What clause requires states to recognize the validity of laws in other states?

The clause that mandates states to recognize the validity of laws and judicial proceedings from other states is known as the Full Faith and Credit Clause. This principle is enshrined in Article IV, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution. Its primary purpose is to ensure that legal agreements, court rulings, and public records are upheld across state lines, fostering legal consistency and cooperation among states within the union.

This clause is particularly significant in matters such as divorce decrees, child custody decisions, and property ownership, where differing state laws could create confusion or conflicts if each state operated independently without regard for the judicial decisions and laws of others. By establishing this requirement, the Full Faith and Credit Clause helps to maintain a degree of order and predictability in the law as individuals move and interact between different states, which is essential for a functioning federal system.

The other options describe different constitutional principles and do not pertain to the recognition of laws among states. The Commerce Clause relates to the regulation of interstate commerce, the Privileges and Immunities Clause addresses the rights of citizens when traveling between states, and the Supremacy Clause establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law, but none of these specifically ensure the validity of laws across state boundaries in the manner provided