The main duty of a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace is to solemnize marriages. They can, however, be asked to perform certain other specific duties. All of this is explored in more detail below, along with details about how someone becomes a JP in the Commonwealth and what they need to know.
Every JP is appointed by the MA Governor for a seven year terms, subject to advice and consent provided by his Executive Council. JPs can only be chosen for their own municipality where they have a residence. They can, however, officiate over marriages anywhere in Massachusetts.
One JP may be appointed for every 5,000 residents in a municipality. Only persons with a good moral character and active in community affairs may apply. Their application must have signatures from at least five prominent community members. JPs are also expected to be familiar with the regulations that govern their own conduct and responsibilities.
Apart from solemnizing marriages, they may be required to administer oaths of office required by law and take acknowledgements similar to a notary public. They may also administer written interrogatories for taking depositions. The fees that can be charged by a JP for each of these non-marital functions are clearly defined under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The allowed maximum fee for solemnizing a marriage is $100 if the wedding ceremony is in the same municipality as the JP. If called to other municipalities, they can ask for a maximum of $150. These fees are not inclusive of additional charges applicable for a rehearsal, prenuptial counseling session and other add-on services the couple may ask for.
JPs normally travel on their own to the place where the ceremony is to be conducted. There is no requirement that any specific words have to be used to solemnize marriages. Both parties to the wedding must clearly state they accept the other as a spouse, and the JP then announces the marriage to be legal in his or her capacity as authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
There are certain delicate aspects that need to be touched on here. For instance, JPs are not allowed to advertise their availability for marriages. Unlike other service providers, they cannot place advertisements in newspapers, magazines and other publications. However, finding a JP is not hard because the official database maintained by the Secretary of State's Office can be searched online to get hold of a list of JPs in a specific town, city or region.
It is also illegal for a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace to refuse a couple seeking to get married. The only exception is if the couple is barred by law from getting married in the Commonwealth. JPs also get many couples who ask them to provide the marriage license. This is possible only if the city/town hall clerk and JP duties are being handled by the same person. Note that there is a three-day wait period required for couples who apply for a marriage license in the Commonwealth.
Every JP is appointed by the MA Governor for a seven year terms, subject to advice and consent provided by his Executive Council. JPs can only be chosen for their own municipality where they have a residence. They can, however, officiate over marriages anywhere in Massachusetts.
One JP may be appointed for every 5,000 residents in a municipality. Only persons with a good moral character and active in community affairs may apply. Their application must have signatures from at least five prominent community members. JPs are also expected to be familiar with the regulations that govern their own conduct and responsibilities.
Apart from solemnizing marriages, they may be required to administer oaths of office required by law and take acknowledgements similar to a notary public. They may also administer written interrogatories for taking depositions. The fees that can be charged by a JP for each of these non-marital functions are clearly defined under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The allowed maximum fee for solemnizing a marriage is $100 if the wedding ceremony is in the same municipality as the JP. If called to other municipalities, they can ask for a maximum of $150. These fees are not inclusive of additional charges applicable for a rehearsal, prenuptial counseling session and other add-on services the couple may ask for.
JPs normally travel on their own to the place where the ceremony is to be conducted. There is no requirement that any specific words have to be used to solemnize marriages. Both parties to the wedding must clearly state they accept the other as a spouse, and the JP then announces the marriage to be legal in his or her capacity as authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
There are certain delicate aspects that need to be touched on here. For instance, JPs are not allowed to advertise their availability for marriages. Unlike other service providers, they cannot place advertisements in newspapers, magazines and other publications. However, finding a JP is not hard because the official database maintained by the Secretary of State's Office can be searched online to get hold of a list of JPs in a specific town, city or region.
It is also illegal for a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace to refuse a couple seeking to get married. The only exception is if the couple is barred by law from getting married in the Commonwealth. JPs also get many couples who ask them to provide the marriage license. This is possible only if the city/town hall clerk and JP duties are being handled by the same person. Note that there is a three-day wait period required for couples who apply for a marriage license in the Commonwealth.
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