When the Stamford Advocate ran a story about the Census Bureau’s announcement that the marriage rate in Connecticut is the lowest in the country, JPus managing member Loretta Jay supposed a reason for the decline. To the Editor: The recent story, Marriage rates in Connecticut lowest in US (Feb 25, 2020) makes me wonder. Is this a reflection of society’s willingness to treat the legal act of marrying so flippantly? Online officiants became a thing in 2001, after Joey on Friends got ordained to officiate Monica and Chandler’s wedding. Oddly, they became a trend. Even though Joey’s performance was filled […]
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JP Appointments Bill in Jeopardy
Contact YOUR STATE SENATOR and REPRESENTATIVE ask them to Vote YES on SB1140 Inclusive of Section 3 Working Group Please take a few minutes to email your Senator and Representative and ask them to vote YES on SB1140 inclusive of Section 3, creating a JP Working Group Look up your State Representative and Senator Call or send your State Representative and Senator an email asking them to support SB1140 – Inclusive of Section 3. See talking points and sample e-mail language below. The details are important. Current Situation On May 16, 2023, a new amendment was submitted in the Senate that guts the part […]
The Denver Post: 9/24/2005
The Nation’s News By THE DENVER POST, MIDDLETOWN, Conn. Justices are learning to perform gay unions Connecticut’s new law allowing same-sex civil unions takes effect this 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.” Connecticut is the first state to pass a civil-union law, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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