A Long-Shot It was a long-shot, but we did it! The fight over the New Hampshire Special Marriage Officiant bill is over. Thank you to all the New Hampshire JPs who didn’t give up. Together, our emails, phone calls, signatures and testimony made a difference. Ultimately, the bill got stuck in conference and died. Read more to get a better understanding of what happened.
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Ending Child Marriage – NH 2019
JPus submitted written testimony to the New Hampshire Child and Family Law Committee supporting HB378. The bill, had it passed, would have ended child marriage in the state. Instead it got blocked with amendments. See the additional links, below, for related activity to end child marriage in NH and other states. Related Links Read more about the history of child marriage in New Hampshire, and JPus’ work in the state. See JPus’ written testimony in 2020 to end child marriage in NH JPus’ advocacy efforts to end child marriage in NH and other states can be found here.
Testimony to NH House Ways & Means: HB 295
Ways and Means Committee On March 6, 2019, Loretta Jay, of the Justice of the Peace Association, testified before the New Hampshire House Ways and Means Committee opposing HB 295. The bill would establish a special marriage officiant license, allowing temporary officiants. Focus on Revenue The Ways and Means Committee’s focus is on raising revenue, so JPus’ testimony emphasized how this bill, if implemented, would create unintended fiscal losses to both the state and municipalities. More information about HB 295 and JPus’ response to special officiants. Written Testimony Many thanks to the New Hampshire JPs who mobilized quickly and endorsed […]
Changes to the Laws
Don’t be caught behind the times. Stay current on new laws that affect JPs and notaries. Connecticut Gender Neutral Terms on Marriage License Effective July 1, 2021, the terms Bride and Groom are no longer on Connecticut marriage licenses, replaced with Spouse 1 and Spouse 2. Read how JPus took action to make this validating change happen. Race Information Not Collected The marriage license application will no longer seek a couple’s race, effective July 1, 2021. Probate Judge Required for 16, 17 Year Olds to Marry Effective October 1, 2017, in addition to parental consent, anyone under the age of […]
Fairfield County Connecticut
Fairfield County, Connecticut offers the best of all worlds. Luscious beaches along Long Island Sound or beautiful and serene landscapes, farms or forests in the countryside. Don’t let a fear of a high price tag scare you away. While the area boasts many high end, luxurious wedding venues, there are numerous charming and affordable spots as well. Unsure what is the right place for you? Let your JP know what you are looking for, and he or she will likely have suggestions. Find a Wedding Officiant in Fairfield County Bethel CT Bridgeport CT Brookfield CT Danbury CT Darien CT Easton […]
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 now an ally, we are working together along with some legislators to reintroduce a new bill. 2025 Legislation Connecticut’s lack of qualifications for marriage officiants is making headlines. Unscrupulous JPs are knowingly performing fraudulent marriages. These problems illustrate why qualifications […]
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 […]
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 […]
Vermont Membership Rates
Find the right fit for your listing on findaJP.com. This guide will help! We’ll help you choose from one town, one region, or multiple regions. Even the entire state of Vermont! Use the guide below or mix and match towns and regions according to how much exposure you want on findaJP.com. The higher-level plans include more towns, photos, and testimonials. When purchasing a Vermont membership at JPus.org, please use coupon code VERMONT to receive a 50% discount at checkout. Prices below reflect reduced rate. Please note, the number of towns listed by name in each state are limited. For this […]
A Unity Ceremony can make your Wedding Unique
Is your heart set on a wedding ceremony that is unique? Are you searching for the perfect signature elements that will capture the intensity of your commitment to one another or the bonds of the new family you are creating together? If so, here are three of the most popular trends in “ceremonies within the ceremony” that might be just the thing you are looking for. A longtime favorite is the Unity Candle Lighting ceremony, in which the couple lights a candle to solemnize their joining. Today Justices of the Peace are seeing more and more variations of this symbolic […]
About Connecticut JPs
Looking for a Connecticut wedding officiant? Visit findaJP.com to learn more about CT wedding laws and to search for a Connecticut Justice of the Peace. Are you a Connecticut JP? Learn more about the benefits of a JPus membership. The Connecticut Justice of the Peace Manual How to become a Justice of the Peace in Connecticut Connecticut JPs are authorized to perform the following functions: Marriages When a secular ceremony is desired, a JP is frequently called upon to be the officiant. The rules for obtaining and filing marriage licenses are: The marriage license must be obtained in the town […]
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 […]
Resolve Action Alert
S.2063 Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight On September 22, 2021, JPus managing member Loretta Jay testified (51:25) at the Massachusetts Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on S.2063, the Resolve to create a commission to evaluate the One Day Solemnizer rule. This hearing was in response to JPus’ members concerns, conveyed through JPus’ January 2019 white paper. JPus and the Town Clerk Association would be members of the Commission. Background: A summary of the problems with the One-Day Solemnizer rule and the Resolve’s legislative history is available. Action is needed now. To be successful we need Massachusetts […]
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