Full, faith, and credit-a. states are required to give full, faith, and credit to papers and legal decisions made in other states. marriage has generally been considered part of the full, faith, and credit provisions. historically some states had refused to accept mixed racial marriages if their own state did not allow it. today, states may not accept same-sex marriage. the federal law known as the defense of marriage act explicitly excludes same-sex marriage from the full, faith, and credits provision. however, it still remains to be seen whether the courts will accept this act as constitutional .