What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause (Article IV) require?

The Full Faith and Credit Clause, found in Article IV of the U.S. Constitution, requires that each state must recognize and uphold the laws, court decisions, and legal proceedings of every other state. This ensures that legal matters, such as divorce decrees, contracts, and public records, are respected regardless of where a person is within the United States.

For example, if a couple gets divorced in one state, that divorce must be recognized by all other states. This promotes legal consistency and ensures that individuals do not circumvent laws simply by moving to a different state, thus providing stability and trust in the legal system across state lines.

While other options might pertain to the functions and powers of states in different contexts, they do not accurately reflect the meaning and purpose of the Full Faith and Credit Clause. This particular clause fundamentally aids in maintaining the unity of the legal framework among the states, reinforcing the federal system established by the Constitution.