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 […]

About Vermont JPs Information from the Vermont Justice of the Peace Guide   HOW TO BECOME A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE To become a justice of the peace, you must be elected at a general election or be appointed to fill a vacancy. Although elected by a town, justices of the peace are actually county officers.  ELECTION OF JUSTICES A person must be a legal voter of the town and have been nominated by party caucus or, failing that, by the town committee in order to be elected justice of the peace. A person may also run as an independent. NUMBER […]

In the spring of 2019, the Justice of the Peace Association persisted in its opposition to the New Hampshire House Bill 295-FN-A, an act establishing a special marriage officiant license. Despite the odds, the bill eventually died in conference. Following is what transpired. It was early January 2019 when New Hampshire Justice of the Peace Cynthia Dumont called JPus to alert us to HB 295-FN-A. This bill, if passed, would temporarily authorize an individual to solemnize a marriage in the state. JPus members in Massachusetts and Vermont made us aware of how amateur officiants have negatively impacted their business. The town clerks […]

Special Marriage Officiants JPus’ Oral Testimony In response to our membership’s opposition to the New Hampshire special marriage officiant bill, JPus testified in person three times to the legislature; we provided alternative solutions that would satisfy all stakeholders. We also submitted written testimony, and eventually the bill died in conference. JPus’ Written Testimony January 16, 2019 to the House Judiciary Committee March 6, 2019 to the House Ways and Means Committee April 23, 2019 to the Senate Judiciary Committee May 30, 2019 to all members of the Senate Related Links Why JPus got involved in the special marriage officiant bill. Read all about the […]

This event has ended. Please visit our Event Page for Upcoming Activities. Mix and Mingle with your fellow JPs and town clerks. We hope to see you at our Networking Event Wednesday December 19, 5-7:00pm at Bertucci’s in Newington, CT Getting together with our colleagues creates new opportunities and connections – and it’s fun! JPs, town clerks and other stakeholders are all invited to attend. This will be a terrific opportunity to meet and connect with our fellow officiants, municipal and state leaders on a social level. Let’s build upon our shared interests and find new ones. Getting to know some of the others […]

The Justice of the Peace Association submitted written testimony in support of legislation to end child marriage in the state of Massachusetts. Related Links JPus’ End Child Marriage landing page Massachusetts landing page for JPus efforts to end child marriage Written testimony in support of legislation to end child marriage in Massachusetts was submitted on March 23, 2019, July 21, 2019 (below) and November 20, 2019. JPus’ Advocacy pages include efforts to end child marriage, respond to human trafficking, and preserve marriage equality. The organization also actively works to address the problems with lay officiants. July 21, 2019 testimony to the Massachusetts […]