What are Las Cruces Public Records?
According to the New Mexico Inspection Of Public Records Act, Las Cruces public records are created, received, or maintained by government agencies. Records also refer to documents generated or stored by the city’s agencies during the performance of official government duties. Public records can come in many forms irrespective of physical characteristics, such as written or typed documents, audio, video, maps, and photographs. However, some records may be exempt from public records law and so restricted from public view. Records exempt from public view include the following:
- Information on tactical responses prepared for or by the state the release of which would expose vulnerabilities that may be used to commit crimes or terrorist attacks.
- Any information which if released, would cause an unnecessary violation of personal privacy
- Information that may reveal confidential information sources for law enforcement
- Trade secrets and certain financial information
- Information covered by attorney-client privileges
- Student records
- Medical treatment, including physical and psychological treatments
In addition to government agencies, public city records may be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document or multiple city documents. 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
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Las Cruces Crime Statistics
Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) compiles and maintains the yearly crime statistics for the city. One of the duties of their records department is gathering this data and making it available to the public and the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting system. According to the 2019 LCPD Annual Report comparing the data from 2018 and 2019, homicide, rape, robbery, and assault all increased by 36%, 13%, 27%, 25%, respectively. In contrast, cases of burglary, larceny, vehicle theft, and arson all reduced by 3%, 2%, 2%, and 40% respectively. Total cases of violent crimes climbed by 24% from 2018 to 2019, while total cases of property crime fell by 2%. Analyzing data of this sort allows law enforcement in the city to note the crime habits and trends in the city and take appropriate responses.
Are Las Cruces’s Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records for individuals in Las Cruces and New Mexico are generally considered as public records. However, records sealed by a court or exempted by law may be exceptions. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) offers both state and federal criminal history background checks. Members of the public can request fingerprinting and background check services from the NMDPS using a name or a more accurate check using a subject’s fingerprints. Statewide background checks cost $15 per search while fingerprinting at NMDPS headquarters costs an additional $9 for the first two cards and $2.50 for each additional card.
A local check for the criminal records in the city is available from the records window at the Las Cruces Police Department. This service can be requested in person at the window of the records office while a written request sent in by mail must be signed and notarized. Government-issued picture identification must be shown at the time the criminal background check is requested. The service is available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and costs $3 per search. Background checks may take up to 3 business days to compile. For more information on obtaining records from the police department, residents may call (575) 528-4137.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police Records, incident reports, and other records can be obtained from the Records Section of the Las Cruces Police Department. Requesters may come in person to the records section at 217 E Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Requesters may also call the records section at (575) 528-4137 to make inquiries about how to request any of their records.
Police records can also be obtained from the Las Cruces City Clerk’s Office in person by mailing a written request or using the Public Request Portal. Copies of records from the city clerk’s office will cost:
- copies of papers documents will cost $1 per page
- Records recorded onto CDs cost $5
- The price of records recorded onto USB drives will vary according to the size of the drive. 8GB-$10 16 GB-$13 32 GB-$16 64 GB-$22
Shipping/Mailing Documents to the requester will cost the actual cost of postage. Individuals with questions about requesting records from the city clerk may contact the office by calling (575) 541-2115 or emailing ipra@las-cruces.org.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Las Cruces
Sex Offender Information for the City of Las Cruces can be obtained from the New Mexico Sex Offender Registry website. This is the official sex offender registry operated by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety(NMDPS) and provides search tools for searching for offender information. These search tools allow users to search for offenders by name, phone number, email address, city, address, and internet user names. Anyone with questions about the registry may call the NMDPS at (505) 827-9297 or send an email to dps.sorna@state.nm.us.
How to Find Las Cruces Inmate Records
Records and information for inmates detained in Las Cruces can be obtained by contacting the Dona Ana County Detention Center. Individuals with inquiries may call the detention center directly at (575) 647-7600 to request information about an inmate. Records for inmates can also be found online using the inmates online page on the Dona Ana County website. This page allows a user to search for individual inmate records and provides information such as name, picture, booking number, gender, age, physical description, and charges.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Las Cruces City Jail?
Inmates from Las Cruces are usually housed in the Dona Ana Detention Center. The detention center which possesses both adult and juvenile detention facilities is located at:
1850 Copper Loop
Las Cruces, NM 88005
The adult detention center has temporarily suspended onsite family visitation at the facility. However, the hours for remote video visitation have been extended to 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., seven days a week including county holidays. Video visits can be arranged and scheduled online using the getting out website. Prospective visitors must download the application to their phone or computer and create an account to be able to make phone calls and schedule video visits. Instructions for scheduling visits and corresponding fees for the services can be found on the website.
What are Las Cruces Vital Records?
Las Cruce’s vital records are defined as the records created and maintained by the city’s agencies that document the life events occurring in the city. In Las Cruces, not all vital records are public records from the start, some vital records like birth records become public after some time. Other examples of vital records include marriage, divorce, and death records. These records can be found in possession of their custodians at the County Clerk, the Dona Ana District Court Clerk. Vital records can also be obtained from the bureau of vital records of the New Mexico Department of Health.
Where and How to Obtain Las Cruces Divorce Records
Copies of divorce records in New Mexico are obtained by contacting the district clerk of the court where the divorce case was heard. For Las Cruces, this would be the Third Judicial District Court located at 201 W. Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88005. To request a certified copy of the record the requester must present a request written or otherwise to the district clerk. The request may be a written request and must provide the following information about the case so that the record may be found:
- The names of the parties in the case
- The date of the divorce
- The case number of the divorce
If sufficient information of the case cannot be provided a case search fee of $1.50 per name and $5 for cases before 1986 will be charged. Copies of the record cost $0.35 per page for photocopies, $1 per page for colored copies, and $1.50 for certification of the record. Payment should be made in Cashiers checks and money orders made payable to the Third District Judicial Court. Cash payments are only accepted during in-person requests at the clerk's office. Requesters with any inquiries about record requests are advised to call the courthouse at (575) 523-8200 prior to making a request.
Divorce records can also be searched for online using the New Mexico Courts case lookup website search page.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Las Cruces
Marriage records for marriages that took place in the City of Las Cruces can be obtained from the county clerk in the area where the marriage was filed. For Las Cruces, marriage records can be obtained from the Dona Ana County Clerk office at 845 N Motel Blvd, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88007. Copies of the record will cost $1 per page and certification of a marriage certificate costs $1.50. Anyone with any inquiries is advised to call the county clerk’s office at (575) 647-7421.
Where and How to Find Las Cruces Birth Records
Birth records for Las Cruces City can be obtained from the Dona Ana County Health Center and from the New Mexico Department Of Health. As birth records do not become public records till 100 years after the birth they will only be issued to certain authorized persons till that time. These persons include:
- The registrant (if now over 18 years old)
- Parents of the registrant
- Members of the registrant’s immediate family including current spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren
- Those who represent tangible proof of legal interest in the requested birth record
People requesting birth records are required to present items from the acceptable identification list to prove they are authorized to access the records.
Obtaining Copies of Las Cruces Birth Certificates
Birth records can be obtained from the county health center from Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.until Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at:
Dona Ana County Health Center
1170 N. Solano, Ste. A
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Phone: (575) 528-504
The health center only accepts walk-in requests for birth records and other vital records. Request times may change without notice so requesters are strongly advised to call first on (575) 528-5001 and make sure a vital records clerk is available. All requesters will need to present valid government identification to show they are permitted to access the record. The birth certificate from the county clerk will cost $10, the fee can be paid in cash or a check made payable to Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office.
Birth certificates can also be ordered from the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics of the New Mexico Department of Health. The record can be ordered in-person or by mail by filling a birth record application form and submitting it to the office or mailing it to:
New Mexico Vital Records
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125
Walk-in customers will have to show a valid acceptable identification while mail requests must include a photocopy of the identification in their request. Birth record application forms are also available in Spanish and requesters must pay a non-refundable search fee of $10 for each record search. Payment is made by certified check or money order made payable to “New Mexico Vital Records”
Where and How to Find Las Cruces Death Record
Death records for Las Cruces and New Mexico, in general, are restricted records at first, they only become public records 50 years after the death. Before that time has passed the records can only be requested by authorized individuals who show acceptable identification. These individuals include:
- Parents of the deceased on the record
- Immediate family (current spouse, children, siblings, grandparents)
- Legal guardian or custodian
- Legal agent or representative such as an attorney
- Requesters who represent tangible proof of legal interest in the death record
Death certificates for Las Cruces can be obtained from the Dona Ana County Health Center. Death certificates are requested by walk-in request during office hours of 8:30 a.m.until Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. from Monday-Friday. The center only accepts orders from customers who come to the center in person and show valid identification. Opening hours occasionally change without notice hence requesters are advised to call ahead at (575) 528-5001 to ensure a vital records clerk is present. The fee for the death certificate is $10 per copy payable in cash or a check made to the Dona Ana County Clerk’s Office.
On the state level, the death records for Las Cruces can be ordered from the state Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics office. Records can be ordered in person at the office or by mailing the complete English or Spanish death certificate application to:
New Mexico Vital Records
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125
A written request containing enough information to search for and locate the record quickly and accurately is also accepted. In-person requesters will need to show valid identification and mailed requests must include copies of the identification to show the requester is authorized to access the record. A nonrefundable fee of $5 is charged for each search for a record if it has been filed with the office. Acceptable payment is made by money order or certified check made out to New Mexico Vital Records.
