Taos County Court Records

According to the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure, "court records" in Taos County, New Mexico encompass various official documents. These include—but are not limited to—recordings, exhibits, transcripts, pleadings, docket entries, and registers of actions filed with any judicial body within the county. Taos County court records are used to document all aspects of a court proceeding, from the initial filing to the case's final disposition.

Are Court Records Public in Taos County?

Under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA 1978, §§14-2-1 to 14-2-12, commonly known as IPRA), most Taos County court records are presumed open for public inspection. This access supports transparency, allowing the public to research whether prospective tenants, employees, or other associates have a civil or criminal case history on file.

Commonly accessible information includes:

• Case Details: Case number, assigned judge, filing date, and court of record.
• Parties Information: Names, type of parties involved (plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent), and party descriptions.
• Civil Complaints and Related Documents: Filing dates, descriptions, dispositions, disposition dates, as well as cause-of-action sequence details.
• Register of Actions: Chronological list of procedural events, dates, descriptions, results, and any associated financial judgments.
• Criminal Case Details: Party names, counts, applicable statutes, charges, classifications of offenses, dates of charges, citation numbers, pleas, dispositions, and disposition dates.
• Hearing Schedules and Outcomes: Hearing dates, times, types, assigned judges, specific courtrooms, and results of court proceedings.
• Judicial Assignments and History: Information regarding when and how judges were assigned or reassigned to a particular case.

Taos County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking Taos County court records have multiple avenues for their search:

• Online Case Lookup Tools: The New Mexico Courts Case Lookup allows for basic searches by name or case number.
• In-Person at the Courthouse: Researchers may visit the appropriate court during regular business hours to request case files, provided they have enough identifying information (case number, party names, or filing date).
• Third-Party Online Databases: Several reputable third-party sites aggregate New Mexico court records, though these may charge fees and might not always be as up-to-date as the official court portals.

Taos County Courts

Taos County falls under the Eighth Judicial District of New Mexico. The main courts serving Taos County include:

Taos County 8th Judicial District Court
Taos County Courthouse
105 Albright Street, Suite N,
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 758-3173
Fax: (575) 751-1281

Taos County Magistrate Court - Divisions I and II
105 Albright Street,
Suite M, Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 758-4030
Fax: (575) 751-0983

Taos County Magistrate Court - Questa Circuit
2308 NM Highway 522,
P.O. Box 586,
Questa, NM 87556
Phone: (575) 586-0761
Fax: (575) 586-0428

Taos County Probate Court
Taos County Courthouse
105 Albright Street,
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737-6391
Fax: (575) 737-6390

Questa Municipal Court
2500 Old State Road 3,
P.O. Box 1162,
Questa, NM 87556
Phone: (575) 586-1313
Fax: (575) 586-0428

Red River Municipal Court
100 East Main Street,
P.O. Box 964,
Red River, NM 87558
Phone: (575) 754-3464
Fax: (575) 754-2944

Taos Municipal Court
El Pueblo Hall Building
114 Civic Plaza Drive,
Suite D, Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737-2602
Fax: (575) 737-2604

Taos County Criminal and Civil Records

Taos County criminal records, often sought for employment or rental screenings, can be obtained through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS). Under NMSA 1978, §§29-10-1 to 29-10-13, DPS maintains a centralized repository of criminal history information. To obtain a Taos County criminal record, inquirers may opt for one of the following options:

• By Fingerprint-Based Search: Applicants may use the New Mexico Applicant Fingerprint Processing (NMAPS) system, facilitated by approved third-party vendors.
• In-Person at DPS: Individuals can visit the DPS Law Enforcement Records Bureau in Santa Fe. Fingerprinting fees and service hours may vary.
• By Mail: Send DPS a notarized Authorization for Release of Information form and the required fee. The standard fee is $15 per record check, payable by money order or cashier's check.

The Eighth Judicial District Court holds general jurisdiction over civil matters. While the District Court does not have a monetary limit, Magistrate Courts generally have jurisdiction over civil claims up to $10,000. To access civil case records, inquirers may use the statewide Case Lookup tool to search by party name or case number. Otherwise, they may visit the District or Magistrate Court Clerk's office during business hours. Staff will provide copies after payment of applicable copying fees.

Taos County Marriage Records

The Taos County Clerk's Office issues and maintains marriage licenses and related records. Certified copies can be obtained through in-person requests or via their online document search portal. Fees generally range around $2.50 per copy, though actual charges may vary. Requests for Taos County marriage records may be addressed to:

Taos County Clerk
105 Albright St., Suite D
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737-6380

Taos County Divorce Records

The Eighth Judicial District Court maintains divorce records and related case information. Copies of decrees can be requested in person at the District Court Clerk's Office. Taos County's divorce case information may also be accessible through the statewide Case Lookup tool. To expedite the search, searchers must provide the case number or the names of both parties.

Taos County Birth and Death Records

Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are not kept at the county level in New Mexico. Instead, they are managed by the New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. State law restricts access to protect personal privacy (NMSA 1978, Chapter 24, Article 14). Generally, immediate family members and individuals with a legitimate interest may obtain these records. These records become public after a statutory period (100 years for births, 50 years for deaths). To obtain Taos County birth or death records, inquirers may

• Utilize the state's official third-party vendor. Standard processing costs around $10 for a birth certificate and $5 for a death certificate, not including any expedited shipping.
• Send a completed application, fees, and a copy of a government-issued ID to:
• New Mexico Vital Records
• P.O. Box 26110
• Santa Fe, NM 87502
• Visit the Santa Fe office or the Taos County Public Health Office. Before their requests are processed, requesters must present a valid photo ID and pay the required fee.

Taos County Probate Court Records

The Taos County Probate Judge's Office maintains probate records, including wills and estate proceedings, after probate commences. These records can be accessed in person or searched online if the County Clerk's Office provides a digital search portal. Certified copies typically cost around $0.50 per page, and standard copies are often $0.15 per page. Contact the Probate Judge's Office for exact fees and processes:

Taos County Probate Court
105 Albright Street, Suite L
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737-6310

Taos County Property Records

The Taos County Assessor, Treasurer, and Clerk maintain various property-related records. These records may include deeds, plats, tax assessments, and related transactional documents. To request property records, inquirers may query any of the offices depending on the record being sought:

Assessor's Office: For valuation and parcel mapping information.

105 Albright St., Suite A
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737-6360

Clerk's Office: For deeds, mortgages, and recorded documents.

105 Albright St., Suite D
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737-6380

Treasurer's Office: This is for property tax payment histories and related details.

105 Albright St., Suite G
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737-6340

Where available, online portals allow searches by property owner name, address, or parcel number. Fees apply for certified copies.

Taos County Court Records Online

Some private, third-party websites like Newmexicocourtrecords.us compile and offer access to Taos County court records. While these resources can be convenient, they may charge subscription fees and may not always provide the most current or accurate data.