Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In Massachusetts, both bigamy and polygamy are prohibited by law. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 207, Section 2, it is illegal for someone to marry another person if they have a living spouse from whom they have not been legally divorced. Bigamy is considered a felony offense in Massachusetts, and those found guilty may face imprisonment. The state does not recognize polygamous marriages, and such arrangements have no legal standing. Additionally, Massachusetts does not issue more than one marriage license to an individual at a time, ensuring that the legal framework supports monogamous marriages only.