It is illegal in all 50 states to be married to more than one person — which is known as polygamy, not polyamory. There is no legal framework for polyamorous families to share finances, custody of children or the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage.

Where is it legal to have a polyamorous marriage?

Do people engaged in polyamory have any legal rights? Currently, not many. Multiple U.S. states (including California, Washington, Louisiana, and Rhode Island) have explicitly recognized the families with multiple parents, such as step-families, adoptive families, and families with CNM parents.

Can you be married polyamorous?

Some polyamorous people are married and have partners outside of their marriage. However, polygamy exclusively describes relationships where people are married. Polyandry and polygyny are both forms of polygamy (in other words, they involve marriage too).

Why is polyamory illegal in the US?

Because state laws exist, polygamy is not actively prosecuted at the federal level, but the practice is considered against public policy and, accordingly, the U.S. government does not recognize bigamous marriages for immigration purposes (that is, would not allow one of the spouses to petition for immigration