Committee eyes bill on judge’s fees for marriages

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001 | 11:09 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- A bill to raise the fee for a justice of the peace to perform a marriage was questioned by an Assembly committee today. One panel member said the justices get good tips for their services.

Carson City Justice of the Peace John Tatro told the Assembly Judiciary Committee the bill would boost the fee from $35 to $50. The fee hasn't been increased in 10 years. The proposed hike is mainly to help the justices in rural Nevada, who sometimes must travel an hour to perform a wedding and then return. The $35 fee, Tatro said, doesn't cover expenses.

Going to a wedding at a private home can take three hours and the ceremony often begins late, Tatro said.

"The bride can't get her hair right or the groom can't find his shoes," he said.

But Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko, said, "I have a problem raising the fee to get married. I don't think the judges travel too far." The couple goes to the courthouse to get the license and the judge is stationed there.

The justices knew what the fees were when they ran for re-election and "in most cases they get tipped pretty good," Carpenter said.