Legal Definitions - Full Faith and Credit Clause

The Full Faith and Credit Clause is a provision in the United States Constitution, specifically in Article IV, Section 1. This clause requires states to recognize and give legal effect to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

For example, if a couple gets married in one state, that marriage is recognized as valid in all other states. Similarly, if a person has a driver's license issued in one state, they can use that license to legally drive in any other state.

The Full Faith and Credit Clause helps to ensure that legal decisions made in one state are respected and enforced in other states. This promotes consistency and fairness in the legal system across the country.