What requirement does the Full Faith and Credit Clause impose on states?

The Full Faith and Credit Clause, found in Article IV, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, mandates that each state must recognize and honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. This requirement promotes legal consistency and unity across state lines, ensuring that legal judgments and official documents are respected no matter where they originated.

This principle is fundamental for fostering cooperation among states and ensuring that citizens can rely on legal commitments made in one state being honored in another. For example, if a couple gets married in one state, other states are required to recognize that marriage, as it reflects the official proceedings and records maintained by the state where the marriage occurred.

The other options do not accurately reflect the specific requirements of the Full Faith and Credit Clause. Recognizing federal laws or laws across all states implies a broader scope that this clause does not cover, and mandates for equal representation in state legislatures address entirely different constitutional principles.