Santa Fe County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Santa Fe County?

Public records in Santa Fe County are defined as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, recordings, tapes, electronic data, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received in connection with the transaction of public business. This definition is established under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) § 14-2-6, which governs public access to government records throughout the state.

Santa Fe County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the First Judicial District Court serving Santa Fe County
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and committees
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans

The Santa Fe County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many of these records, particularly those related to real estate, marriage licenses, and voting. Other records are maintained by specific departments, such as the County Assessor's Office for property assessments, the Treasurer's Office for tax records, and the Planning and Land Use Department for zoning information.

Is Santa Fe County an Open Records County?

Santa Fe County fully adheres to New Mexico's open records laws, specifically the Inspection of Public Records Act § 14-2-1, which establishes that "every person has a right to inspect public records of this state." This commitment to transparency is fundamental to the county's operations and governance.

The Act explicitly states that "all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees." This provision underscores the presumption of openness that guides public records access in Santa Fe County and throughout New Mexico.

Santa Fe County has implemented specific procedures to comply with state requirements, including the designation of records custodians within each department and established timelines for responding to public records requests. The county maintains a dedicated public records portal to facilitate citizen access to government information.

In addition to IPRA, Santa Fe County also complies with New Mexico's Open Meetings Act § 10-15-1, which requires that the deliberations and actions of public bodies be conducted openly. Together, these laws ensure that county government operations remain transparent and accessible to the public.

How to Find Public Records in Santa Fe County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Santa Fe County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Submit a formal request through the county's online public records portal. This system allows requestors to specify the records sought and track the status of their requests.
Visit the appropriate county office in person during regular business hours:
- For real estate records, marriage licenses, and voting information, visit the County Clerk's Office
- For property assessment records, visit the County Assessor's Office
- For court records, visit the First Judicial District Court
Access online databases maintained by various county departments:
- The ClerkTrack Web system provides online access to recorded documents
- The County Assessor's property database offers information on property values and ownership
- The First Judicial District Court provides access to certain court records
Submit a written request by mail to the appropriate department. Written requests must include the requestor's name, address, telephone number, and a description of the records sought.

When requesting records, individuals should be as specific as possible about the information they seek. Pursuant to § 14-2-8 of the IPRA, custodians must respond to requests within three business days, either by providing the requested records or explaining when the records will be available (within 15 calendar days).

For specialized records, the following departments should be contacted:

Property tax records: County Treasurer's Office
Building permits and zoning records: Growth Management Department
Law enforcement records: Sheriff's Office or appropriate municipal police department
Court records: First Judicial District Court Clerk

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Santa Fe County?

Santa Fe County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 14-2-9 of the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, which permits reasonable charges for copying and transmission of public records.

The current fee structure for public records in Santa Fe County includes:

Paper copies: $0.50 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Large format documents (maps, plats, etc.): $3.00 per page
Digital copies provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
Electronic transmission (email): No charge for records already in electronic format
Certified copies: Additional $1.00 per document certification

For specialized records, additional fees may apply:

Marriage licenses: $25.00
Recording fees for real estate documents: $25.00 for the first page, $10.00 for each additional page
Court records: Fees vary according to the First Judicial District Court fee schedule

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards. Online payments are available for certain services through the county's web portal.

It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, the inspection of public records is free of charge. Additionally, pursuant to § 14-2-9(C), a records custodian may waive fees if doing so is in the public interest because providing the records primarily benefits the general public.

Does Santa Fe County Have Free Public Records?

Santa Fe County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with state law. Under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act § 14-2-9, all citizens have the right to inspect public records at no cost, though fees may be charged for copies or transmission of those records.

The following records are available for free inspection at their respective county offices:

County Commission meeting minutes and agendas at the County Manager's Office
Property assessment records at the County Assessor's Office
Voter registration information (with certain limitations) at the County Clerk's Office
County budgets and financial reports at the Finance Department
Building permits and zoning information at the Growth Management Department

Additionally, Santa Fe County provides free online access to several record types through its official website:

The County Clerk's public records portal offers access to certain recorded documents
County Commission meeting agendas and minutes are available through the county's website
The County's GIS mapping system provides property boundary and zoning information

The First Judicial District Court also maintains a public access terminal where court records may be viewed free of charge, though printing fees may apply.

Citizens should note that while inspection is free, staff time spent searching for or compiling records may incur charges if the request is extensive or requires significant resources.

Who Can Request Public Records in Santa Fe County?

Under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act § 14-2-1, "every person" has the right to inspect public records in Santa Fe County. This broad eligibility extends to:

New Mexico residents
Non-residents and out-of-state requestors
Business entities and organizations
Media representatives
Government agencies

The law does not require requestors to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Explain how the information will be used
Be a New Mexico resident

However, certain restrictions apply to specific record types:

Voter registration records: While basic voter information is public, access to certain details may be restricted under federal and state law
Law enforcement records: Active investigation records may be exempt from disclosure
Personnel records: Access may be limited to protect employee privacy
Medical records: Protected under HIPAA and generally not available without authorization
Juvenile court records: Generally confidential under state law

When requesting records that contain both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder, pursuant to § 14-2-9(A) of the IPRA.

For individuals seeking their own records, additional identification may be required to verify identity, particularly for vital records, court documents, or other sensitive information.

What Records Are Confidential in Santa Fe County?

While Santa Fe County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act § 14-2-1(A) and other applicable laws. These confidential records include:

Law enforcement records related to ongoing investigations
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Personnel records containing personal identifying information, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions
Juvenile court records and proceedings
Sealed court records including certain domestic relations cases
Attorney-client privileged communications between the county and its legal counsel
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Records protected by executive privilege
Critical infrastructure information that could compromise public safety
Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifying data
Victim information in domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases
Child abuse and neglect records
Adoption records
Records containing information that would impair present or imminent contract awards

The determination of confidentiality often requires a balancing test, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests or other protected values. Under § 14-2-9(A), when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder.

Citizens should note that exemptions are narrowly construed, and the burden of proving that a record should be withheld rests with the county. The New Mexico Attorney General's Office provides oversight of IPRA compliance and can review disputed denials of access.

Santa Fe County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Santa Fe County Clerk's Office
102 Grant Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 986-6280
Santa Fe County Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Division Services:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate documents
Marriage licenses
Fictitious business name statements
Military discharge records (DD-214)
Public records research assistance

Additional Service Locations:

Santa Fe County Clerk's Edgewood Office
114 Quail Trail
Edgewood, NM 87015
(505) 986-6280
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

First Judicial District Court Clerk
225 Montezuma Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 455-8250
First Judicial District Court
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Santa Fe County Assessor's Office
102 Grant Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 986-6300
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Lookup Public Records in Santa Fe County

Research and access public records through the Santa Fe County Clerk's Office

Search recorded documents online using the Santa Fe County ClerkTrack Web system

Request public information through the Santa Fe County Attorney's Office portal

Access court records for Santa Fe County through the First Judicial District Court

Find information about marriage licenses and document recording at the Santa Fe County Clerk's website