Search Results for "VT-Vermont/town/northern/Shelburne"

VT – 2023 H148 Support

Letter of Support to End Child Marriage The Justice of the Peace Association submitted a letter of support to the House Judiciary Committee for H148, a bill to end child marriage in Vermont. Related Links Vermont’s child marriage history and legislative activity See the learning objectives and link to he recording of our Vermont workshop about child marriage Take JPus’ training for marriage officiants about child and forced marriage. Read about JPus’ efforts to end child marriage in all of the states we serve. Learn about JPus members’ vote to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage. Learn more about our partners, Unchained at Last and Tahirih Justice Center, […]

How to Get a Marriage License During COVID-19?

Updated May 7, 2021 How to Get a Marriage License? The national, state and local response to COVID-19 is drastic. The message: stay home. If there was any doubt at the seriousness of the direction, it was made abundantly clear when municipal offices started shuttering. Because marriage licenses are issued at Town Clerk’s offices, and many of them are closed to the public, this poses new challenges for couples. FindaJP and the Justice of the Peace Association are working with state officials to provide information to couples looking to secure a marriage license. Below is the most current direction we’ve […]

NH Special Marriage Officiants: What Happened 2019

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 […]

Who Should be Your Officiant: A JP or Your Best Friend

Friend officiating wedding ceremony

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 […]

Partnerships

We form strategic partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations that share our goal of supporting marriage officiants with the performance of their duties. Doing so allows us to broaden our strength and influence, and be a more effective leader and representative for our members. Public Agencies Secretary of State’s offices & Town Clerks The Secretary of State‘s offices and town clerks are important stakeholders to us, and our natural partners. Their role complements that of officiants in marriage’s legal process. Working together benefits all parties, because it improves communication. Connecting couples with our members is our core service. So, we are […]

Engaging MA Legislators: Oct. 1, 2019

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight On October 1, 2019, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing on the Resolve to evaluate the One Day Solemnizer rule. This hearing was in response to JPus’ members concerns, conveyed through JPus’ January 2019 white paper. Senator Julian Cyr sponsored a Resolve to create a commission study on the One-Day Solemnizer rule. JPus and the Town Clerk Association would be members of the Commission. To be successful, JPs and town clerks will need to engage legislators. Call Committee Chairs and let them know you support the […]