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Month: February 2023

Survey: Friends and Family

One of the nice things about being a part of a professional membership association is the connectedness with fellow JPs and notaries. We share stories. We hear about the good – and the not-so-good. We learn and we grow and we benefit. One such story is the officiant who performs a ceremony for their family member. As an example, perhaps you’ve noticed the photo to the right, which is also on this website’s homepage slider. This is our co-founder, Saul Haffner, officiating at his granddaughter Abby’s wedding to Mike. This opportunity gave Saul so much joy, and Abby treasures the memory.

When Saul did Abby’s wedding, he was already a pro. Alternatively, sometimes the officiant is a newbie. They are either so overcome with the love that they get hooked and continue performing weddings for others. Or, was it a once-was-enough, been there, done that?

Take the Survey

We’d like to quantify these subjective stories. Whether or not you’ve performed a wedding for a friend or family member, please complete our survey.

Take Survey

VT Action Alert – Child Marriage

CALL TO ACTION in VERMONT
End Child Marriage

Ask the YOUR REPRESENTATIVE to Vote YES on H 148

Please take a few minutes to email or call your Representative and ask them to vote YES on H 148 Raising the Age of Marriage to 18.
The House Committee on Judiciary is meeting on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
There is no need for 16 & 17 year old children to marry – this isn’t about maturity, it is about legal rights. A child cannot retain an attorney, access domestic violence shelters, or sign a lease on a rental.
New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey have already passed legislation making the age of marriage 18, with no exceptions. New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut have bills to do the same.
We do not want Vermont to become the destination marriage state in the Northeast for child traffickers to increase their control over their victims.

Your steps

  1. Call or e-mail YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
  2. Let the know who you are and where you live and what you do
  3. Ask them to vote YES on H 148 – Raising the Age of Marriage to 18

Talking Points

  • As a professional marriage officiant or town clerk, you are faced with the ethical dilemma: performing a ceremony that you know is not in the best interest of the minor child or violating the law by refusing.
  • This is about legal rights, NOT about maturity.
  • A child cannot retain an attorney, access domestic violence shelters, or sign a lease on a rental. If married, child protective services cannot protect them.
  • We do not want Vermont to become the destination marriage state in the Northeast for child traffickers to further their control over their victims.
Feel free to contact JPus if you have any questions or concerns.
Remember – as marriage officiants and town clerks, you are on the front lines. Your voice and perspective matters.

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