20 December 2018
Following a rigorous selection and training process, fourteen Authorised Civil Celebrants will be sworn in at the Royal Court tomorrow (Friday, 20 December), giving them authority to conduct wedding ceremonies at any non-religious licensed venue in Jersey.
The celebrants will offer a brand new service for Islanders, following an amendment to the law governing marriage in Jersey on 1 July 2018. Previously, only staff employed by the Office of the Superintendent Registrar and religious officials have been authorised to conduct wedding ceremonies. The decision to create these new roles was made following public consultation and to allow the public to choose their own wedding celebrant.
The celebrants were recruited based on a number of criteria, including:
- understanding and appreciation of the solemn and dignified legal process of getting married
- diversity – giving couples a range of celebrants to choose from to suit their wedding style and preferences
- relevant experience, such as public speaking
- commitment to the role of Authorised Civil Celebrant
All the celebrants will operate as independent businesses, with responsibility for setting their own fees and schedules, although they will be regulated by the Superintendent Registrar on behalf of the States of Jersey. Information on all the Authorised Civil Celebrants along with their contact details can be found on www.gov.je/registrar. One additional Authorised Civil Celebrant will be sworn in on 4 January, at which point her details will also be added to the website.
Claire Follain, Superintendent Registrar, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new civil celebrants and wish them all the very best in their new appointment. I am particularly pleased to be able to offer the general public a diverse range of celebrants from different backgrounds and walks of life to solemnise local weddings.
"Authorised Civil Celebrants have an essential, unique and responsible role in the lives of couples choosing to marry in Jersey. Their appointment is not only a personal milestone for them but is great for the public and Jersey as a whole. We had a high level of interest in the role of and now have a strong set of celebrants whose skills make them ideal for this position. This not only enriches the options available to local couples but also makes Jersey a more interesting place to host a ‘destination wedding’, helping to attract more visitors to the Island.”
Couples currently planning their wedding are invited to meet the Authorised Civil Celebrants on Thursday 31 January in the concourse of the Jersey Museum. The event will take place from 5pm to 7pm and there is no charge to attend and no need to pre-register.
The Office of the Superintendent Registrar will continue to offer the services of the Superintendent Registrar and her Deputy to conduct wedding services in the Registry Office during normal working hours at no cost to couples.
gov.je