Cibola County Court Records Search
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Cibola County, New Mexico maintains court records across several court levels, covering criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, domestic relations, probate estates, and local ordinance violations. These records — filed documents, orders, judgments, motions, transcripts, and exhibits — are created and preserved throughout the life of every court case. Under N.M. District Court Civil Rule 1-079, court records include any materials generated, filed, or lodged with a court in connection with the cases it handles.
You can locate Cibola County court case information through clerk offices at the courthouse, public access terminals, and online search tools. NewMexicoCourts.us is a useful resource for understanding how New Mexico's court system is organized and for finding publicly available case data. Depending on which court handled a case, records may also be accessible through the New Mexico Courts' statewide case lookup platform or through a formal records request submitted directly to the relevant court.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cibola County?
Start by identifying the right court — that's the essential first step. Cibola County cases are handled across four court types: District Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, and two Municipal Courts. Each has its own jurisdiction and keeps its own records.
Online Case Search
The New Mexico State Judiciary Case Lookup lets anyone search statewide court records by party name or case number, covering district courts, magistrate courts, and other participating courts. This is the most efficient way to start a remote search. The New Mexico Courts Odyssey Public Access portal also provides case record access for multiple court types statewide.
In-Person and Mail Requests
You can request court records in person at the relevant court's clerk office during business hours. For formal written requests, the New Mexico Courts system offers an IPRA online request form to inspect public court records electronically or to initiate a formal request for records held by a specific court.
Cibola County Courts — Locations and Contact Information
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Judicial District Court | 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 60, P.O. Box 758, Grants, NM 87020 | (505) 287-8831 | (505) 285-5755 |
| Cibola County Magistrate Court | 114 McBride Road, Suite B, Grants, NM 87020 | (505) 285-4605 | (505) 285-6485 |
| Cibola County Probate Court | 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 50, Grants, NM 87020 | (505) 285-2540 | (505) 285-5434 |
| Grants Municipal Court | 105 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite B, Grants, NM 87020 | (505) 287-3835 | (505) 285-3927 |
| Milan Municipal Court | 630 Uranium Ave., P.O. Box 2727, Milan, NM 87021 | (505) 285-9841 | (505) 285-4094 |
The 13th Judicial District Court serves Cibola, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties. Hours for the Cibola County District Court location are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00–5:00 p.m.; Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.–noon and 1:00–5:00 p.m. No financial transactions are accepted after 4:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Cibola County?
The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978 §14-2-1 et seq., together with N.M. District Court Civil Rule 1-079, establishes the public's right to access, inspect, and copy records maintained by New Mexico courts. As a result, most court records in Cibola County are open to any person who submits a proper request, unless the record is sealed by court order or specifically exempted under law.
The following categories are generally restricted or confidential:
- Medical records
- Adoption proceedings
- Certain juvenile records
- Mental health proceedings
- Wills deposited with a court for safekeeping
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Conservatorship appointment records
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, driver's license numbers, and bank account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents
For records held by the county's courts, submit requests through the IPRA request portal maintained by the New Mexico Courts system, or in person at the relevant court's clerk office. For records held by county agencies such as the Sheriff's Office, Cibola County provides a downloadable Public Records Request Form under its Transparency page.
Cibola County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Cibola County is divided between the 13th Judicial District Court and the Cibola County Magistrate Court based on the severity of the offense.
The 13th Judicial District Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over felony cases — matters where a conviction could result in a state penitentiary sentence. It also handles felony preliminary proceedings, appeals from lower courts, and juvenile delinquency matters. Criminal case records from the District Court are maintained by the court's clerk office at 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 60, Grants, NM 87020, and can be searched online through the New Mexico State Judiciary Case Lookup.
The Cibola County Magistrate Court handles misdemeanors, DWI/DUI charges, other traffic violations, and felony preliminary hearings. Magistrate Court records are also searchable through the statewide case lookup system. The court's current hearing schedule is posted on the Cibola County Magistrate Court Docket page of the 13th Judicial District website.
Municipal Courts in Grants and Milan handle misdemeanor violations of local ordinances. Records from these courts must be requested through each municipality's court office directly.
Arrest Records
Arrest records are created and maintained by law enforcement, not the courts. Cibola County arrest records generated by the Cibola County Sheriff's Office can be requested by contacting the Sheriff's administrative office:
Cibola County Sheriff's Office
Address: 2001 Clif Lear Ave., Grants, NM 87020
Phone: (505) 876-2040 | Toll-Free: (877) 898-0097
Requests for Sheriff's Office records should follow the IPRA process. Conviction records and other criminal case files are maintained by the clerk of whichever court heard the case — the District Court for felonies, the Magistrate Court for misdemeanors, and the relevant Municipal Court for ordinance violations.
Cibola County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Cibola County are divided by the amount in controversy and the type of claim between the District Court and the Magistrate Court.
- 13th Judicial District Court handles civil cases that exceed the Magistrate Court's jurisdictional ceiling, along with equity matters, quiet title actions, and other complex civil litigation.
- Cibola County Magistrate Court handles civil claims valued between $0 and $10,000, including landlord-tenant disputes and other money claims within that range. The Magistrate Court effectively functions as the county's small claims court.
District Court Filing Fees
The Thirteenth Judicial District Court fee schedule lists the following costs for filing civil cases. Note that exact cash only is accepted and no financial transactions are processed after 4:00 p.m.:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil Cases | $132.00 |
| Domestic Relations Cases | $137.00 |
| Domestic Violence Cases | Free |
| Adoption Cases | $132.00 |
| Probate Cases (District Court) | $132.00 |
| Magistrate Civil Appeal | $132.00 |
| Magistrate Criminal Appeal | $35.00 |
| Municipal Criminal Appeal | $20.00 |
| Jury Demand (6-person) | $150.00 |
| Jury Demand (12-person) | $300.00 |
Copy and Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopies | $0.35 per page |
| Microfilm Copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certification/Seal | $1.50 each |
| Exemplified Copy Seal | $4.50 each |
| Audio Duplication/CD | $4.00 |
| Fax: (in-state) | $2.50 per page |
| Fax: (out-of-state) | $5.00 per page |
Self-represented parties can access many court forms for free through the District Court, including all domestic violence forms, answer forms, general motion forms, subpoenas, and mediation request forms. Form packets for matters such as divorce, parentage, name change, and guardianship are available from the clerk's office for $5.00 each. The court holds monthly pro se clinics in each county — contact the clerk's office for current dates.
Property Records
Property documents including deeds, mortgages, and surveys are recorded and maintained by the Cibola County Clerk's Office at 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 50, Grants, NM 87020. The Recording and Filing Division can be reached at (505) 285-2535. Recorded documents are public records available for inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Electronic recording (eRecording) is also available through CSC at (866) 652-0111 or erecording@cscglobal.com. For property valuation and ownership data, the Cibola County Assessor's Office maintains a GIS mapping and ownership data portal and can be contacted at (505) 285-2566 or (505) 285-2526.
Cibola County Family Court Records
The 13th Judicial District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all domestic relations matters in Cibola County, including:
- Divorce and dissolution of marriage
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support establishment and modification
- Paternity actions
- Domestic violence restraining orders and civil protective orders
- Adoptions
- Juvenile delinquency and child abuse/neglect proceedings
Divorce records, including divorce decrees, are generated by the District Court and maintained by the court clerk at 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 60. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce judgment, contact the clerk's office at (505) 287-8831.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and marriage records are maintained by the Cibola County Clerk's Office at 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 50, Grants, NM 87020. Phone: (505) 285-2537 | Fax: (505) 285-2562 | Email: natalie.grine@co.cibola.nm.us. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Certified copies of marriage licenses serve as the legal proof of marriage in New Mexico — no separate "marriage certificate" is issued. Direct requests for marriage records to the County Clerk.
Birth and Death Records
Cibola County birth and death certificates are maintained by the New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. Birth records are restricted to the registrant's immediate family or those with a legal interest; they become public only 100 years after the date of birth. Death records are confidential for 50 years after the date of death.
The non-refundable search fee is $10 per certified copy for mail-in and in-person requests. Mail requests can use the Birth Record Search Application or the Death Record Search Application form. Send completed forms, a photocopy of acceptable ID, and a certified check or money order payable to "New Mexico Vital Records" to:
New Mexico Vital Records
P.O. Box 26110
Santa Fe, NM 87502
For expedited online ordering, VitalChek is the authorized partner service, reachable at (877) 284-0963. VitalChek options include 3–5 business day processing with Next Day Air UPS ($44.50 for birth / $39.50 for death) or regular mail delivery ($26.00 for birth / $21.00 for death). Cibola County residents may also request birth certificates locally through the Cibola Public Health Office at 700 E. Roosevelt, Suite 100, Grants, NM 87020, Phone: (505) 285-4601
Cibola County Probate Court Records
The Cibola County Probate Court is located at 700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Suite 50, Grants, NM 87020. The court is presided over by Probate Judge Josephine Hurtado, who can be reached at (505) 285-2552 or by mobile/text at (505) 290-2308, or by email at Josephine.Hurtado@co.cibola.nm.us. The Probate Court Clerk, Maria Grijalva, can be reached at (505) 285-2540.
Office Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Scheduled appointments are strongly recommended
Jurisdiction
Under New Mexico law, the Probate Court's authority is limited to informal proceedings only:
- Admitting wills to informal probate
- Appointing a personal representative without a will (intestate proceedings)
- Issuing a Certificate of Full Administration of an estate
- Performing marriage ceremonies
Probate jurisdiction in Cibola County applies when the decedent was domiciled in Cibola County at death, or when the decedent lived outside New Mexico but owned property in the county. Contested probate matters must be filed in the 13th Judicial District Court.
Probate Filing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Docket fee for informal probate | $30.00 |
| Certification of filed documents | $1.00 per document |
| Filed copies | $0.50 per page |
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and cashier's checks. Required documents for opening a probate estate typically include the original and valid will (including any codicils) and an original death certificate. The initial application must be signed in front of a notary public.
Accessing Probate Records
The Probate Court does not offer online remote access to its records. All probate record requests must be made in person at the clerk's office during the limited public hours listed above. To help those navigating the process without an attorney, the court provides a Probate Self Help Guide and a Probate Court Forms page on the county website. For more complex estate matters requiring contested proceedings or formal administration, cases must be filed with the 13th Judicial District Court, which also handles probate cases at its standard filing fee of $132.00.