What are Albuquerque City Public Records?
Complying with the New Mexico IPRA, every piece of information that city officials and employees generate, use, or store, is listed among Alburquerque City public records. Only records restricted by statutes are exempt from the IPRA. Albuquerque City public records may include:
- Drafts and deliberative processes
- Documents in electronic form
- Emails and public documents on private computers
- Transcripts of public meetings
State laws may restrict individual government-generated records from view if they contain:
- Medical information
- Reference letters
- Matters of opinion
- Confidential law enforcement information
- Confidential Materials Act
- Trade secrets of public hospitals
- Tactical security responses
Albuquerque City Crime Statistics
Using the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the Albuquerque Police Department reports crime statistics and publishes them online. In a 2018 - 2019 comparison report, the department noted that crime in Albuquerque City dropped by 7% across the years, going from 75,538 reported crimes in 2018 to 70,223 the following year. In 2018, the department reported larceny-theft 23,581 times. However, that number dropped to 21,793 in 2019. The department also reported 11,292 acts of vandalism in 2018, and that number dropped by 10% to 10,131 reports in 2019. However, violent crime reports increased by 1%, from 14,845 in 2018 to 14,971 in 2019. Reported cases of aggravated assault and simple assault went from 5,179 and 7,599 respectively in 2018, to 5,397 and 7,922 in 2019.
Are Albuquerque City Criminal Records Public?
Not all Albuquerque City criminal records are public. For example, arrest records and criminal background checks - which local law enforcement agencies generate - are only available to employers and not private individuals. However, anyone with an arrest or criminal record in Albuquerque City can contact the Police Department to inspect copies of their records.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Albuquerque Police offers public access to various police reports and records, such as sex offender information, crime mapping and statistics, and accident reports. Per state law, however, the public is restricted from obtaining arrest records. Only persons with arrest records have permission to view their details. To receive public Albuquerque records, interested persons may query the department’s online page or visit in person from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Law Enforcement Centre,
400 Roma Ave NW,
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 768-2020
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Albuquerque City
The Albuquerque Police Department collects information for all convicted sex offenders living in the city and makes it available online for community safety purposes only. Interested persons can search for information on sex offenders registered with the Albuquerque Police Department. Users can search by:
- Name
- City
- Address
- Phone number
- Internet names or aliases
- Non-compliant status
Interested persons can also register for email notifications and be alerted when a known sex offender moves into their neighborhood.
How to Find Albuquerque City Inmate Records
Individuals convicted for committing crimes in Albuquerque serve time in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. The Detention Center staff collates records of all inmates housed in the facility and makes those records available to the public. Interested parties may find Albuquerque City inmate records by querying the Inmate Custody and Release Information page. Individuals may also obtain inmate information by completing a Bernalillo County Public Records request online.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Albuquerque City Jail?
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center allows inmates to receive two visits a week from family and friends according to its official schedule. Interested persons may schedule visits on a first-come, first-served basis but face the possibility of cancellation without prior notice. Only three people may visit an inmate at a time, regardless of age. All visitors must present a valid ID to gain entry to the facility. Visitors must dress comfortably but appropriately and must not wear revealing or see-through clothing.
Prison administration may deny entry to a potential visitor if:
- The inmate refuses the visit.
- The visitor is abusive to MDC personnel.
- MDC administration considers the visitor disruptive to the facility
- The visitor is not present at the scheduled time.
- The visitor dresses inappropriately.
Court Records
A part of New Mexico’s Second Judicial District, the Bernalillo County District Court, Metropolitan Court, and Probate Court provide the public with access to Albuquerque City Court records, including traffic, probate, criminal, and civil court records.
Location of Courts in Albuquerque City
Bernalillo County 2nd Judicial District Court
Bernalillo County Courthouse
400 Lomas Blvd NW,
P.O. Box 488,
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Phone: (505) 841-8400
Bernalillo County Children's Court, 2nd Judicial District
John E. Brown Juvenile Justice Center
5100 Second Street NW,
#173,
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: (505) 841-5906
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Courthouse
401 Lomas Blvd NW,
P.O. Box 133,
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Phone: (505) 841-8151
Fax: (505) 222-4831
Bernalillo County Probate Court
One Civic Plaza NW,
6th Floor,
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 468-1234
Fax: (505) 468-1298
Are Albuquerque City Court Records Public?
Per New Mexico’s IPRA, most Albuquerque City Court Records are public. However, some court records are confidential and only available to eligible parties. Court records considered to be closed include:
- Court proceedings under the Abuse and Neglect Act
- Court proceedings under the Families in Need of Court-Ordered Services Act
- Adoption proceedings, parentage proceedings, and mental health proceedings
- Proceedings under the Family Violence Protection Act
Can You Look up an Albuquerque City Court Case Online?
As provided by the New Mexico Supreme Court Order No. 17-8500-001, interested parties can access Albuquerque City court records in two ways: through the New Mexico Case Lookup page and the Secured Odyssey Public Access (SOPA). The Case Lookup page contains New Mexico District Court, Metropolitan Court, Magistrate Court, Municipal Court, and Appellate Court records from 1997. The information available on the Case Lookup Page is open to the public, with no registration required. However, to obtain court records from SOPA, individuals will need to register their information on the site and prove eligibility.
How to Obtain Albuquerque City Civil Court Case Records
Albuquerque City civil records are available online, in person, or by mail. Interested parties that wish to obtain civil case records from the Bernalillo County District Court may find the case number online and then place a request using the online Public Records Request form. Individuals that wish to obtain civil records from the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court may fill out the Request for Copy of Court Record form and submit it by email, in-person to the Records Viewing Room on the 1st floor of the Courthouse, or by mail.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
c/o Records Custodian
401 Lomas Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
How to Obtain Albuquerque City Criminal Court Records
Albuquerque City criminal records are available online, in person, or by mail. Parties seeking records from the District Court may find the case number online and then request through the online Public Records Request form. For Metropolitan Court records, interested persons may complete the Request for Copy of Court Record form and submit it by email, in-person, or by mail.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
c/o Records Custodian
401 Lomas Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
What are Albuquerque City Vital Records?
Albuquerque City vital records comprise official documents with information on births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the city. Most Albuquerque City vital records are not available to the public and are accessible only to eligible requesters.
Where and How to Obtain Albuquerque City Divorce Records
The Bernalillo County District Court provides divorce decrees to the general public. Interested persons may obtain copies of Albuquerque City divorce records by visiting the Domestic Relations Division office anytime from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Requesters may also send applications by mail. All requests must contain the following information:
- Exact full names of divorcees
- The case number and year of filing
- Approximate filing dates
- Self-addressed envelope (business size or larger)
- $5 money order or cashier’s check, payable to the Clerk of the Court
Bernalillo County 2nd Judicial District Court
Domestic Relations Division office
Bernalillo County Courthouse
400 Lomas Blvd NW,
Room 240, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 488,
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Phone: (505) 841-8400
Where and How to Obtain Albuquerque City Marriage Records
The Bernalillo County Clerk maintains Albuquerque City marriage records. Interested persons may inspect marriage records using the Marriage Records Search page, which holds unofficial copies. Certified copies of marriage records are available only to eligible parties such as the couple on the record, their legal representatives, and immediate family members.
To obtain certified copies of marriage records, eligible parties can query the Bernalillo County Clerk’s office in person. The office is open every weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents of Albuquerque can obtain certified marriage records by contacting the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office at:
Bernalillo County Clerk
One Civic Plaza NW
6th Floor,
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Requesters may also mail applications for certified copies of marriage records to:
Bernalillo County Clerk
P.O. Box 542,
Albuquerque, NM 87103-0542
Where and How to Find Albuquerque City Birth Records
The Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics provides birth certificates to all individuals born in Albuquerque City. State law restricts Albuquerque City birth records created within the last 100 years from public viewership. However, birth records older than a hundred years are “historic” and available to the public. The following persons are eligible to request certified copies of restricted Albuquerque city birth certificates.
- The registrant
- A parent duly mentioned on the certificate.
- The registrant’s siblings
- The registrant’s spouse
- The registrant’s children
- The registrant’s grandchildren
- The registrant’s grandparents
Requesters must complete a birth record search form, an exact copy of a valid ID, and $10 in cash or a check made payable to New Mexico Vital Records. Applicants may submit the completed package in person on Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Records are also requestable by mail.
Walk-in requests:
Midtown Public Health Office
Birth Certificate Requests
2400 Wellesley Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Mailing requests:
New Mexico Vital Records
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125
Where and How to Find Albuquerque City Death Records
The Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics provides death certificates for all individuals who have died in Albuquerque City. Albuquerque City restricts death records created within the past fifty years from public viewership. However, death records older than fifty years are “historic” and publicly available. The following persons are eligible to request certified copies of restricted Albuquerque city death certificates.
- A parent of the deceased
- A sibling of the deceased
- A spouse of the deceased
- A child of the deceased
- A grandparent of the deceased
To request an Albuquerque City death record, eligible individuals must complete a death record application form and attach an exact copy of a valid, government-issued ID. The fee for a certified copy of a death record is $5.
In-person requests:
Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics
1105 S. St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Mailing requests:
New Mexico Vital Records
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125
