The Justice of the Peace Association has discussed and reported how the number of couples entering Connecticut for fraudulent marriages has increased since the pandemic. In some towns the clerks have managed to shoo them away. In others, there is a steady stream. Unfortunately the laws do not support JPs refusing to perform the ceremony. But JPus provided training so officiants know how to recognize and respond when they encounter suspected fraudulent marriages.
In the News
Some unscrupulous JPs have been knowingly performing marriages between a US citizen and a non-citizen who do not appear to know each other. These are some of the published news articles after an expose in New Haven, Connecticut.
- On November 7, 2024, the New Haven Independent released its investigative report about a justice of the peace who was performing an extraordinarily high number of what appears to be fraudulent marriages. US citizens marrying mostly Indian nationals. The couples didn’t appear to know each other and they didn’t live in New Haven, where the ceremonies occurred. Other JPs quoted in the article appeared indifferent to the situation, and unaware of the risks to vulnerable populations.
- The Mirror published the New Haven Independent’s article in its entirety.
- A week later, the Hartford Courant posted a follow-up news article highlighting legislators’ concerns.
- National news caught the story and conservative commentator Ann Coulter ran a story, using it to promote her anti-immigration views.
Related Links
- See what JPus is doing to raise the qualifications of Connecticut officiants
- JPus’ managing member was interviewed in this March 2024 Connecticut Post article about unregulated JPs
- Read JPus’ white paper, Civil Marriage Officiants in Connecticut: Solutions to Unburden the JP Appointment Process
- See JPus’s survey results about officiant qualifications and appointments
- See how JPus is advocating to address the problems with amateur officiants
- Learn about the JP and notary role, state-by-state
- We advocate on other marriage-related issues