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Amateur Officiants
Online Officiants Online officiants are individuals who secure permission to solemnize marriages through the auspices of a religious organization, most often the Universal Life Church (ULC). Typically, they are lay people who fill out a form online so they can marry their friend or family member. Some use the authorization to circumvent JP rules which limit the number of civil officiants per town. There are no regulations or oversight to ensure compliance with state laws. Oftentimes the ULC ministers treat the legal act of marrying couples as frivolously as the ULC distributes certifications, invalidating marriages. Massachusetts’ One-Day Solemnizers The biggest […]
Spontaneous Weddings
I absolutely love being spontaneous! And, an added bonus, it takes the edge off of planning for months and months for an extravagant wedding. As a Justice of the Peace I have been asked to officiate many small, intimate ceremonies, especially during COVID. Many couples need to switch gears and do not want to wait. Frequently, it is a last minute decision. They prefer to keep their original date, and have the ceremony at an uncrowded, open space location. The trick is to be flexible. You are with your love, so just make sure it’s a legal ceremony (don’t forget […]
Coronavirus Update #2
As we enter the third week of distancing ourselves from each other, it is becoming clearer that we’re in this for the long haul. There will not be a quick fix, and how we navigate our new normal will affect our own personal health and safety, as well as that of our loved ones and community. This pandemic is testing our resolve, and that of our communities. Marriage officiants must confront this reality and consider multiple factors. Physical safety and community health Whether it is our own personal health, or that of our loved ones, safety must come first. Similarly, […]
2020 Legislative Wrap-up
All of the legislation that JPus has been following has wrapped up for the 2020 spring session. A summary of each follows. Amateur Officiants Massachusetts The Resolve for a commission study to evaluate the one-day solemnizer rule passed out of committee favorably at the end of February. But, then it got stuck and died in March. In order to plan for next year, we’ve spoken with Senator Cyr’s office and requested that the bill be resubmitted in January. More about our work to address one-day solemnizer problems. New Hampshire After the special marriage officiant bill died in the House, it […]
Bring back the real JPs!
Is the title “Justice of the Peace” destined to become a generic term for marriage officiant? Not so long ago, most states elected or appointed JPs whose primary duty was to perform marriages. Today many of those states have abolished that role and that official title. Justices of the Peace in Nevada, Texas, Florida and other southern and western states are primarily the lowest level of court justice for whom officiating at marriages is a subordinate (and happy) perk of the office. In some states, a law degree is a prerequisite; in others, not. The New England states are the […]
MA Call to Action – End Child Marriage
Updated 11/7/2021 If passed, S937 (Senator Harriette Chandler) and H1709 (Representative Kay Khan), would End Child Marriage in Massachusetts. Please call your Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support the legislation to #EndChildMarriage. You may use the script below for some guidance. Please look up your Legislators at https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator Testifying to Committee Members Instructions to submit written or oral testimony to the Massachusetts Legislature when a hearing is scheduled Contacting Your Legislator Conducting a Successful Call Introduce yourself and what town you live in. The office will want to know your zip code to make sure you’re a constituent! If the Representative […]
JP Ceremonies ~ Meaningful with History
For many, the term Justice of the Peace (or JP or JOP) has become a catchall phrase on discussion forums, social media and blogs referring to any civil marriage officiant. “Going to the JP” means to hie oneself (or selves) to town hall for a quickie marriage. This is a disservice to the many Justices of the Peace. Especially, members of the Justice of the Peace Association. They are professional marriage officiants who customize beautiful and personal ceremonies. Beyond that, these pros guide their couples in every aspect of the wedding service. Professionals All Around In addition, members of the […]
How to Find a JP
The process of selecting a Justice of the Peace should begin just after you have chosen a wedding date and confirmed your location. Just like popular wedding venues, in-demand officiants book weddings nine to twelve months and sometimes more than a year in advance. Follow the steps below to find a JP or visit a related link to learn more. How do you find the perfect JP for your wedding? Steps: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Related Links: Search for an Officiant | About Justices of the Peace | How to Interview […]
Who Should be Your Officiant: A JP or Your Best Friend
Your wedding: imagine that magical moment when you say “I do” and your life changes forever. Who could be better than your best friend to join you in marriage? STOP. Are you sure about that? In recent years, some states have relaxed the rules for who can officiate a wedding, authorizing almost anyone to be “officiant for a day.” Fill out a one-page form, bring it to your town hall, give them a check, and voila! For one day, you’re official. From the government’s perspective, it’s an easy way to generate a little revenue. In Vermont, for $100 any adult can now […]
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 […]
Central Vermont
The five counties that make up central Vermont consist of the Green Mountains, rolling countrysides and peaceful lowlands along the Hudson River. Nestled in this area are charming quintessential New England towns. Lovely venues for local celebrations, as well as destination weddings so all your friends and family can partake. Unsure what is the right venue for you? Let your JP know what you are looking for, and he or she will likely have suggestions. Find a Wedding Officiant in Central Vermont Barre VT Cabot VT Chelsea VT Ferrisburg VT Killington VT Middlebury VT Montpelier VT Norwich VT Pittsfield VT Randolph […]
Ideas for a Ceremony of Gravitas
Keep in mind that your wedding ceremony introduces the world to your love and your love to the world. In your new roles as “Mr and Mrs” or “Mrs and Mrs” or “Mr and Mr” you become a family that might increase and divide and increase again. So why not let the ceremony treat the love that brought you to this point as more than mere romance? When romantic love has grown up and been tested, it becomes bigger, believe it or not. It becomes where you are going – your path and your destination. It’s a road with all […]