No one oversees CT’s justices of the peace. Critics say that has to change By Joshua Eaton, Brianna Gurciullo, Brian Lockhart, Staff Writers, October 9, 2025 BRIDGEPORT — Scores of immigrants travel to Bridgeport each month, often from out of state, to marry U.S. citizens in quick ceremonies at a downtown city office building, an investigation by CT Insider found. The brief ceremonies are performed by justices of the peace — officials authorized under state law to officiate marriages at their own discretion. The marriages have sparked concerns about immigration fraud and the potential exploitation of both the citizens and the immigrants involved. At […]
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CT JPs testify to Support Legislation
Connecticut JPs Walk the Walk Not content to sit on the sidelines, Connecticut JPs took action to address problems related to JP appointments and the quality and oversight of officiants in the state (HB7150, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace). Several members of the Justice of the Peace Association took time out of their day to help members of the Planning and Development Committee better understand what officiating marriages is all about. Testimony included the need for training, improving the appointment process, developing systems to address illegal marriages (forced, trafficked and fraudulent), tracking the marriage status of couples and […]
About Vermont JPs
Looking for a Vermont wedding officiant? Visit findaJP.com to learn more about Vermont wedding laws and to Search for a Vermont Justice of the Peace. Are you a Vermont JP? Learn more about the benefits of a JPus membership. NEW! Check out our Vermont Member Rate Sheet to learn more about discounted memberships: 50% discount for all Vermont JPs. Use coupon code VERMONT. How to become a Vermont Justice of the Peace Information from the Vermont Justice of the Peace Guide To become a justice of the peace, you must be elected at a general election or be appointed to […]
The Middletown Press: 10/27/2007
The Complications of Performing Marriages Sloan Brewster. Published 12:00 am EDT, Saturday, October 27, 2007 HADDAM – For a Justice of the Peace the first interview with a couple can resemble an audition. “When they come to your house, you’re not interviewing them,” Eleanor Tomazewski a Middletown JP said to a captive audience. “You’re on audition; they’re interviewing you.” Tomazewski, who is 78 shared some tidbits of her 20 years as a JP with about 30 of her fellows at the Annual Conference for the Justices of the Peace at the Haddam Firehouse Saturday. The moral of her tales was simple, have a […]
Submit Testimony Supporting HB7510
Sign Up Now Register to speak in-person or by Zoom. Deadline to sign-up is 3PM Sunday. Three minute time limit. The speaker order is randomized and is released at 6PM on Sunday night. Submit your written testimony here. The hearing is on March 10, 2025 at 10:30AM. Indicate that you SUPPORT HB7510. Sample Letter to Legislators Please customize to reflect your experience. Indented text prompts for customization. Planning and Development Committee March 10, 2025 Public Hearing on H.B. 7510, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace Good Day, Senator Rahman, Representative Kavros DeGraw, Senator Gordon, Representative Zullo, and distinguished members […]
CT JPs – CoSponsors Needed
Contact YOUR STATE SENATOR and REPRESENTATIVE and ask them to Co-Sponsor HB 6529 an Act Concerning Justices of the Peace Please take a few minutes to call or email your Senator and Representative and ask them to cosponsor HB6529. This is the bill that addresses our concerns about JP appointments and qualifications. Step One: Look up your State Representative and Senator here. Follow the link to get their phone number and/or email address. Call or send your State Representative and Senator an email asking them to cosponsor HB6529. Be sure to copy JPus on the email to let us know that you reached […]
COVID Advocacy in Massachusetts
Updated August 10, 2020 States and municipalities are reeling, trying to establish systems for what used to be routine business of government. Included in the mix is the processing of legal marriages. In Massachusetts, there has been a lack of direction or guidance – for JPs, clerks and couples. Many marriages have already been planned and need to be postponed. Other times, marriages are essential (health benefits, immigration issues, emotional duress), and need to proceed. There needs to be a plan to address both circumstances. Responsible, professional JPs have been role models. They completed COVID training certification for marriage officiants, and […]
Press Release: 3/27/2020
Marriage License Rules Loosened in Connecticut March 27, 2020, Fairfield, CT. On Tuesday, when Connecticut’s Governor Lamont signed an executive order loosening marriage license application procedures, he acknowledged that sometimes performing a marriage is an essential service. This made socially distanced weddings an official alternative. Sadly, the big reception must be postponed until life returns to normal, but for now at least, the wedding can go on. Thankfully, the state’s justices of the peace (JP) are at the ready to support couples who need an intimate ceremony now. Sometimes health insurance coverage or a military deployment make a marriage urgent. […]
Press Release: 1/13/2019
Changes to 1-Day Solemnizer Rule Recommended FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2019, Fairfield, CT. Significant problems with the state’s one-day solemnizer rule were identified by the Justice of the Peace Association in a white paper submitted to Governor Charlie Baker’s office last week. The Governor appoints Justices of the Peace to perform marriages and process the paperwork required to make the relationship legal. The one-day solemnizer rule allows friends and family to officiate, oftentimes with troublesome results. Most people think when the officiant says “I now pronounce you…” is the most important part of the marriage. But in reality, witnessing […]
The Sun Journal: 9/25/2005
9/25/05 Justices of the Peace Prepare to Marry Gays Connecticut’s new law allowing same-sex civil unions takes effect next weekend, and justices of the peace are still learning how to handle the new ceremonies. “On Oct. 1, civil unions become law in Connecticut, but there is not a JP in that room who knows what to do with it,” said Saul Haffner, president of Justices of the Peace of Connecticut, which held a conference Saturday on the law. “It’s going to be a mess.” Read article here.
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