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 Pennsylvania, both bigamy and polygamy are illegal. Under Pennsylvania law, specifically 18 Pa.C.S. § 1707, bigamy is defined as marrying or cohabitating with more than one spouse when already legally married to another person. Bigamy is considered a felony of the second degree in Pennsylvania. This means that if a person is found guilty of bigamy, they could face serious legal consequences, including imprisonment. The state does not recognize any additional marriage licenses if a person is already legally married, regardless of any religious or customary practices that may allow polygamy. It is important for individuals to be aware that engaging in bigamy or polygamy can lead to significant legal trouble in Pennsylvania.