Sandoval County Court Records Search
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Sandoval County stretches across north-central New Mexico from the outskirts of Albuquerque to the Jemez Mountains, with Bernalillo serving as the county seat. The county’s court system includes a District Court, two Magistrate Courts, a Probate Court, and several Municipal Courts. The District Court, part of the Thirteenth Judicial District, carries general jurisdiction over felonies, civil disputes, domestic relations, and contested probate matters. Magistrate Courts hear misdemeanors, infractions, and certain civil actions, while the Probate Court handles informal and uncontested estate cases. The District Court Clerk is the primary custodian of civil and criminal case records and makes them available to the public online, by mail, and in person.
New Mexico offers multiple paths for locating court records. Official clerk offices accept requests during business hours, and the state judiciary maintains a free Case Lookup tool where anyone can search electronic case data from courts statewide. Registered users who need expanded access, including the ability to view filed documents, can apply for re:Search®NM. For a broader look at court information across New Mexico, NewMexicoCourts.us may also help identify publicly available case records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sandoval County?
Sandoval County is served by several courts, each with its own location and focus. The table below lists every court, its address, and phone number.
| Court | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandoval County District Court | 1500 Idalia Road, Bldg. A, P.O. Box 600, Bernalillo, NM 87004 | (505) 867-2376 | berdissuedocs@nmcourts.gov |
| Magistrate Court (Bernalillo) | 1000 Montoya Road, Bernalillo, NM 87004 | (505) 867-5202 | bermadmin@nmcourts.gov |
| Magistrate Court (Cuba) | 6354 Highway 550, Cuba, NM 87013 | (505) 289-3519 | cubmadmin@nmcourts.gov |
| Sandoval County Probate Court | 1500 Idalia Road, Bldg. D, P.O. Box 40, Bernalillo, NM 87004 | (505) 867-7645 | amromero@sandovalcountynm.gov |
Several Municipal Courts also operate within the county, including courts in Bernalillo ((505) 771-5893), Corrales ((505) 897-0503), Edgewood ((505) 286-4518), Rio Rancho ((505) 891-5999), and Los Alamos ((505) 662-8025).
District Court Hours
The Sandoval County District Court is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 PM. On Wednesday, the court opens at 8:30 AM rather than 8:00 AM.
Online Case Search
The statewide Case Lookup portal is the quickest way to find Sandoval County case records without visiting the courthouse. Users can search by:
- Party name (last, first, or middle)
- Case number
- DWI citation
- Driver’s license number or date of birth (as supplemental filters)
The tool is free and returns docket entries, hearing dates, judge assignments, charges, and dispositions. Sealed, confidential, and certain juvenile records will not appear.
Requesting Copies by Mail
- Download and complete the Copy Request Form.
- Check the appropriate box under Case Information (Criminal, Civil, Family, or Probate) to narrow the search.
- Enclose payment for applicable fees — the court accepts credit cards, cash, or money orders for the exact amount.
- Mail the form and payment to: Sandoval County District Court, P.O. Box 600, Bernalillo, NM 87004.
- Processing takes approximately 10 business days.
District Court Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name search | $2.50 per name |
| Standard copies | $0.35 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.50 per certification |
| Microfilm copies | $0.50 per page |
| Audio CD | $4.00 per CD |
In-Person Requests
Walk-in visitors may request records at the District Court Clerk’s office during business hours. Provide a name or case number, and staff will locate the file. Copy fees apply.
Are Court Records Public in Sandoval County?
The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), codified at NMSA 1978 §§ 14-2-1 through 14-2-12, grants every person the right to inspect public records held by government bodies, including courts. Members of the public may view or copy court records maintained by any Sandoval County court unless those records are sealed by court order or fall within a statutory exemption.
Records Generally Open to the Public
- Case numbers, filing dates, and assigned judges
- Party names and case types
- Criminal charges, pleas, and dispositions
- Civil complaints, motions, orders, and judgments
- Register of actions and docket entries
- Hearing schedules
- Probate filings once a case has been opened
Records Exempt from Public Disclosure
Under IPRA and specific New Mexico statutes, the following categories are confidential:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Mental health proceedings
- Proceedings to appoint a guardian for an allegedly incapacitated person
- Proceedings to remove a firearm-related disability
- Proceedings under the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act
- Wills deposited with the court but not yet admitted to probate
- Conservatorship initiation filings
- Records sealed by court order
No special reason must be provided to inspect public court records. Requesters should be prepared to pay copying costs if they want reproductions rather than on-site viewing.
Sandoval County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Sandoval County are heard primarily by the District Court (felonies and some misdemeanors) and the Magistrate Courts (misdemeanors, DWI, and infractions). The District Court Clerk maintains the official record of all criminal filings processed at the district level.
Searching Criminal Records Online
The Case Lookup tool covers criminal cases across all Sandoval County courts. Search by defendant name, case number, or DWI citation to find charge details, hearing dates, and case outcomes at no cost.
Requesting Criminal Records by Mail or In Person
To obtain certified copies:
- Complete the Copy Request Form, checking the “Criminal” box.
- Include the $2.50 per-name search fee plus $0.35 per page for standard copies or $1.50 per certification.
- Mail to the District Court or visit the clerk’s office during business hours.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
The Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and investigative reports. Requests can be made in person at the Sheriff’s Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 7255 Oersted Road NE, Bernalillo, NM 87004
Phone: (505) 867-7526
Email: sheriffs_office@sandovalcountynm.gov
Contact the office in advance to confirm the process for obtaining copies.
The Sandoval County Detention Center publishes a current inmate roster online at no charge. The detention facility is located at 1100 Montoya Road, Bernalillo, NM 87004 (phone: (505) 867-5339).
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Records Bureau processes criminal background checks based on fingerprint records. To request your own criminal history:
- Complete and notarize the DPS Authorization for Release of Information form.
- Submit the original signed form with a $15.00 fee (money order or cashier’s check payable to “New Mexico Department of Public Safety”).
- Mail to: LERB Customer Engagement, P.O. Box 1628, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1628.
Under the New Mexico Arrest Record Information Act (NMSA 1978 § 29-10-6), individuals may inspect arrest record information concerning themselves either personally, through counsel, or through an authorized agent.
Sandoval County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Sandoval County is shared between the District Court and the Magistrate Courts. The District Court hears tort claims, contract disputes, real property actions, injunctions, and other civil matters without a monetary cap. Magistrate Courts handle lower-value civil disputes within their statutory jurisdiction.
How to Search Civil Records
- Online: Use the Case Lookup portal. Select the appropriate court or search across all courts by party name or case number.
- By Mail: Submit a completed Copy Request Form with the “Civil” box checked. Include payment for the $2.50 per-name search fee and any applicable copy charges. The court accepts credit cards, cash, or money orders.
- In Person: Visit the District Court Clerk during business hours with a name or case number. Copies are $0.35 per page; certified copies cost $1.50 per certification.
Property Records
Real property documents in Sandoval County are maintained by the County Clerk’s Office, not the courts. The Sandoval County Clerk records deeds, deeds of trust, plats, powers of attorney, and other instruments. To locate a document, provide a legal description, grantor or grantee name, or book and page number. Customer computers outside the Clerk’s Office are available for self-service research.
Copies from the Clerk’s Office cost $1.00 per page. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit card (a $1.75 service fee applies to card transactions).
The Assessor’s Property Records Search allows free online lookups by account number, parcel number, name, or situs address. The Treasurer’s Property Tax Search provides tax payment and balance information.
Sandoval County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Sandoval County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence protection orders, and equitable distribution — are adjudicated by the District Court. The District Court Clerk maintains these files, and many are accessible through the same methods used for other case types, though certain records carry additional confidentiality restrictions.
Searching Family Court Records
- Start with the Case Lookup tool; family cases appear when searching by party name or case number.
- For mail requests, submit a Copy Request Form with the “Family” box checked and the standard fees enclosed.
- In-person requests follow the same process and fee schedule as other District Court record requests.
Confidential records — such as those involving domestic violence victim addresses, guardian ad litem reports, or sealed protective order details — will not be available through public search tools. Parties to a case or their attorneys may request access to restricted filings directly from the court.
Dissolution of Marriage Records
Divorce decrees and related pleadings are maintained by the District Court Clerk. They can be located through Case Lookup or by contacting the clerk’s office with a case number or the names of the parties involved.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Sandoval County Clerk’s Office, not the courts. Key details:
- Fee: $55.00 (cash, check, or credit card accepted)
- Hours: Licenses are issued Monday through Friday during office hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Certified copy of a marriage record: $2.00 per copy
The Clerk’s Office issues two types of marriage records. Unredacted copies are confidential and available only to the couple or a person with a court order; a driver’s license is required for pickup. Redacted copies, with protected personal information removed, are available to the general public. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. Contact the Clerk’s Office at (505) 867-7572, Fax: (505) 771-8610, or email ClerksOffice@sandovalcountynm.gov for instructions.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in New Mexico are restricted-access records. Only immediate family members (parent, spouse, sibling, child, grandchild, grandparent) or individuals with a tangible legal interest may obtain copies. Death records become public 50 years after the date of death; birth records become public 100 years after the date of birth.
The New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics processes requests by mail, in person, online, or by phone:
- Online/Phone orders (through a third-party vendor at (877) 284-0963): UPS Next Day delivery costs $44.50 (birth) or $39.50 (death); regular mail delivery costs $26.00 (birth) or $21.00 (death). Processing takes 3–5 business days.
- Mail requests: Complete the appropriate application form — birth (English) or death (English) — and send it with a non-refundable search fee ($10.00 for birth, $5.00 for death) by certified check or money order to: New Mexico Vital Records, P.O. Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502.
- In-person requests: Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics, 2554 Camino Entrada, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone: (505) 827-0121 A government-issued photo ID is required.
Sandoval County Probate Court Records
The Sandoval County Probate Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that handles informal, uncontested probate matters. The court is presided over by an elected Probate Judge and is located on the first floor of the county administration building at 1500 Idalia Road, Building D, Bernalillo, NM 87004.
Services Provided
- Probating estates of deceased persons (testate and intestate)
- Probating wills
- Appointing special administrators
- Providing case information to title companies and the public
- Officiating wedding ceremonies (no charge)
Hours and Contact
- Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon
- Closed for lunch daily from 12:00 to 1:00 PM
- Phone: (505) 867-7645
- Fax: (505) 867-6699
- Email: amromero@sandovalcountynm.gov
Probate Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Informal Probate Application (Testate or Intestate) | $30.00 |
| Proof of Authority (Ancillary Probate) | $30.00 |
| Special Administrator Application | $30.00 |
| Copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of pleadings | $1.00 per document |
| Printed Probate Packet (Testate or Intestate) | $5.00 |
Accepted payment methods include cash (exact amount only), check, cashier’s check, certified check, and money order payable to Sandoval County Probate Court. All fees are non-refundable. No financial transactions are accepted after 4:00 PM.
Probate Forms
The court offers downloadable form packets on its Probate Court Forms page, including intestate, testate, proof of authority, and special administrator packets. Individual forms — such as the flowchart for opening and closing a probate case, the affidavit of poverty, and the small estate closing statement — are also available through the New Mexico Courts website. Printed packets may be purchased at the court for $5.00 or mailed upon advance payment plus postage.
Searching Probate Records
Probate cases processed by the Probate Court can be reviewed in person during business hours. For probate matters that involve contested issues or have been transferred to the District Court, records are searchable through the Case Lookup portal. Mail requests for District Court probate files follow the same Copy Request Form process and fee schedule described above — check the “Probate” box when completing the form.
Wills deposited with the court that have not yet entered formal or informal probate proceedings are confidential under New Mexico law and are not available for public inspection. Once a probate case is formally opened, the will and associated filings become part of the public record. Court staff can answer general procedural questions but are prohibited by New Mexico Supreme Court Rule NMRA 23-113 from providing legal advice regarding how to complete forms, distribute assets, or administer an estate.