What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause ensure between states?

The Full Faith and Credit Clause, found in Article IV, Section 1 of the United States Constitution, ensures that each state must recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. This is primarily aimed at facilitating the enforcement of judgments across state lines. Therefore, the correct answer relates directly to the requirement that legal decisions made in one state should be honored and enforced in another state, helping maintain consistency and reliability in the legal process.

The clause promotes legal harmony among states, as it prevents individuals from escaping legal responsibilities by moving to a different state. For example, if a court in one state issues a judgment regarding custody or financial obligations, other states are compelled to acknowledge and enforce that judgment. This principle is foundational to the cooperation and mutual respect among states, aiding in legal consistency in a federal system.

While recognition of state laws is important, the Full Faith and Credit Clause specifically focuses on the recognition and enforcement of judicial decisions rather than state legislation itself. Federal supremacy deals with the hierarchy of laws between states and the federal government, which is unrelated to the specifics of how states must interact concerning judicial proceedings. Interstate commerce regulation, while vital for trade and economic activities between states, falls under different constitutional provisions and does not pertain to