Staying safe during the pandemic. It is easier with the support of fellow members. On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, JPus members got together on Zoom to catch up after a season of winter weddings. It was nice to reconnect with friends and to see new faces. Slowly, COVID restrictions are being lifted, gathering sizes are increasing and wedding venues are opening up. As couples plan postponed celebrations, officiants need to be prepared with strategies to guide ceremony decisions. Staying connected by Zoom is a membership benefit. Lively Discussion Performing marriages during the pandemic. It is easier with the support of fellow members. […]
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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 […]
The Rainbow Logo
One of the most meaningful wedding ceremonies I have performed as a New Hampshire Justice of the Peace was on Loon Mountain in September, with a panorama of the White Mountains before us. Rather than that priceless vista, however, it was the couple and our special connection that made it memorable. It all started when they came across a picture of me standing in front of a rainbow flag. The two women had wanted to be married for years but were stymied by the laws of their home state, North Carolina. When the US Congress repealed the infamous DOMA, the […]
About Massachusetts JPs
Looking for a Massachusetts wedding officiant? Visit findaJP.com to learn more about Massachusetts wedding laws and to search for a Justice of the Peace. Are you a Massachusetts JP? See the state’s summary of duties for commissioned JPs Learn more about the benefits of a JPus membership. Becoming a JP In Massachusetts, a justice of the peace is appointed by the Governor for a seven year term and confirmed by the Governors Council. Each city/town is allowed one justice for every 5000 residents. In addition to affirming marriages, JPs may take affirmations, oaths, and depositions. Sometimes they may call meetings. Applications […]
Is a Wedding Rehearsal Necessary?
I’m a Tom Brady fan. Brady, as you may know, is the quarterback for the New England Patriots. He’s considered one of the best — if not the best — quarterback to ever play professional football. But he didn’t start out that way. He has never looked like the prototypical quarterback. Which is why in high school and college, other quarterbacks were brought in to replace him. But he won. They didn’t. In the NFL draft he was forgotten. He was so skinny. He was slow. I think he still owns the record for the slowest time for quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash […]
NH Special Marriage Officiants 2020 – House Ways and Means
HB1599 is Fiscally Unsound The Justice of the Peace Association submitted this written statement to the New Hampshire House Ways and Means Committee opposing HB 1599, An Act Establishing a Special Marriage Officiant License. This committee may only consider matters that affect the state budget. Consequently, our position is fiscally focused. Additional information about the bill and JPus’ activity is below in Related Links. Related Links Learn about the problems with amateur marriage officiants here JPus submitted alternative language to HB 1599 to address the problems with the bill Read the text of HB 1599 here. JPus’ blow-by-blow behind-the-scenes activity to stop […]
Massachusetts JPs
Looking for a Massachusetts wedding officiant? Visit findaJP.com to learn more about Massachusetts wedding laws and to search for a Justice of the Peace. Becoming a JP In Massachusetts, a justice of the peace is appointed by the Governor for a seven year term and confirmed by the Governors Council. Each city/town is allowed one justice for every 5000 residents. In addition to affirming marriages, JPs may take affirmations, oaths, and depositions. Sometimes they may call meetings. Here is a summary of duties. Applications may be obtained from the Governor’s Council. Non-residents, including JPs from other states, can marry people in […]
Conference 2021 – Attendee Help
Our first virtual conference is powered by Accelevents and can be attended via computer, tablet or mobile device. Answers to general questions about the conference can be found below. A detailed guide for attendees by AccelEvents can be found here. AccelEvents has also provided an introduction to virtual events. FAQs How do I purchase a ticket to the conference? Get your tickets here. To take advantage of early-bird pricing purchase your ticket Feb. 15th, 2021. How much do tickets cost? JPus members: $25 until February 15, 2021. Price goes up to $30 for members after that date. Non-members: $40/ticket. New […]
Introducing JPus.Training
Where Marriage Officiants Go to Learn The Justice of the Peace Association is pleased to announce JPus.Training, its new online learning center. Here we will host educational courses for JPs, notaries and other professional marriage officiants. Visitors to JPus.Training can log into the site and sign up for courses of interest. The first training that we’re offering is COVID-19 Best Practices for Marriage Officiants. We developed the training in consultation with OSHA for two purposes: ★ to provide officiants the information needed to safely navigate marriage ceremonies during the pandemic ★ to provide assurance to couples that the professional officiants they […]
Maine raises age to wed
Children must be 16 to marry in Maine Not quite what we were hoping for, but a step in the right direction. The minimum age to marry in Maine is now 16. Prior to this new law going into effect on January 1, 2020, any child, no matter how young, was allowed to marry if their parent and a probate judge approved. Read more about JPus’ work to end child marriage Stay current with other changes to marriage laws
JPus Conference 2021
March 13, 2021 The Justice of the Peace Association celebrated 20 years with our first virtual conference. This event brought together keynote speakers and workshops in an informative and engaging format. The 2021 Conference provided a creative environment where civil officiants were able to re-imagine weddings, learn new skills, and nurture relationships with others through networking opportunities. Activities included keynote speaker, a legislative panel, interactive workshops, networking breakout rooms and more. It is amazing what a virtual conference can do. It was exciting to bring our members from different states together in a way that was not possible before. Spending […]
Mobilize NH: HB1599
Your voice is needed! New Hampshire’s Special Marriage Officiant bill, HB1599, is expected to come before the House of Representatives for a vote tomorrow. And then it will go to the Senate. That’s where we come in. We’ll need all NH JPs to get involved if we want to defeat this legislation. We have a Zoom call scheduled for Monday to answer your questions, and talking points to help you focus your message. Read more about our strategy and get the details.
Support to End Child Marriage – NH
18 to Wed – No exceptions The Justice of the Peace Association submitted written testimony in support of HB 1516. The bill would end all marriages in the state of New Hampshire for anyone younger than 18. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 1:30. See JPus’ statement and read more about our work to end child marriage.