Annulment is the declaration that a marriage never really existed, or was void from the beginning. Most states of the United States, as well as many religious groups, have strict laws saying that first cousins may not marry each other. If two persons are found to be within the forbidden degree of consanguinity (blood relationship), their marriage can be annulled.
Annulments are sometimes granted for other reasons, such as fraud or undue force exercised against one of the parties. A marriage can also be annulled if either party is under age, or if both parties declare that they considered the ceremony a joke at the time it was performed. An annulment differs from a divorce, which has the effect of dissolving a valid marriage for some cause arising after the ceremony. The Roman Catholic Church does not recognize divorce, but it does recognize annulment.
