What is a “Justice of the Peace” and how do I find one?
Beware! There are many wedding ministers in L.A. County who claim to be Justices of the Peace–that is, active or retired State judges or commissioners of the court who are empowered to perform weddings as civil officiants–who DO NOT hold those credentials! In order for an officiant to sign your marriage license as “JOP” they must have served in the State courts. If having a civil officiant is important to you, check your officiant’s credentials carefully. In our experience, real judges love performing weddings because it’s about the only fun they get to have. Since many more couples are seeking non-religious ceremonies, many think they will be more comfortable with someone who is credentialed as a civil officiant and they would prefer not to have a “religious” signature on their marriage license. As a result, there are some officiants who claim–either knowingly and fraudulently, or out of ignorance of state law–that they are Justices of the Peace and can sign a marriage license tha
