What are Santa Fe Public Records?
Under the New Mexico Inspection Of Public Records Act, Santa Fe public records consist of records created, received, maintained, and kept by or for a government entity. These records include those made during the performance of any official government business in the city. Records exist in different forms, including written and typed documents, papers, books, maps, audiotapes, photographs, video files, and other materials. Some public records may be exempt from the public records act and therefore excluded from public access. Examples of such records include:
- Law enforcement records that reveal confidential sources
- Law enforcement records or evidence that reveal individuals accused but not charged with a crime.
- letters of reference concerning employment, licensing, or permits
- Records revealing attorney-client privileged information
- Trade secrets
- Any records about physical or mental examinations and medical treatment of persons confined to an institution.
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Note: Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Santa Fe Crime Statistics
The Santa Fe Police Department bears the responsibility of compiling and supplying the yearly crime statistics for Santa Fe to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR). These yearly statistics show the crime trends in the city for the past year and show the effectiveness or weakness of any crime-fighting strategies implemented. According to the UCR, from 2017 and 2018, there was a general increase in crime in Santa Fe. Murder, robbery, assault, property crimes, burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft increased by 25%, 58.9%, 7.2%, 6.6%, 7.5%, 2.9%, and 3.7% respectively. The only decrease between the years was cases of rape which fell by 11.1%. Overall violent crime in the city also increased by 15.2%.
Are Santa Fe’s criminal records public?
Criminal records for New Mexico (and, by extension Santa Fe) are generally considered open to the public. However, some documents may be exempted by law or sealed by court order. City residents can obtain federal and statewide criminal records history checks or background checks by contacting the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS). Residents can also obtain both fingerprint and name-based background checks at the NMDPS. The fingerprinting costs $9 for the first two fingerprint cards, and statewide background checks cost $15.
In addition, record seekers can obtain a local check for Santa Fe by filling a form at the Santa Fe Police Department Records Division, 2651 Siringo Road-Building I, or 2515 Camino Entrada. The fee for the background check is $5, and the process may take up to 5 business days. Requesters should bear in mind that this is a local check and will only cover records for the City of Santa Fe.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
City residents can obtain police reports and related records from the Santa Fe Police Department from the records department of the police department. Requesters can also obtain physical copies and printouts of reports by contacting the records department at:
Santa Fe Police Department
Records Section
2515 Camino Entrada
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: (505) 955-5751
Fax: 505) 955-5764
Paper copies cost $0.25 per page, records copied on CDs cost $3 per disc, and documents on a 4GB thumb drive will cost $10. Mailing the records back to the requester will also cost an extra $3 postage fee.
Interested parties can also obtain police reports and other records by registering on the city’s public request portal. Police reports, incident reports, and other documents concerning a criminal case can be requested and obtained online via the portal for free.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Santa Fe
Interested parties can access sex offender information for Santa Fe by visiting the website for the New Mexico Sex Offender Registry. The sex offender registry operated by the state department of public safety provides search tools to look up sex offenders by different criteria. Available search criteria include names, addresses, city, phone numbers, and internet names or email addresses.
How to Find Santa Fe Inmate Records
Members of the public can obtain inmate records from Santa Fe either by contacting the Santa Fe Adult Detention Facility directly. Requesters can also get information online using the inmate lookup available on the detention facility website. The inmate lookup provides inmate information such as names, mugshots, physical descriptions, booking numbers, booking dates, and charge details.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Santa Fe City Jail?
The Santa Fe Adult Detention Center offers both onsite and video visitation. Inmates are entitled to two 20 minute on-site visits per week. Visits are scheduled by the visitations officer from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and are on a first-come-first-served basis. All prospective visitors will be subjected to a screening before being approved to visit the inmate.
Off-site video visitation and calls are scheduled through the Securus application and website for a fee. Video visits are scheduled on Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. There will be no limitation on how many visits are scheduled, but visitation schedules will be based on availability on the Securus system. Visitors should also note that there will be no visits scheduled during the following hours 8:30 a.m. through 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m., and 6:30.pm. through 7:30p.m.
What are Santa Fe Vital Records?
Santa Fe vital records refer to the records documenting life events that occur within the city limits. These records include birth records, marriage records, divorce records, and death records. Records are obtained from their respective custodians at the county clerk, the district courts, and the bureau of vital records of the New Mexico Department of Health. Vital Records in New Mexico are initially issued to authorized persons. However, they do become public records after some time.
Where and How to Obtain Santa Fe Divorce Records
Authorized records seekers can obtain Santa Fe divorce records by contacting the district court where the case was heard. The First Judicial District Court covers the city of Santa Fe. Eligible persons can obtain copies of a record by contacting the clerk of court. Divorce records are not public records initially and first will only be issued to certain authorized persons such as:
- Either of the divorced couple
- Their parents or children (immediate family only)
- Their legal representatives
To obtain a certified divorce decree, interested parties must submit a written request to the clerk of court at the courthouse where it was heard. This can be done either by mail or in person. During the request, requesters must supply the following information:
- The names of both parties on the record (including maiden names where necessary)
- Where the divorce was completed
- The date the divorce judgment was issued
The request will usually be charged search fees and fees for creating copies and certification of the divorce decree. Copies will usually cost $0.35 per page. Certification costs $1.50. Payment is acceptable in cash, cashier’s checks, and money orders payable to the First District Judicial Court.
Divorce records can also be looked up online using the New Mexico Courts case lookup online search page.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Santa Fe
Marriage records in New Mexico can be obtained from the County Clerk where the marriage license was issued. For Santa Fe, this would be the Santa Fe County Clerk. Requests can be made in person or by mail to:
Santa Fe County Clerk
Clerk's Office Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
100 Catron Street (New Building)
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Phone: (505) 986-6280
Marriage records in Santa Fe are not public and will only be issued to the married couple, their immediate family, or legal representatives. A copy of the marriage certificate costs $1 per copy, while a certified copy of the marriage certificate will cost $2.50 per copy.
Where and How to Find Santa Fe Birth Records
Birth records from Santa Fe can be obtained from the New Mexico Department Of Health. As they are not public records until after 100 years, birth records initially can only be issued to certain authorized individuals such as:
- The registered person
- Their parents
- Other members of the immediate family (spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren)
- People who can present tangible proof of legal interest in the requested record
Requesters will be required to present identification from the acceptable documents list when they make their application.
Obtaining Copies of Santa Fe Birth Certificates
Birth records can be requested in person or by mail from the Department of Health. To request person the request may visit the Santa Fe Branch of the Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics at:
Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics
2554 Camino Entrada
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm
Phone: (505) 827-0121
Toll-free Number: 1-(866) 534-0051
During the visit, the request must submit a written request or a completed birth record application form in English or Spanish. All requests must include a $10 non-refundable search fee for each birth certificate that is being requested.
Mailed requests can be made by either mailing the birth certificate application form or the written request plus the fees to the bureau of vital records at:
New Mexico Vital Records
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125
A written request must include the following information and a copy of identification from the accepted list.
- The birth name of the person on the certificate.
- The date of birth.
- The city of birth and the county if known.
- The mother's full maiden name.
- The father’s full name.
- Requester's relationship to the person on the birth certificate.
- The purpose for which you are requesting the birth certificate.
- The requester's name and signature.
- The requester's mailing address.
All requests must include the $10 non-refundable search fee. Payments must be made by certified check or money order in the exact amount made payable to “New Mexico Vital Records”.
Where and How to Find Santa Fe Death Records
New Mexico Death records only become public records 50 years after the death. Until then, they may only be accessed by authorized individuals such as their current spouse, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. They can also be issued to legal representatives and people who can show tangible proof of legal interest in the requested record.
Death records from Santa Fe can be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics in Santa Fe. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
Requests by mail can be made by mailing not emailing a written request or the completed Death certificate application form in English or Spanish to:
New Mexico Vital Records
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125
Instead of completing a form, the requester may mail a written request containing the following information, which will help make the certificate easy to locate:
- The deceased’s name.
- Date of death.
- City where the death occurred. Including the county if known.
- The deceased’s Social Security Number, if known.
- The name of the mortuary in charge of final burial arrangements.
- Requestor's relationship to the person on the death certificate.
- The purpose for which the death certificate is being requested.
- Your name and signature.
- Your mailing address.
Requests can be made in person by coming to the bureau of vital records and health statistics at:
Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics
2554 Camino Entrada
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm
Phone: (505) 827-0121
Toll-Free Number: 1-(866) 534-0051
All requests must include a copy of picture identification from the list of accepted documentation to verify the request is authorized to receive the death certificate. All death certificates incur a $5 non-refundable search fee for each certificate requested if it is on file. Requesters must make the payments in a certified check or money order for the exact amount made payable to “New Mexico Vital Records.”
