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 West Virginia, bigamy is prohibited under state law. According to West Virginia Code §61-8-2, any person who is married and who subsequently marries another person is guilty of bigamy, which is a felony. This law makes it clear that it is illegal to marry someone while already being legally married to another individual. Polygamy, which involves having more than one spouse simultaneously, is also not permitted under West Virginia law, as it would involve the act of bigamy. The state does not recognize marriages that involve more than two people, and such practices would be subject to legal penalties. Individuals found guilty of bigamy in West Virginia could face imprisonment, fines, or both, depending on the circumstances and the discretion of the court.