Final answer:
Each state is required to recognize civil judgments of courts in other states due to the 'full faith and credit clause' in Article IV, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which has been a significant aspect in cases like Obergefell v. Hodges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The full faith and credit clause of the United States Constitution, found in Article IV, Section 1, mandates that each state must recognize civil judgments of courts from other states. This constitutional provision ensures the respect and acknowledgment of public acts, records, and judicial proceedings across the nation.
Notably, issues related to the full faith and credit clause have arisen prominently in cases involving same-sex marriage, exemplified by the landmark 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The clause further stipulates that Congress has the authority to regulate how these acts, records, and proceedings are acknowledged and enforced across state borders, thereby establishing a framework for the recognition of legal decisions and processes throughout the United States.