Bill Text: NJ A4504 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes issuance of certificate for additional persons to solemnize marriage.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-11-25 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee [A4504 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A4504-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes issuance of certificate for additional persons to solemnize marriage.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the solemnization of marriage and amending R.S. 37:1-13.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S. 37:1-13 is amended to read as follows:
37:1-13. Authorization to solemnize marriages and civil unions.
Each judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, each judge of a federal district court, United States magistrate, judge of a municipal court, judge of the Superior Court, judge of a tax court, retired judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, or judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, the former County Court, the former County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, or the former County District Court who has resigned in good standing, surrogate of any county, county clerk and any mayor or the deputy mayor when authorized by the mayor, or chairman of any township committee or village president of this State, and every minister of every religion, are hereby authorized to solemnize marriages or civil unions between such persons as may lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation or civil union; and every religious society, institution or organization in this State may join together in marriage or civil union such persons according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization.
In addition, the Governor may designate any other person to solemnize a particular marriage or civil union on a particular date and in a particular city or town, and may for cause at any time revoke such designation. The Secretary of State, upon receipt of payment of twenty-five dollars from such person, shall issue a certificate to solemnize a marriage or civil union to such person. The certificate shall expire upon completion of the solemnization of the marriage.
(cf: P.L. 2006, c.103, s.17)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
At present, R.S. 37:1-13 enumerates persons authorized to solemnize marriages and civil unions. These persons include judges, county officials and "every minister of every religion." This bill would authorize the governor to designate any other person to solemnize a particular marriage or civil union on a particular date and in a particular city or town, and provides that for cause, the designation may be revoked. Under the bill, the Secretary of State, upon receipt of payment of twenty-five dollars from an applicant, shall issue a certificate. The certificate shall expire upon completion of the solemnization of the marriage.
This bill is based upon an amendment to a Massachusetts statute, designating persons authorized to solemnize marriage.
