Access free New Mexico marriage records today to find licenses, certificates, and historical marital records.
Various matrimonial records are available to the public, but the key is knowing where to find them. This resource aims to make it convenient for searchers to find the marital information they’re looking for.
Many official agencies and online databases maintain vital records; these can be retrieved or viewed via in-person visits, mail requests, and online searches.
Can Anyone Access Marriage Records & Certificates in New Mexico?
Each county in New Mexico offers an online, searchable marriage record database that is available to the general public. Any individual may obtain information about any marriage that took place dating back to the mid-1800s for any purpose. However, this information is not available at the state level.
The New Mexico Court System has set up a database for Statutes and Court Rules that offers free, public access to all official state laws.1 According to Article 1, Marriage in General, § 40-1-15, all county clerks within the state are required to maintain and keep marriage, separation, and divorce records.
Marriage records for the state of New Mexico may be obtained for many purposes, including:
- Genealogy or research
- Proof of marriage
- Spousal benefits
- Immigration
- Tax purposes
- Estate planning
- Adoption
- Passport applications
- Joint financial needs
Third-party providers may be able to help individuals searching for recent or old marriage records in New Mexico or other states. However, unless these providers are endorsed by the state, county, or city, any records obtained may not be used for official purposes.
The United States Census Bureau provides an overview of marriage rates in New Mexico, including year-over-year trends, and other 2
For example, when researching marriage and divorce rates by state, the Census Bureau indicates that in 2011, 17.4 women out of every 1,000 in New Mexico were married. By 2021, that number decreased to 15.3 women out of every 1,000 in the state. Divorce rates also saw a decline, from 12.2 women out of every 1,000 in 2011 to 6.3 women out of every 1,000 in 2021.
How To Search New Mexico Marriage Records & See Who the Husband or Wife Is
In New Mexico, there is no statewide registration of marriage records. When a couple gets married, the record of their marriage is held in the county where the marriage took place permanently. This information is filed by the individual County Clerk, according to the CDC.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the state outsources some records information to VitalChek, which is authorized to expedite records.3
Looking Up Free Marriage Records on the County & City Levels in New Mexico
Because there are no marriage records available at the state level in New Mexico, researchers will need to conduct online searches or request records at the county level.
Bernalillo County is the most populous county in New Mexico. Individuals conducting a search for marriage records within the county can do so through the Bernalillo County Clerk website.4 Marriage application information for the county is available to the general public for all marriages from 1978 to the present day.
Individuals may purchase certified copies of all documents through the Bernalillo County Clerk website at a price of $3.00 each. All documents will be delivered via mail (USPS), fax, or email during regular business hours only (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm).
In the event that the option to purchase certified copies is not available online, or for those who wish to purchase official copies of marriage records in person, researchers should contact the County Clerk’s office directly using the information below:
Bernalillo County Clerk
415 Silver Ave. SW, 2nd Floor
Albuquerque, NM 87103-0542
(505) 468-1290
[email protected]
The second most populous county in the state is Doña Ana County. Individuals seeking information about marriage records within the county can find limited information available on the Doña Ana County Clerk page of the county’s website. Researchers can search anonymously or create an account, but the information available is the same in both instances. Marriage records date back to 1848.
Alternatively, individuals may fill out a Document Request Form and submit it electronically to request marriage record information.
Copies of marriage records in Doña Ana County may be requested in person at the County Clerk’s office or by phone or email for a fee of $1.00 per page. The cost for certified marriage licenses is $1.50. Interested parties can visit the Clerk’s office at the address below:
Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office
845 N. Motel Blvd.
Las Cruces, NM 88007
Please note that Doña Ana County does not publicly publish the County Clerk’s email address and all email messages must be sent through the county’s website (linked above).
The third most populous county in New Mexico is Santa Fe County. The Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office provides a searchable online marriage records database.6 Information on the Self-Service Portal is available to the general public, and marriage records may be obtained for a $1.00 fee.
Alternatively, searchers may choose the Index Search Option for in-person pickup by locating the instrument numbers of the necessary marriage record documents and emailing the numbers to [email protected]. Documents will be ready within two business days.
The Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office also provides three self-serve computers that are free for use by the general public during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm). Researchers may also request County Clerk staff assistance with searches for a fee of $30 for the first 15 minutes and $30 per hour for each hour after that.
Certified marriage licenses may be obtained at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office for a fee of $5.00.
Office of the Santa Fe County Clerk
100 Catron St.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Marital records can also be found at the city level in many cases. Some examples of these local search options are outlined below using some of the most populous cities in New Mexico.
The New Mexico city with the highest population is Albuquerque. The City of Albuquerque Clerk’s web page provides limited information regarding how to request marriage records from the city or Clerk’s Office directly.7 However, there is an option to Request a Public Record.
The site appears to direct researchers to the Bernalillo County website, however, it is possible to submit a request to inspect public records utilizing the ABQ Records Portal. Records may be requested and received in person, or by mail. No information is available regarding cost or fees.
Office of the Albuquerque City Clerk
600 2nd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1293
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Las Cruces, New Mexico is the second-largest city in the state by population. According to the Las Cruces City Clerk’s web page, this office does not provide access to marriage records to the general public.9 Instead, researchers are directed to contact the Doña Ana County Clerk’s office (linked above with their contact information).
Las Cruces City Clerk’s Office
700 N. Main St.
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 541-2115
Email: [email protected]
Rio Rancho is the third-largest city in New Mexico by population. The Rio Rancho City Clerk’s Office handles public records requests, though it may require researchers to contact the Sandoval County Clerk for information about marriage records.10
The city cites the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, which ensures each individual has the right to inspect the city’s public records.11
There are a few ways to view records. Researchers may complete the Public Records Form online, visit the web portal, send an email to the email address below, fax a request, or call the City Clerk to make the request over the phone. Copies are available for $0.25 per page or $0.50 for double-sided copies.
Rio Rancho City Clerk
3200 Civic Center Circle, Suite 150
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Phone: (505) 891-5004
Fax: (505) 994-2557
Email: [email protected]
Because the Rio Rancho website does not specifically address researching marriage records information, it is reasonable to assume this may only be found through Sandoval County.
The Sandoval County Clerk’s Office is the records administrator for all vital records in the county. Records requests may be made through the county’s Public Records Center and a fee of up to $1.00 per page will be charged before any records will be released.
Sandoval County Clerk’s Office
1500 Idalia Road, Building D
Bernalillo, NM 87004
(505) 867-7500
Email: [email protected]
Tracking Family Marriage Records Through Archived Indexes in New Mexico
The New Mexico Archives Online website provides information about marriage records for several counties in the state. The provided records date back to 1848, in some cases and include helpful information for tracking genealogy, divorces, and other related information.
Duplication of these documents is restricted or limited due to their age. Any questions regarding this database should be directed to:
New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
Archives and Historical Services Division
1205 Camino Carlos Rey
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-7908
Email: [email protected]
It is also possible to find older marriage records by sorting through:
- Old newspapers
- Church records
- Records of other religious organizations
- Historical Society records
New Mexico is also home to several genealogical libraries, which may contain older marital records.
Are Common Law Marriages Acknowledged in New Mexico?
According to the United States Social Security Administration, the state of New Mexico does not recognize common law marriages.13 However, the state does recognize these types of marriages if the union was valid and legal in the state in which the contract was made. There are additional types of marriage contracts that are permissible in New Mexico as well.
Same-sex marriage first became legal in New Mexico on December 19, 2013. Because of this change in the law, the state also began recognizing domestic partnerships among partners who choose to opt out of a traditional marriage relationship according to Senate Bill SB0183.
This agreement provided both partners with many of the same marital benefits that are available to couples in traditional marriages, such as access to health insurance. Domestic partners must be at least 18 years of age, not be married to anyone else, and not be related by blood.
How To Find Same-Sex Married Couples or Domestic Partnerships in New Mexico
According to Senate Bill SB0183, records for same-sex married couples and couples entering into domestic partnerships in New Mexico are to be kept and maintained by individual County Clerk’s offices.14
New Mexico does not keep or maintain any records on these unions at the state level. However, some cities that host records on marriages may also provide this information.
How To Request a Marriage License in New Mexico
It is not possible to request a marriage license from the state of New Mexico as all marriage licenses and requests for domestic partnerships must be obtained at the county level as stated on the Bernalillo County Clerk website.
All counties maintain the same fees and requirements before a marriage license or domestic partnership request will be provided.
It costs $25 to obtain a marriage license from any New Mexico State County Clerk’s Office, and this is payable by cash or credit card only in some counties. There are counties in the state that only accept cash payments.
In order to request a marriage license the following requirements must be met:
- Both partners must appear at the county clerk’s office.
- Both partners must be at a minimum of 18 years old.
- Each partner must provide two forms of identification issued by the government. (In most cases, these are a driver’s license or state-issued ID card and a Social Security card. However, applicants may also provide their birth certificate, passport, or Visa. Names must be the same on all documents and all documents must be original. No copies or laminated documents will be accepted.)
In the event that an individual aged 16 or 17 wishes to get married, parental consent must be provided and at least one parent must be present at the time the marriage license is requested. Individuals aged 15 must have a court order to obtain a marriage license in New Mexico.
All marriage licenses must be received before the marriage occurs. The marriage license does not have an expiration date and is valid from the time it is obtained. The state of New Mexico does not require blood tests prior to issuing marriage licenses.
It is possible to apply for a marriage license online in some counties, such as in Bernalillo County. However, applicants must appear in person with the required identification to receive their license.
Please note that some counties may require marriage license applicants to make an appointment when applying. Please visit the applicable County Clerk’s web page prior to going to their office to apply for a marriage license or domestic partnership.
All marriages must be performed in New Mexico and licenses must be signed and returned by the appropriate parties after the ceremony and within 90 days so the marriage can be recorded by the County Clerk’s Office.
Any additional information requested regarding New Mexico marriage records should be obtained from the individual county where the marriage was performed and recorded.
References
1New Mexico Courts. (n.d.). Law Library. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://lawlibrary.nmcourts.gov/general/>
2United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). New Mexico. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://data.census.gov/profile/New_Mexico?g=040XX00US35>
3New Mexico Department of Health. (n.d.). Vital Records and Health Statistics. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/bvrhs/vrp/>
4Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. (n.d.). Marriage Records Search. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.berncoclerk.gov/recording-and-filing/marriage-records-search/>
5Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office. (n.d.). Document Request Form. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.donaanacounty.org/departments/elected-officials/clerk/document-request-form>
6Clark, K. E. (n.d.). Research/Public Records Access. Santa Fe County. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.santafecountynm.gov/clerk/divisions/public-records-access>
7City of Albuquerque. (n.d.). City Clerk. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.cabq.gov/clerk/clerk>
8City of Albuquerque. (n.d.). NextRequest – Public Records Requests. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://cabq.nextrequest.com/requests/new>
9City of Las Cruces. (n.d.). City Clerk’s Office. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.lascruces.gov/1295/City-Clerks-Office>
10City of Rio Rancho. (n.d.). City Clerk. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.rrnm.gov/30/City-Clerk>
11State of New Mexico. (n.d.). New Mexico Statutes Annotated. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4383/index.do#!b/a2>
12University of New Mexico. (n.d.). New Mexico Archives Online. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://nmarchives.unm.edu/search?reset=true>
13Social Security Administration. (n.d.). POMS DI 50503.004. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/1505605034>
14New Mexico Counties. (n.d.). Member Directory. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://www.nmcounties.org/member-directory/?_sft_directory_position=clerk>
15Stover, L. (n.d.). Online Marriage License Application. Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from <https://eagleweb.bernco.gov/recorder/eagleweb/enterDoc.jsp?docType=TRACKING_OnlineMarriageApp&Create=Create%20a%20Marriage%20License%20Application>