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 Texas, both bigamy and polygamy are illegal. Under Texas Penal Code Section 25.01, bigamy is defined as an individual being legally married and subsequently marrying someone else before the first marriage has been dissolved or declared invalid, or living with a person other than their spouse in a state that recognizes that relationship as a marriage. Bigamy is considered a felony in Texas, and the severity of the charge can range from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony, depending on the circumstances, such as the age of the additional spouse. Polygamy, which involves having multiple spouses simultaneously, is not legally recognized in Texas and falls under the prohibition against bigamy. Therefore, any marriage license obtained while already married is invalid, and engaging in polygamous relationships can lead to criminal charges.
