Question

In this hypothetical situation, Donald and his college girlfriend Melania are visiting Las Vegas on a field trip from their university math club back in Texas (they both are statistics majors). Donald and Melania were high school sweethearts, are both 21 and about to graduate from Trump University. After winning a million dollars in the casinos based on the mathematical formulas Donald developed, they decide to get married in Las Vegas. Nevada's laws allow for quick marriages and divorces. After getting married before a Nevada justice-of-the-peace dressed as Elvis in the "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love Chapel," they return home to Texas, husband and wife. Their parents, who'd wanted them to marry in a big church wedding, question the legality of their marriage. Are Melinda and Bill, who were legally married in the State of Nevada, now also married in the State of Texas?

Answer 1

Answer: Yes, they are legally married because of the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Explanation:

There is a clause in the United States constitution that states people can marry in another state and is legally binding unless there is a public policy in place in the state. If a person marries in Las Vegas and gets a marriage certificate, the marriage is valid in any state including Texas.

The requirements to marry in Las Vegas are not as restricting as some states. There is no blood test needed, no waiting period, and as long as the adults are consenting and over the age of 18 they can legally wed.