Updated November 19, 2020 Stay home orders are changing, depending on the coronavirus’ community spread. Governors are redefining guidelines and policies for group gatherings in each state. To help keep track of what the rules are, we are listing them, organized by state, here. We also have a member support article about operations in each state’s municipal offices, and what to do if the clerk’s office is closed. Please remember, safety is paramount. Social distancing rules continue. When conducting marriages, officiants are working and therefore must wear a face covering. See our 8 Things to Do article on performing marriages […]
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Networking Opportunities
Always looking to build relationships between officiants, or strengthen collaboration with our partners, networking is an important aspect of JPus. Networking Between Officiants Providing opportunities for JPs, notaries and other officiants to get to know each other promotes growth – and learning! Naturally, this helps our members do better ceremonies. Therefore, when we are able we hold networking social events at various locations. Since COVID, we Zoom! These gatherings provide opportunities for personal and more intimate conversations. See our Zoom schedule and recordings of previous sessions. In-Person Before the pandemic, we got together in-person. We hope to resume these events […]
Covid Advocacy
We think of ourselves as the hub for civil marriage officiants. As such, we take our responsibility to support our members seriously. This includes providing the resources to support them during the coronavirus pandemic. Our priority is safety. That also includes making sure couples know that professional officiants are equipped with the knowledge needed to solemnize their marriage during these uncertain times. Similarly, we are partnering with our state government leaders to both share protocols and advocate for policies that meet all stakeholders’ needs. Resource Pages See JPus’ COVID-19 Resources for officiants. Resources to help couples navigate weddings during the […]
NH 1599 – What Happened 2020
Updated July 13, 2020 When it comes to amateur officiants in New Hampshire, the Justice of the Peace Association fights diligently on behalf of our members.That is because logic and righteousness are on our side. We’ve done the research. We’ve explored alternatives. We’ve built allies. And we played by the rules. A Quick Summary In June 2019, the legislative session ended with an upset. The special marriage officiant bill died after the Senate President blocked it – based on the problems raised by JPus. While we were successful, we also knew that our work wasn’t done. The bill would be […]
Advocacy
the When legal or social issues affect our membership’s marriage-related duties, JPus gets involved. JPus represents membership, advocating on their behalf: Supporting legislation, engaging the media, training officiants Are there policies or legislation brewing in your community that affect justices of the peace? Let JPus know – we’re here to support you! At the Justice of the Peace Association, we work for the change we want to see. We are an inclusive organization that believes in the equality of all people. Our activities reflect our core values. Amateur Marriage Officiants Lay-officiants give professional JPs a bad name. This includes state-sanctioned […]
Our Team
Related Links Learn about Our Founders and how JPus got started more than 20 years ago Our Purpose describes the services our team provides Read about the Benefits of a JPus membership Join JPus and be a part of our community
New Britain Herald: 11/11/2006
JP conference grows By: Francine Maglione, Herald Staff 11/11/2006 NEW BRITAIN – One year after Connecticut legalized civil unions, justices of the peace are more popular than ever. On Nov. 18, hundreds of justices of the peace will converge on Central Connecticut State University to attend the second annual Justice of the Peace Conference. The conference will take place in the Constitution Room in the university’s Memorial Hall, and is hosted by the Justice of the Peace Association, located in Westport. “We’re trying to build a community of justices of the peace,” said Barbara Jay, president of the Justice of […]
Surprise Your Guests: Get Married!
After living together for 14 years, whenever we talked about getting married, the biggest obstacle was the wedding itself. My kids were teenagers, his were married with young children of their own. After all this time living like an old married couple, we were embarrassed to make a big deal of it. Yet we wanted our friends and family to be present. On the Friday before a planned party to celebrate his 60th birthday with all the kids and a few friends coming, I had a light bulb moment. Here was the perfect opportunity to have it both ways! (He […]
Weddings Don’t Have to be Expensive
While big expensive weddings remain popular, many couples confide that they just cannot afford a fancy affair. Thus I offer the following suggestions for having a beautiful and memorable occasion without all the cost. First, let’s talk about location. Banquet halls are lovely, but they often come with a steep price tag. For those who want to avoid that expense, options abound. Couples can save money by having their wedding at home. If that isn’t possible, perhaps a friend or relative might offer theirs. Or if the couple met while walking their dogs in a local park, they might want […]
Bring back the real JPs!
Is the title “Justice of the Peace” destined to become a generic term for marriage officiant? Not so long ago, most states elected or appointed JPs whose primary duty was to perform marriages. Today many of those states have abolished that role and that official title. Justices of the Peace in Nevada, Texas, Florida and other southern and western states are primarily the lowest level of court justice for whom officiating at marriages is a subordinate (and happy) perk of the office. In some states, a law degree is a prerequisite; in others, not. The New England states are the […]
Press Release: 12/14/2018
Local Organization Joins National Coalition to End Child Marriage in the United States December 14, 2018, Fairfield, CT. The Fairfield-based Justice of the Peace Association (JPus) joined the national Coalition to End Child Marriage in the United States, which launched this week in recognition of Human Rights Day. In October 2018 JPus’ membership voted overwhelmingly by 95% to join the coalition. The Coalition to End Child Marriage brings together organizations and individuals working to end all marriages of children younger than 18 in the United States. Child marriage, which happens legally in 48 states including Connecticut, destroys girls’ health, education and economic opportunities, […]
Press Release: 1/13/2019
Temporary marriage officiants – Judiciary hearing on Wednesday FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2019, Fairfield, CT. The New Hampshire House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee is holding a public hearing on Wednesday to temporarily authorize anyone to solemnize a marriage in the state. New Hampshire has the benefit of learning from its neighbors to the south. Massachusetts has a lay-officiant rule that has caused significant problems. Beyond belittling professional JPs, it has doubled the workload for municipal clerks and created chaos for couples whose marriages were invalid. The Justice of the Peace Association submitted a white paper to MA Governor Charlie […]
New York Times: 9/25/2005
The big day nears: What to wear, What to say Four years ago, along with her husband, Saul Haffner, a justice of the peace, Barbara Jay started Justices of the Peace of Connecticut, an organization that helps couples find people in their communities to preside over their weddings. The organization has since expanded into three more states and is now called Justices of the Peace of the U.S. As of Tuesday, 165 people were expected to attend the JPus conference, including justices of the peace, town clerks and clergy members. Read article here.
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