ASSEMBLY, No. 2928

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 5, 1997

By Assemblymen RUSSO, CARABALLO and Zisa

An Act concerning the solemnization of marriages 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.     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 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 marriage between such persons as may lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation; and every religious society, institution or organization in this State may join together in marriage such persons according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization.

(cf:P.L.1993, c. 324)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill permits judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to solemnize marriages. It amends R.S. 37:1-13 to include these federal circuit judges among those permitted to solemnize marriage. Currently the statute permits federal district court judges and U.S. magistrates to solemnize marriage in addition to New Jersey Superior Court or Tax Court judges, municipal judges

surrogates, county clerks, certain local officials, ministers and religious organizations.

Includes judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit among persons permitted to solemnize marriage.