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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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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Wedding Planning with Kids
If you have children – the under 18 kind – then when you get married, the kids are part of the package. Bringing two families together is at the heart of all marriage ceremonies. When there are children involved, especially if those kids are not of the union of the couple getting married, then there is special significance to the ceremony. Deciding how to include your children in the wedding ceremony can be fun, and something that you can do together. Venues Choose a location where the kids will feel comfortable. Naturally, their ages will influence your decision. A backyard […]
Mobilize NH: HB1599
Updated June 12, 2020 The House of Representatives failed to secure a 2/3 majority to suspend its rules and allow the vote on HB1599 to go forward. The bill is stalled, for now. We will proceed with our planned Zoom call on Monday, June 15th (see below) to respond to any questions and prepare for next steps, if needed. All the behind-the-scenes details are here. Special Marriage Officiant Bill During the spring of 2020, the Special Marriage Officiant bill (HB1599) worked its way through the New Hampshire General Court, despite JPUs’ efforts to block it. We haven’t given up, though. […]
Membership
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 […]
Future Shock: The Wedding Ceremony of 2050
While our concept of marriage continues to evolve, surprisingly the wedding ceremony itself has remained remarkably the same. Ask any Justice of the Peace and she will likely confirm that even the most modern couple will not abandon those features of the wedding ceremony that connect them to romance and tradition, most notably the opportunity to voice “I do!” So what is changing about the wedding ceremony? What will it look like in 35 years? If today’s trends are any indication (and of course they are), many weddings will be all about technology. (Surprise!) Virtually married? Bi-location: Your children’s wedding […]
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 […]
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