August 12, 2019 South Burlington, VT. New opportunity for civic-minded, people-oriented Vermonters to get involved. The Justice of the Peace Association and the Vermont Municipal Clerks’ and Treasurers’ Association (VMCTA) are teaming up to engage residents to become justices of the peace. JPs, as they are informally called, are entrusted to help with elections, hear tax appeals and officiate weddings. How to become a Justice of the Peace? Candidates for JP’s are solicited by the political parties in their town during their bi-annual caucuses in July (next one is in 2020) and those names are placed on the ballot in […]
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New Britain Herald: 10/25/2008
Justices Welcome Same-Sex Marriages Saturday, October 25, 2008 By: Jennifer Sprague DURHAM – Justices of the peace from throughout the state weighed in on the issue of same-sex marriage Saturday at their annual conference, held at Durham Town Hall. Although town clerks were told by the state’s Department of Public Health that Tuesday is the official release date of the court’s gay-marriage decision, Ben Klein, attorney for the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, said Oct. 10 same-sex couples will not be able to wed until mid-November. Regardless of the effective date, town clerks have not been told when the […]
JP Appointments
It is frustrating that the same political maneuvering that led to our research on Connecticut’s appointment process is what ultimately killed the bill to raise the qualifications of marriage officiants in Connecticut. Nonetheless, we’re making progress. We had tons of participation on our Zoom Q&A presentation in March. Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas was persuaded by our white paper, and she proposed the initial legislation to create a working group to evaluate JP Appointments in Connecticut. Now an ally, we are working together along with some legislators to reintroduce a bill in 2024. 2024 Legislation We are working with the Secretary […]
Boston Globe: 4/27/2020
‘Are we ready for a wedding?’ Couples wrangle with nuptials amid coronavirus By Danny McDonald, Globe Staff. Updated April 27, 2020, 12:00pm. MALDEN – By any standard, this does not look like a traditional wedding venue. A large, L-shaped couch dominates the space. An elaborate lighting fixture hangs down from the ceiling. The floor tiles are a utilitarian gray. And upon them are stacks of brown Amazon packages awaiting pickup. But in the age of COVID-19, the lobby of a modern apartment building is the new hotel ballroom. Many couples have scrambled to postpone their big day until everyone can […]
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 […]
Engaging Legislators
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Conferences and Workshops
The 2021 JPus conference for professional marriage officiants was a hit! We celebrated the 20th anniversary of JPus with our first virtual conference. Conferences provide opportunities for professional civil officiants to learn new skills, hear important news that affects their practice, network and refine their craft. Keynote speakers include Secretary of the State, Registrars, Attorney Generals and other state leaders. Topics range from setting fees to securing insurance; crafting custom vows to changing laws. In addition to the main speakers, breakout workshops and vendor booths round off the event. Some of our Past Keynote Speakers & Workshop Presenters Richard Blumenthal, Attorney […]
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 […]
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 […]
Are Vows Required?
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Union Leader: 7/17/2020
The following op-ed was published in the New Hampshire Union Leader on July 17, 2020. It calls for Governor Sununu to issue an executive order to undo the temporary marriage officiant authorization. Loretta Jay: Amendment undermines marriages… literally ON THE second to last day of the session, the New Hampshire Senate tacked an unrelated amendment onto a guaranteed-to-pass bill. This move, done without notifying constituents, gives anyone temporary authorization to officiate a marriage. This will increase the risk of coronavirus spread. The House passed the bill the next day. New Hampshire needs Governor Sununu to step in and halt this […]
Couple Changed Their Mind
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New Haven Register: 9/25/2005
Officials brace for rush of same-sex unions Associated Press. Published 12:00 am EDT, Sunday, September 25, 2005 MIDDLETOWN As a new law allowing same-sex civil unions takes effect next week, justices of the peace, clergy and town clerks are entering uncharted waters. “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 to answer questions about civil unions. “It’s going to be a mess.” Connecticut is the first state to pass […]