Is my cousin's marriage in an "independent Catholic church" valid if both are baptized Catholics?
The short answer
No. As Catholics they are bound to marry in the Church's form, and marrying in an "independent catholic church" does not satisfy it, so the marriage would be invalid. They would not be excommunicated, but should not receive Communion until the matter is rectified and they have confessed.
Because both are Catholics, your cousin and her fiancé are bound by Church law to marry in the Church. Canon 1117 says the canonical form must generally be observed if at least one party was baptized in or received into the Catholic Church and has not left it by a formal act.
Marrying in an "independent catholic church" does not satisfy this, and the resulting "marriage" would be invalid. They would not incur excommunication, but a conjugal relationship outside a valid marriage is grave matter, and they should not receive the Eucharist until the situation is rectified and they have gone to confession.
Express your concerns and strongly encourage them to marry validly in the Church.
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