Divorce records in Santa Fe, New Mexico, are available through several channels. SantaFeCourt.us allows you to search for public information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, the First Judicial District Court maintains court records, and divorce certificates are issued by the New Mexico Vital Records Bureau. The Santa Fe County Clerk's Office can also assist with finding public documents registered in the county.
Santa Fe Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Santa Fe County are handled by the First Judicial District Court, which serves Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba counties. The court's office maintains complete case files: divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and all related procedural documents.
Divorce certificates are a separate type of document. They are maintained by the New Mexico Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. The bureau keeps records of divorces filed within the state.
For online court case searches, use the Case Lookup portal on the New Mexico Courts website — no registration is required. The re:SearchNM system offers advanced search options for viewing case documents.
First Judicial District Court (Santa Fe Division)
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Santa Fe
Divorces in Santa Fe County go through the district court, which has jurisdiction over family matters in New Mexico. After a judge issues a decision, the original decree remains in the court's office. The court also keeps agreements on property division, alimony, and child custody if they are part of the case.
Simultaneously, the court notifies the state's Vital Records Bureau, which creates a separate record — the divorce certificate. This document confirms the fact of divorce but does not include details of property agreements or custody.
Which office to choose depends on the purpose:
- Complete case files (decree, agreements, orders) — contact the First Judicial District Court's office or submit a request through the court's public records page.
- Divorce certificate (to confirm the fact of divorce) — order from the state's Vital Records Bureau.
First Judicial District Court — Public Records
New Mexico Vital Records Bureau
Requests for copies of court documents can also be submitted through the IPRA (Inspect Public Records Request) system on the New Mexico Courts website. Some family case materials may have restricted access — for example, documents regarding minor children are usually closed to public view.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Santa Fe
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (district court) | $0.35 per page | 1–5 business days |
| Certified copy of court document (district court) | $0.35 per page + $1.50 for certification | 1–5 business days |
| Divorce certificate (Vital Records Bureau) | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Vital Records search (per every 10 years searched) | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Expedited certificate processing (Vital Records Bureau) | Additional $17.00 (FedEx) | 1–2 weeks |