What is a Justice of the Peace?
According to Wikipedia, A Justice of the Peace (JP) is a puisne judicial officer appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice and deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions. Justices of the Peace are appointed from the citizens of the jurisdiction in which they serve, and are (or were) usually not required to have a formal legal education in order to qualify for the office. Some jurisdictions have varying forms of training for JPs (for example Queensland Australia, and the UK). In Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, Justices of the Peace have the same general oath giving powers as a notary public.
Question: Can marriages be performed by justices of the peace anywhere in Connecticut?
Answer: A Justice of the Peace can perform a marriage in any town in Connecticut. The marriage license must be issued by the registrar of vital statistics in the town in which the marriage will take place.
Question: Can a justice of the peace perform marriages out of State?
Answer: No. The Justice of the Peace has jurisdiction only in Connecticut.
Question: Are blood test required in Connecticut in order to apply for a marriage license?
Answer: No blood test is required. Did you know that Connecticut was one of the last states to require premarital syphilis and rubella screening? The state finally heeded the counsel of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and repealed mandatory blood tests effective October 1, 2003.
Question: How long is a Marriage License valid in Connecticut.
Answer: The marriage license is valid and a ceremony may be performed within a period of not more than (65) sixty-five days after the date of a completed application.
Question: Do we need any witnesses present at our ceremony?
Answer: No. Connecticut law does not require that witnesses be present at your ceremony.
Question: Do we need rings?
Answer: No. While they are traditional, rings are not required.
Question: Can we select our own vows?
Answer: Absolutely. I have a number of samples available from which you may choose. If you prefer, you can write your own words.
Question: Do we have to speak at the ceremony?
Answer: Only if you want to. You can get away with as little as just saying, I do.
Question: Can others be included in the ceremony?
Answer: Definitely. There are many ways to include family members and friends in the ceremony. For example, your loved ones can do readings, walk down the aisle, carry the rings, participate in a candle lighting, and more.
Question: Can we include both Christian and Jewish traditions?
Answer: Definitely. We can also include any other special traditions you desire, or we can omit any religious reference.
Question: Where can the ceremony be held?
Answer: Anywhere you want in the State of Connecticut - outdoors, at your home, in my home or at local town attractions. (Please check with local town officials for availability and requirements) The couple must apply for their license in the town in which the ceremony was to take place. The couple does not have to appear together at the Town Clerk's office to apply for the license.
After the ceremony, I will return the completed license to the town where the marriage took place by the first week of the month following the marriage. I will most often return the license to the Town Hall by the next business day.
