Justice of the Peace for Wedding

From LoveToKnow Weddings

Hiring a Justice of the Peace for wedding nuptials is becoming more and more common as couples look for a way to find common ground in both life and faith.

A justice of the peace can perform wedding ceremonies.

What is a Justice of the Peace?

In some parts of the United States, a Justice of the Peace is a court judge with lessened legal privileges. They are often sometimes known as magistrates or even a solicitor general. These officials are able to settle minor disputes in small claims court cases and often preside over these “mini” court hearings. Justices of the Peace also have the authority to perform wedding ceremonies and administer oaths to marrying couples.

Since a Justice of the Peace is appointed by the law rather than by a specific church or denomination, they are often used in secular weddings and also in alternative situations such as a same sex marriage. As these civil ceremonies become more common, the demand for Justices has increased as churches have the right and authority to refuse to perform such a ceremony if they do not agree with it morally.

Some states have eliminated the Justice of the Peace position, while it is still very prominent in other regions. It all depends upon your state’s individual laws and requirements, as well as the appointed duties of your local Justice.

Hiring a Justice of the Peace for Wedding Nuptials

Thanks to online directories, it is easier than ever to find a Justice of the Peace for wedding ceremonies. You can still look in your local yellow pages directory or call the courthouse to obtain information about your local Justices, but clicking through a directory is a much more time-efficient and simple way to find what you’re searching for. Many websites, such as Find a JP, specialize in providing directories of Justices in a designated area, as well as allowing you to filter search results by typing in specific keywords of what you would like.

Currently, the site covers areas of the United States where Justices are still a popular option, or where same sex wedding ceremonies are legalized. These include Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas, and Vermont. Other states are quickly legalizing civil unions, and the list is sure to grow as the political agendas in many states are focused on equal rights for all couples regardless of gender and sexual orientation.

Nevada also has a fair number of Justice of the Peaces, as Vegas continues to be home to elopements and spontaneous nuptials. A fine website to visit is the homepage of Esmeralda County, Nevada, which clearly describes the duties of the Justices located in Nevada, as well as contact information.

What You Can Expect

What exactly can you expect from a Justice of the Peace for wedding traditions? First and foremost, a justice will be there to perform a legal wedding ceremony, as dictated by your home state. They will not necessarily hold fast to a certain religion, which is why they are popular for secular ceremonies. They are also open to more unconventional ceremony aspects, and often advertise themselves as the officiant for all weddings, regardless of creed, nationality, or sexual orientation. This makes them very appealing to groups already weary from what they perceive as being judged and shunned by the mainstream community.

Justice of the Peaces are no longer strictly associated with courthouse nuptials that are casual and brief. A Justice is able to perform their duties at any sort of celebration. Check out The Wedding Wizards for a further explanation of these unique individuals who can help you on your big day, providing you with a beautiful ceremony you will remember for a lifetime.

A Justice of the Peace can perform wedding ceremonies in many states, and their services may be preferred for couples who wish to have a more secular and less religion-oriented event. Whatever the reason for choosing a Justice of the Peace, no matter who conducts the ceremony the couple is sure to have a memorable and happy day by choosing an event that reflects who they truly are.

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