a defense to bigamy that the accused reasonably believed he and the other person were legally eligible to remarry.

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12y ago
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10y ago

Bigamy or polygamy is illegal in every state in the continental U.S, with the exception of UTAH, in Utah you can not be charged nor imprisoned if bigamy is proven. However if any of the parties moves outside of the state then in their new state of residency they will be considered bigamist and therefore punishable by Law. It is consider a Class I felony.

Actually, Utah WILL prosecute anyone engaging in LEGAL bigamy (i.e. applying for a marriage license while married). It's a 3rd-degree Felony.

Currently, Utah has a law which makes it a crime to engage in UNOFFICIAL bigamy - that is, more than two adults living together in a relationship, but without having had a marriage license (i.e. no LEGAL bigamy going on). There is a current lawsuit challenging this concept, and, as of Jan 2014, the plaintiffs have won, overturning this law. The case is ongoing, however, and on appeal.

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10y ago

One country that bigamy is legal in is Egypt. Also, Iran, India, Libya, South Africa, Somalia are other places where bigamy is legal.

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Related questions

Is bigamy legal in Canada?

No, it is not, although there are some people who practice bigamy,, but the law frowns upon it.


Bases of legal separation?

Then it is mainly cruelty, bigamy.


Do you need a divorce if you want to marry a US citizen and are still married in the Philippines. If you return to the Philippines criminal charges can be filed against you in court.?

Depending on weather bigamy is legal in the country you are currently residing in, if bigamy is legal no. However if bigamy is illegal than yes.


Are the sister wives breaking the law?

Yes. Bigamy (polygamy) is illegal in every state in the United States. Although Kody is only legally married to Meri (Christine, Janelle, and Robyn married him in religious ceremonies without a legal marriage license), in most states the bigamy law states that 'purporting' to be married or cohabiting with multiple women also counts as Bigamy.


Is it legal to marry 2 women at the same in UK?

No. It is bigamy and it is a crime in the United Kingdom.


What are the Sentencing guidelines bigamy?

There is no sentencing guideline in the UK, but the CPS website(http:/www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/bigamy has a couple of case references which might be of some assistance.


Can you get married in Vegas without it being binding in all other states?

Only if it's bigamy/poligamy and in the state in question, bigamy or poligamy were illegal.


What if you commit bigamy and you are in the military?

Committing bigamy is against the law regardless of being in the military. It is a criminal offense and can result in legal consequences such as fines, imprisonment, and dishonorable discharge from the military. Military law also prohibits bigamy and adultery and can lead to serious disciplinary action.


What is the name of a type of marriage when it is legal to marry more than one wife?

It is NOT legal to have more than one wife. That is called bigamy.


Is monogamy legal in the United States today?

Monogamy (marrying just one person) is perfectly legal in the US. Polygamy, or Bigamy (the act or condition of a person marrying another person while still being lawfully married to a second person), on the other hand, is illegal in the United States. Bigamy is punishable either by a fine, imprisonment, or both, according to the law of the individual state and the circumstances of the offense.


If a lady who is already married to an English man but goes on holiday to Philippines and marries another English man is it legal has she committed bigamy?

If the first marriage was legal, then she is not allowed to marry anyone else, no matter in which country. Bigamy is a serious crime, and may result in imprisonment.


Can you marry if your divorce is not final?

No. If you remarry before your divorce is final, then that marriage will not be legal, and you could be charged with bigamy.