Full Faith and Credit for Dummies

Abstract

This article discusses the history of the Full Faith and Credit Clause, the original meaning of the clause, and the courts’ evolving interpretation of the clause. Within this discussion, the author explains the test for whether and how a state can constitutionally apply its own law to cases involving multi-state elements. This test and the Full Faith and Credit Clause are analyzed further through hypotheticals in the context of same-sex marriage. The article ends with an analysis of the effect of DOMA on these issues.

Keywords: Full-Faith and Credit Clause, judgments, public acts, statutes, evidence, same-sex marriage