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 North Dakota, bigamy is prohibited under state law. According to North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) 12.1-20-01, an individual is guilty of bigamy if they knowingly contract or purport to contract a marriage with another person while a previous marriage is still in effect. Bigamy is classified as a felony in North Dakota. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not legally recognized in the state and falls under the prohibition against bigamy. Individuals who engage in polygamous relationships may face legal consequences under the bigamy statutes. It is important for individuals to dissolve any previous marriage legally through divorce or annulment before entering into a new marriage to avoid violating the law.