Which clause requires states to honor court documents from other states?

The Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution is the provision that requires each state to recognize and respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Found in Article IV, Section 1, this clause is essential for ensuring legal consistency and cooperation between states, particularly in matters such as court judgments, marriage licenses, and other official documents.

This principle fosters a sense of unity and legal continuity among states, allowing individuals to have their court judgments enforced across state lines, which is crucial in a federation composed of semi-autonomous entities. In practice, it means that if a person has a legal obligation, such as a court decision or a divorce decree in one state, other states are required to honor that ruling, creating a reliable legal framework.

Regarding the other clauses mentioned, the Supremacy Clause addresses the relationship between state laws and federal laws, the Equal Protection Clause relates to the protection of individual rights against discrimination, and the Citizenship Clause defines citizenship rights. While all these clauses play significant roles within the Constitution, it is the Full Faith and Credit Clause that directly ensures that court documents are recognized and honored across state borders.