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 Michigan, both bigamy and polygamy are prohibited by law. Under Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.439), it is a felony for any person to be married to more than one person at the same time. This law makes it clear that individuals cannot legally enter into a new marriage if they are already married, regardless of whether the subsequent marriage occurs in Michigan or another jurisdiction. The penalties for committing bigamy can include imprisonment, fines, or both. Additionally, any marriage entered into while a person has a living spouse from whom they have not been legally divorced is considered void. It is important to note that while some individuals may engage in polygamous relationships due to personal or religious beliefs, such relationships do not have legal recognition in Michigan, and entering into a marriage contract while already married is a criminal offense.