Ind. Marion Cnty. Small Cl. Local Rule LR49-SC00-703

A. The Judge solely at his/her own discretion may perform weddings as a free service to the

public on Court premises at any time. The Judge may perform weddings for a reasonable fee

(“paid wedding”), so long as the ceremony is performed off Court premises and does not

take place during the “regular office hours” of the Court, as defined by Rule 104 of these

Rules.

B. Court staff shall be provided by the Judge with a written statement of his/her availability to

conduct paid and/or free weddings to be given to persons inquiring about the same. If the

inquirer desires a free wedding, Court staff may schedule the wedding or do any other task

related to preparing for and conducting of the ceremony. If the inquirer desires a paid

wedding, the staff shall do nothing other than providing the inquirer with information for

contacting the Judge outside of Court. The staff shall not recommend any particular

officiant, including the Judge, to perform a paid wedding. The staff providing the inquirer

with the information for contacting the Judge outside of Court shall not be considered

recommending any particular officiant including the Judge.

C. The Court may publicize the availability of free weddings to the public by brochure, social

media or any other means of communication.

D. If the Judge chooses to advertise his/her services as a paid wedding officiant, he/she is only

permitted to advertise his title and the township he serves. Any further information referring

to his status as a judge such as pictures in judicial attire is strictly prohibited.

E. The Judge shall not solicit any public official or public employee to publicize his

availability to perform weddings for a fee, but may solicit such publicity regarding his

availability to perform weddings free.

F. Once the Judge becomes full-time, they are prohibited from performing weddings for a fee.

G. Each Judge has the discretion to perform weddings or not perform weddings.

Citations(s):

REPORT ON THE MARION COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS COURT, FINDINGS OF FACT F

(64)-(65), P.15.

REPORT ON THE MARION COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS COURT, PART C

COMPLEMENTARY REFORM 9, and P.30.

Comment: Officiating at weddings is a minor activity in all of the Small Claims Courts, except in

Center Township. Wedding fees have been a substantial source of personal income for Center

Township judges since the inception of the Small Claims system more than forty (40) years ago.

Moreover, Justices of the Peace performed weddings for a fee for many years before they were

replaced by the current system. Changing views on the propriety of public officials accepting

fees as compensation and increases in the revenue derived from wedding fees require a

reevaluation of this practice. For these reasons, the Rule follows the Task Force

recommendation and requires that wedding fees for weddings performed in the Court or on

Court time be deposited in the Township General Fund.

Adopted Oct. 15, 2012, effective March 1, 2013, amended effective October 5, 2015