State Vital Records in New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in New Mexico. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records
State Vital Records in New Mexico: key facts
- Administering office
- New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 505-827-0121.
- Mail orders
- New Mexico Vital Records, Post Office Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502.
- Certificate fee
- $5 for the first certified copy.
- Processing time
- 6-12 weeks by mail; 3-5 business days through VitalChek.
- Who may order
- Immediate family (mother, father, sibling, child, current spouse, maternal/paternal grandparent); Person with tangible proof of legal interest.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1899.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in New Mexico — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek ($21 with regular mail, $39.50 with Next Day Air)
- By phone: Call VitalChek at 877-284-0963
- By mail: Mail request with $5 certified check or money order (no cash) and photocopy of government ID
- In person: Visit the Santa Fe Bureau of Vital Records, 2554 Camino Entrada (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Photocopy of government-issued photo ID
- Proof of relationship or legal interest
- Allow the office's processing time (6-12 weeks by mail; 3-5 business days through vitalchek).
New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records
Phone: 505-827-0121
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call VitalChek at 877-284-0963. by mail: Mail request with $5 certified check or money order (no cash) and photocopy of government ID. in person: Visit the Santa Fe Bureau of Vital Records, 2554 Camino Entrada (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM). Mail orders go to New Mexico Vital Records, Post Office Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Photocopy of government-issued photo ID; Proof of relationship or legal interest. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in New Mexico primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records