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. […]
Search Results for "CT-Connecticut/town/hartford/Burlington"
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.
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 […]
CT JP Legislation 2025
The Justice of the Peace Association has highlighted key points of HB7150, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace. In addition, the unauthenticated bill language, which was released on March 5, 2025, is below with key provisions relating to JPs that perform marriages highlighted. Key Points of HB7150: “Official misconduct” is defined. An investigation and consequences are established for misconduct. JPs are liable for damages due to misconduct; Employers (not couples) are liable to persons and/or JPs for JP misconduct if it was at the employer’s direction. JPs must pass a written exam No one to use JP title to […]
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 […]
Officiant Survey – JP Appointment Process
In 2022, the Justice of the Peace Association released a survey to support its research on the qualifications of civil officiants and the way they are appointed. One hundred seventy-eight people answered our survey. Minimum Qualifications Only five percent of survey respondents thought that marriage officiants should not have any minimum qualifications to perform a marriage ceremony. All others thought officiants should meet certain qualifications. 86% think officiants should take an oath of office. 79% want a criminal background check or other means to verify the officiant is of good character. 63% believe training is needed before becoming an officiant. […]
Intentionally Inclusive Interviewing
Intentionally Inclusive Interviewing for Marriage Officiants: Recognizing and Respecting Diversity This training provides marriage officiants a framework to better understand and prioritize their clients’ identities and experiences. This will improve officiants’ interactions with couples and their wedding guests, leaving all parties feeling more empowered and included. This webinar includes examples that depict a variety of scenarios in which unconscious bias may occur and its impact on connections. Learning Objectives Define unconscious bias and the many forms it can take. Increase awareness of your own perspective, and how that perspective might influence relationship building, the ceremony, and the couple’s and guests’ […]
Press Releases: 3/1/2021
Virtual Conference for Marriage Officiants on March 13, 2021 In anticipation of the Justice of the Peace Association’s Virtual Conference on March 13, 2021, JPus sent out variations of a press release highlighting member and speakers at the event. Following is a compilation of some that received attention. The Hartford Courant: March 5, 2021 Justices of the Peace gathering virtually for conference STATEWIDE — Justices of the Peace will be gathering virtually on March 13 to boost their ceremony-performing skills and keep up with policies impacting their services. The Fairfield based Justice of the Peace Association is hosting the conference, […]
MA Legislative Poll 2021
We are thrilled that Senator Anne Gobi is taking the lead and resubmitting the Resolve to Evaluate the One-Day Solemnizer Rule. In addition, she is also submitting two Bills that support JPs. Before doing this, she asked Massachusetts JPus members to weigh in. These are the poll results. 100% of the Massachusetts JPs who responded to our poll would like to have the fees they may charge increased. 93% of the JPs who responded to our poll would like the application fees for 1-Day Solemnizers increased. Comments provided by survey respondents, edited for clarity & length Thank you […]
Recent Comments