Full Faith And Credit Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Full Faith And Credit, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Full Faith And Credit?

(n) Full Faith And Credit is the requirement contained in the Statute, which stipulate the observance of faith in the public Acts, Judgments etc formed by the authority derived from the Statute, by all its States and Constituents. Article IV. (1) of US constitution says “Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state.

History and Meaning of Full Faith And Credit

The Full Faith and Credit Clause is an important part of the United States Constitution. It requires all state governments to respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states. This means that if a court in one state issues a judgment or decree, that judgment must be recognized and enforced by the courts in all other states. The clause was included in the Constitution to ensure that disputes would be handled fairly and consistently across the country.

Examples of Full Faith And Credit

  1. A couple gets married in one state and later decides to divorce in another state. The court in the second state must recognize the validity of the couple's marriage and grant the divorce according to the laws of the first state.
  2. A judgment is issued in one state against a debtor, who then moves to a different state. The creditor can have the judgment enforced in the new state through the legal principle of Full Faith and Credit.
  3. A person has a driver's license from one state and moves to a different state. The new state must honor the driver's license from the original state and allow the person to drive legally.

Legal Terms Similar to Full Faith And Credit

  • Comity: This is the principle that one jurisdiction will give deference and respect to the laws and judicial decisions of another jurisdiction based on mutual respect and reciprocity.
  • Conflict of Laws: This area of law deals with disputes involving different legal systems or jurisdictions. The Full Faith and Credit Clause is closely related to conflict of laws principles.
  • Jurisdiction: This term refers to the authority of a court or government to hear and decide legal cases. The Full Faith and Credit Clause ensures that the jurisdiction of one state is respected by all other states.