Vital records in New Mexico — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by New Mexico DOH Vital Records. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the County Clerk.
What this page covers: New Mexico vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact New Mexico DOH Vital Records. For marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
New Mexico Vital Records — Key Facts (2026)
What Changed in 2026 — New Mexico Vital Records
The 4-Step New Mexico Vital Records Pathway
Five Things People Get Wrong About New Mexico Vital Records
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.nmhealth.org — Official New Mexico Vital Records — State portal for New Mexico vital records
- CDC National Vital Statistics System — National Vital Statistics System
- CDC — Where to Write for Records — CDC state-by-state directory
- National Archives — Vital Records — Federal genealogy & vital guide
- Social Security Death Master File — Social Security death records
- Census — Births and Deaths — Census Bureau vital statistics
- VA — Veterans Records — Veterans Administration records
Related Vital Records Resources
- New Mexico Court Records →
- New Mexico Criminal Records →
- New Mexico Property Records →
- New Mexico Voter Records →
- New Mexico Wants & Warrants →
- New Mexico Licenses →
- New Mexico Recorded Documents →
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Vital Records Databases
9 official New Mexico vital records sources.
Vital Records
New Mexico Counties
33 New Mexico counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I order a New Mexico birth certificate?▼
Certified birth certificates for events in New Mexico are issued by the Official New Mexico Vital Records at www.nmhealth.org. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.
How do I get a New Mexico death certificate?▼
New Mexico death certificates are issued by the Official New Mexico Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at www.nmhealth.org. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.
Can I look up a New Mexico marriage or divorce record online?▼
New Mexico marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official New Mexico Vital Records (www.nmhealth.org) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.
How long does it take to get a New Mexico vital record?▼
Standard New Mexico vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official New Mexico Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at www.nmhealth.org. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.
What ID do I need to order a New Mexico certified vital record?▼
The Official New Mexico Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at www.nmhealth.org.