Sandoval County, New Mexico Court Records
Sandoval County court records are official, comprehensive documentation of all activities, filings, and proceedings of legal cases handled in the county. Per Rule 1-079(B)(i) of the New Mexico Rules Annotated, a ’court record’ refers to "all or part of a document, paper, exhibit, transcript, or other material filed or lodged with the court, and the register of actions and docket entries used by the court to document the activity in a case."
In Sandoval County, court records contain information regarding legal cases, from initiation through final disposition, and encompass all case types, including criminal, civil, probate, and family. The Sandoval County District Court (part of the thirteenth judicial district) is the primary custodian of court records in Sandoval. It generates, maintains, and releases these records to the public in compliance with the NewMexico Supreme Court Rules regarding record retention and release and the "Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)," which governs the fundamental public right to inspect and/or obtain official records.
Sandoval County court records allow the public to access case information, research case activities and outcomes, follow proceedings, and generally understand how courts operate and handle cases.
Note that in Sandoval County, court records are not the only type of public records. Others include, but are not limited to, vital records, arrest records/information, and federal case files. In certain cases, some of these records may be linked to, intersect with, or found alongside court records.
Are Sandoval County Court Records Public?
Yes. Sandoval County court records are public under the New Mexico Inspectionof Public Records Act (IPRA), codified in NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 et seq. According to IPRA, every person has the right to inspect public records of the state of New Mexico (including county court records), unless the record is excluded in Section 14-2-1 NMSA 1978. Furthermore, the public record status of court records is reinforced by Rule 1-079(A) NMRA, which presumes that court records are subject to public access unless sealed by order of the court or otherwise restricted from disclosure under provisions of Rule 1-079 NMRA.
On that note, most court cases, including criminal, civil, probate, and family law matters, such as divorce, are subject to public access. However, juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, mental health commitment or related proceedings, conservatorship proceedings, guardianship proceedings, cases sealed by order of the court, proceedings commenced under the Adult Protective Services Act, and personal identifier information are otherwise protected/restricted from public disclosure (Rule 1-079(C) NMRA).
What Information is Available in Sandoval County Court Records?
The typical contents of Sandoval County court records include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Names of case parties (i.e., defendants, plaintiffs)
- Case number
- Case type (e.g., criminal, civil, probate, family, etc.)
- Registers of actions or docket entries
- Exhibits
- Transcripts
- Filings (e.g., complaints, answers, motions, petitions, indictments, etc.)
- Summonses/subpoenas
- Court orders, judgments, and dispositions
- Hearing schedules/dates
Sandoval County Court Records Search
Interested persons who need to search, inspect, and/or obtain Sandoval County court records may do so with any of these options:
- Online Access - The New Mexico Courts Case Lookup Website provides free online access to electronic records from the District Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts. Use this website to search for and access Sandoval County court records. District and magistrate case information is updated daily on the website. As a result, it is up-to-date within 24 hours of case activity in these courts. The website offers different search options, including name, case number, and DWI. Note that availability and access to case data may depend on the case type and/or court. For example, juvenile criminal and order of protection cases are not displayed on the case lookup website. Additionally, municipal court data on the portal is limited to criminal domestic violence and DWI historic convictions.
- In-Person Access - Court records are available at the court in which the case was filed. Visit the relevant court clerk’s office to search case information (using public terminals if available), view files, or request copies. For court records of cases handled in the Sandoval County District Court, for example, visit:
Sandoval County District Court
1500 Idalia Road, Building A
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Phone: (505) 867-2376
Email: berdissuedocs@nmcourts.gov
- Mail and Phone Requests - Forward written requests by mail to the relevant court in which the case was filed. Describe the records sought, including names and case numbers. Use a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include any applicable fees for copies of the requested records/documents, usually in money orders or checks. The mailing addresses for the Sandoval County district and magistrate courts are listed below.
Sandoval County District Court
P.O. Box 600
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Sandoval County Magistrate Court (Bernalillo)
1000 Montoya Road
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Sandoval County Magistrate Court (Cuba)
P.O. Box 1497
Cuba, NM 87013
Additionally, calls may be placed to the relevant court (e.g., the Sandoval County District Court) to search and/or request case documents/files or to inquire about the best way to access a court record.
Fees for Court Records in Sandoval County
No fee is required to inspect Sandoval County court records in person or online via the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup website. However, pursuant to Section § 14-2-9(C) NMSA 1978, requesters pay the following fees to obtain court records.
Copy Type/Medium | Cost |
|---|---|
Audio Duplication/CD/Tape | $4.00/Audio Duplication/CD/Tape |
Photocopies | $0.35/Page |
Microfilm Copy | $0.50/Page |
Certification Copy Seal | $1.50/Each |
Exemplified Copy Seal | $4.50/Each |
Copy by Fax (In-State) | $2.50/Page |
Copy by Fax (Out-of-State) | $5.00/Page |
Note that the above are for the thirteenth judicial district, which comprises the Sandoval County district and magistrate courts. The probate court or the municipal courts may have different fees. For example, the listedfees for the Rio Rancho Municipal Court are $0.25/page for record copies and $1.00 for certification (per document).
Marriage records are available through the Sandoval County Clerk for $2.00per copy. Other vital records, such as birth and death records, are available to eligible persons through the New Mexico Vital Records & Health Statistics for $10 and $5 per certificate, respectively.
Sandoval County Courthouse Locations
Sandoval County’s courts include the Sandoval County District Court and magistrate courts, which are part of the Thirteenth Judicial District for Sandoval County, as well as the Sandoval County Probate Court and municipal courts.
The district court is a general jurisdiction trial court. It handles criminal and civil cases, contested probate matters, family/domestic relations cases, juvenile proceedings, mental health commitments, and appeals from the lower courts.
The magistrate courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, presiding over misdemeanor cases, traffic violations (including DWI/DUI), civil cases where the amount in controversy is $10,000 or less, and felony preliminary hearings.
The municipal courts hear traffic citations and arrests, animal control cases, and code enforcement cases. Finally, the probate court probates wills and decedents’ estates and appoints special administrators.
The addresses and contact information for these courts are listed below.
Sandoval County District Court
1500 Idalia Road, Building A
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Phone: (505) 867-2376
Email: berdissuedocs@nmcourts.gov
Sandoval County Magistrate Court (Bernalillo)
1000 Montoya Road
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Phone: (505) 867-5202
Email: bermadmin@nmcourts.gov
Sandoval County Magistrate Court (Cuba)
6354 Highway 550
Cuba, NM 87013
Phone: (575) 289-3519
Email: cubmadmin@nmcourts.gov
1500 Idalia Rd., Bldg. D
PO Box 40
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Tel: (505) 867-7645
Fax: (505) 867-6699
Bernalillo Municipal Court
829 Camino de Pueblo, PO Box 638
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Phone: (505) 771-7115
Fax: (505) 404-2583
Corrales Municipal Court
4324 Corrales Road
Corrales, NM 87048
Phone: (505) 897-0503
Fax: (505) 899-6541
Email: municipalcourt@corrales-nm.org
Cuba Municipal Court
16-B E. Cordova St.
P. O. Box 426
Cuba, NM 87013
Phone: (575) 289-3563
Fax: (575) 289-2358
Jemez Springs Municipal Court
P. O. Box 269
090A Jemez Springs Plaza
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
Phone: (575) 829-3858
Rio Rancho Municipal Court
P. O. Box 15190
500 Quantum Road NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87174
Phone: (505) 891-5999
San Ysidro Municipal Court
P. O. Box 28
372 State Road 4
San Ysidro, NM 87053
Phone: (575) 834-7481
Criminal Records Access in Sandoval County
The New Mexico DPS Law Enforcement Records Bureau (LERB) handles official state-level criminal history background checks in New Mexico. As a result, Sandoval County courts do not conduct or provide criminal background records. However, local criminal case records of felony and misdemeanor matters handled in the county are available through the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup website or in person at the Sandoval District Court or the magistrate court in which the case (i.e., misdemeanor) was filed.
Sandoval County Probate Records
Sandoval County probate records document probate matters in the county, including wills, trusts, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings. These records are created and maintained as probate matters are filed, heard, or handled in the Sandoval County District Court or the Sandoval County Probate Court. While the district court hears wills and estate disputes, including conservatorship and guardianship proceedings, the probate court probates wills and estates and appoints administrators.
In Sandoval County, probate records are generally public under IPRA. As such, these records may be searched or requested in person, by mail, or by e-mail from the district court clerk or the probate court.
Alternatively, interested individuals may use the New Mexico Court Case Lookup website to search and inspect Sandoval County probate records. Note that while recent probate filings may be available online, older and more detailed records are typically accessible in person. Additionally, note that certain probate records or information therein that is sealed by the court or deemed confidential under IPRA may be restricted from public access.
County | Court Name | Address | Phone Number | Mailing Address | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandoval County | Sandoval County District Court | 1500 Idalia Road, Building A | (505) 867-2376 | P.O. Box 600 | Monday to Friday (8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.) | |
Sandoval County | Sandoval County Probate Court | 1500 Idalia Road, Building D | (505) 867-7645 | PO Box 40 | N/A | Monday to Thursday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
|
Sandoval County Family Court Records
These are records related to family law/domestic relations cases handled in the county. These cases include divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence/restraining order. Family/domestic relations court records are considered public records under the IPRA. However, certain records, such as adoptions and the Family Violence Protection Act "orders of protection," are confidential and not accessible to the public.
Interested persons seeking to access public family court records in Sandoval County should utilize the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup website. Alternatively, they may contact or mail the District Court Clerk to search and/or request certified copies of public family court records, such as divorce and support records. Fees apply for photocopies ($0.35/page) and certification.
Federal Court Records in Sandoval County
Federal court records are official documents of cases handled in a federal court. TheUnited States District Court for the District of New Mexico is the federal court serving the entire state of New Mexico, with courthouses in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Roswell, and Santa Fe. The courthouse in Albuquerque typically handles federal cases in Sandoval County due to its proximity. Individuals seeking federal court records in Sandoval County should contact the Albuquerque courthouse or any one of the other courthouses where the case was filed. Alternatively, they may use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) to search for and view case information/documents of cases handled by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico for a nominal fee.