Connecticut joined Massachusetts as one of two states in the U.S. to perform marriages of same-sex couples on November 12, 2008. Connecticut was the third state to do so, but only the second where the decision was not repealed.
The state enacted a civil union law in 2005 that provides same-sex couples with the same rights and responsibilities under state law as marriage. Connecticut became the second state in the United States (following Vermont) to adopt civil unions, and the first to do so without judicial intervention. The bill was passed by the House on April 13, and by the Senate on April 20. Governor Jodi Rell (a moderate Republican) signed the bill into law later the same day, and it went into effect on October 1, 2005.
The decision to provide for civil unions and not same-sex marriage was controversial and was challenged in the state’s courts. On October 10, 2008, the Supreme Court of Connecticut, in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, ruled that failing to give same-sex couples the full rights, responsibilities and name of marriage was against the equal protection clause of the state’s constitution, and ordered same-sex marriage legalized.
On October 1, 2010, all existing civil unions were automatically transformed into marriages.
OFFICIANTS
A CT Justice of the Peace
Weddings, Civil Unions, Vow Renewels. Make your day the best it can be!!!
CT’s TOP Justice of The Peace”- Same Sex Marriage Legal in CT
Get married in one day in CT- No residency requirements
Always and Forever
Justice of the Peace -Wedding Officiant, your day should be as unique and special as you are !!
Blessed Events
Rev Stephanie Cypher, an inter-faith minister available for weddings, handfastings, commitment ceremonies, blessingways, baby blessings, funerals and other rites of passage.
Celebrate Your Day Your Way!
Your love is unique and your ceremony will be also!
Connecticut Clergy
Justice of the Peace, Connecticut in partnership with Non-denominational minister to provide the exact service you may wish, and in your budget.
Maureen Davis CT Justice
Your Ceremony, Your Way. Justice of the Peace in Danbury, CT.
Rev. Michael J. Scarlett New England Minister
Our ministry is non-denominational serving all faiths.
2002-R-0850 October 15, 2002 Persons authorized to perform marriages.
History of Civil Marriage in Connecticut: Selected Changes
Year – Officiating Authority
1792 – Magistrates, justices of the peace within their territorial jurisdiction, and ordained ministers in the county where they are settled in the work of the ministry
1888 – All judges, justices of the peace, and ordained or licensed clergymen from Connecticut or any other state so long as they continue in the work of the ministry; but all marriages that are solemnized according to the forms and usages of any religious denomination in the state are valid
1930 – Same as in 1888 (above)
2002 – All judges and retired judges, family support magistrates, state referees, justices of the peace anywhere in the state; all ordained or licensed clergymen from Connecticut or any other state so long as they continue in the work of the ministry; all marriages solemnized according to the forms and usages of any religious denomination in this state, including marriages witnessed by a duly constituted Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is
2006-R-0322 May 2, 2006 License to perform marriage
License to perform marriage
By: Adam Wolkoff, Legislative Fellow
You asked if a recently ordained minister must obtain a state or municipal license to perform marriages.
The answer is no. State law does not require a minister to obtain a license to perform marriages. Rather, the statutes state that “all ordained or licensed clergymen, belonging to this state or any other state, so long as they continue in the work of the ministry” may perform marriages (CGS § 46b-22).
As we indicated in a previous report, very little case law has interpreted this provision in Connecticut (see OLR Report 2003-R-0490). Generally, as long as the minister’s religion permits him to perform the ceremony, the state will recognize the validity of the marriage. We do not know of any cases where a Connecticut court has annulled or declared a marriage void based on the clergyman’s qualifications.