New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records

New Mexico · Vital Records

nmhealth.org/about/erd/bvrhs/vrp/death

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.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in New Mexico; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
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)
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Photocopy of government-issued photo ID
  • •Proof of relationship or legal interest
4
Allow the office's processing time (6-12 weeks by mail; 3-5 business days through vitalchek).

State Vital Records in New Mexico: key facts

What New Mexico says9

Administering office

New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records.1

Office location and hours

2554 Camino Entrada, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.1

Mail orders

New Mexico Vital Records, Post Office Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502.1

Certificate fee

$5 for the first certified copy; $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1

Processing time

6-12 weeks by mail; 3-5 business days through VitalChek.1

Who may order

Immediate family (mother, father, sibling, child, grandchild, current spouse, maternal/paternal grandparent); Legal guardian or court-ordered custodian; Legal representative of the registrant or an eligible family member (attorney, executor of the estate, funeral service practitioner, trust officer or other fiduciary).1

Person with tangible proof of legal interest.1

Filing deadline

The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.2

Public record

Death records become public 50 years after the death.1

Records available from

1918.1

Governing law: NMSA 1978 § 24-14-20

Sources2

  1. 1.New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records
  2. 2.New Mexico death-certificate filing rule (NMSA 1978 § 24-14-20; NMSA 1978 § 24-14-23; NMSA 1978 § 61-32-20; NMSA 1978 § 24-12-1)

New Mexico vital records offices

New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records

Phone

505-827-0121

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm

Mailing address

New Mexico Vital Records, Post Office Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in New Mexico

Free tools for settling an estate in New Mexico: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In New Mexico, certified death certificates come from the New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital RecordsNew Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $5New Mexico Department of Health - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in New Mexico: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysNMSA § 45-3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsNMSA §§ 45-3-801, 45-3-803, 45-3-806, 45-3-1006Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

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