full faith and credit

American  

noun

1. the obligation under Article IV of the U.S. Constitution for each state to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

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Example Sentences

It’s unclear whether other lawmakers will be willing to tie the full faith and credit of the state to an industry that’s still proving itself.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Moody’s said the Aa2 rating on the city’s general obligation bonds is the same as New York City’s issuer rating given the “city’s full faith and credit pledge to pay the bonds.”

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Treasury bills, bonds or notes, though those are backed “by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government,” according to the FDIC.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 27, 2026

The case ultimately reached the Supreme Court, which reaffirmed that states didn’t have an obligation, under the full faith and credit clause, to enforce penal judgments.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

Full Faith and Credit.—First of all, each state must give full faith and credit to the acts, judicial proceedings, and records of the other states.

From Government in the United States National, State and Local by Garner, James Wilford