Valencia County Court Records Search
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Valencia County stretches across central New Mexico along the Rio Grande corridor, with the village of Los Lunas serving as the county seat. The county’s court system encompasses a district court, two magistrate courts, a probate court, and several municipal courts, all generating records that document legal proceedings from criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits to family disputes and estate matters. These records are maintained by the respective court clerks and by the Valencia County Clerk’s office, which also serves as the county recorder for property and vital record-related documents.
Those searching for court records in New Mexico have several options, from visiting a courthouse clerk’s window to conducting searches online. NewMexicoCourts.us can assist users in locating court directories, self-help resources, and publicly available case data across the state. Within Valencia County, the Thirteenth Judicial District Court clerk’s office handles district court filings, while the Valencia County Clerk manages recorded documents, marriage licenses, and certain copy requests. The New Mexico Judiciary also maintains an online Case Lookup portal and an Odyssey Public Access system that allow remote searching of electronic case records from participating courts statewide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Valencia County?
Valencia County falls within the Thirteenth Judicial District, which also covers Cibola and Sandoval counties. The district court handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, domestic relations matters, and appeals from lower courts. Magistrate courts in Belen and Los Lunas manage misdemeanors, traffic offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, and preliminary hearings. The Probate Court handles informal estate matters, and several municipal courts adjudicate city ordinance violations.
Valencia County District Court (Thirteenth Judicial District)
Address: 1835 Highway 314 SW, Los Lunas, NM 87031
Phone: (505) 865-2400
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 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.
Valencia County Magistrate Court (Belen)
Address: 639 Becker Avenue, Belen, NM 87002
Phone: (505) 864-7509
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Valencia County Magistrate Court (Los Lunas)
Address: 1206 Main Street NE, Los Lunas, NM 87031
Phone: (505) 865-4637
Valencia County Probate Court
Address: 444 Luna Avenue, Los Lunas, NM 87031
Phone: (505) 866-2432
Hours: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Municipal courts in Valencia County include:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Belen Municipal Court | 525 Becker Avenue, Belen, NM 87002 | (505) 966-2670 |
| Bosque Farms Municipal Court | 1455 West Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms, NM 87068 | (505) 869-9231 |
| Los Lunas Municipal Court | 660 Main Street NW, Los Lunas, NM 87031 | (505) 839-3844 |
| Peralta Municipal Court | 90A Molina Road, Peralta, NM 87042 | (505) 869-2205 |
| Rio Communities Municipal Court | 360 Rio Communities Boulevard, Rio Communities, NM 87002 | (505) 861-6803 |
Searching online. The New Mexico Judiciary’s Case Lookup portal allows users to search by name, court location, date of birth, or case number. For more detailed document-level access, registered users can search through re:SearchNM, a software application providing access to Odyssey court case information and documents by user profile.
In-person requests. Visit the appropriate court clerk’s office during business hours. Be prepared to provide the case number, names of parties involved, and the type of record requested.
Mail requests. Send a written request to the court clerk specifying the records needed, along with identifying details and any applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents.
For help navigating court procedures, the New Mexico Courts HelpLine is available at (855) 268-7804.
Are Court Records Public in Valencia County?
New Mexico operates under a presumption of public access to court records. The New Mexico Rules Governing Access to Court Records, particularly Rule 1-079 NMRA, establish the framework for determining which records are open and which are restricted. Under Rule 1-079, most court records are accessible to any member of the public, and requesters are not required to state a reason for seeking access.
Records generally open to public inspection include:
- Criminal case filings, charges, plea records, and sentencing orders
- Civil complaints, motions, judgments, and orders
- Divorce petitions and final decrees (though some financial details may be redacted)
- Probate petitions, wills admitted to probate, and estate administration orders
- Traffic and ordinance violation records
- Docket sheets and case indexes
Records that are restricted, sealed, or confidential include:
- Juvenile court proceedings and records
- Adoption records
- Records sealed by court order
- Expunged criminal records
- Mental health proceedings
- Certain personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, which are redacted from publicly accessible documents
- Pre-sentence reports
- In-camera materials and judicial deliberative notes
Rule 1-079 also addresses electronic access, requiring that records made available remotely comply with confidentiality requirements and that personally identifiable information be properly redacted before publication. The Secured Odyssey Public Access (SOPA) system provides a higher level of document access to credentialed users such as attorneys and press, while the standard public access portal displays limited information.
Valencia County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases arising in Valencia County are prosecuted at the district court level for felonies and at the magistrate court level for misdemeanors, DWI offenses, and preliminary felony hearings. Municipal courts handle violations of city ordinances. The clerk of each court maintains the criminal case files, which include complaints, arrest warrants, indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and certificates of disposition.
Where to search criminal records:
- Online — Use the New Mexico Case Lookup to search by defendant name, date of birth, or case number. Results display case type, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information for district and magistrate court cases.
- In person — Visit the District Court clerk’s office at 1835 Highway 314 SW, Los Lunas, or the relevant magistrate court during business hours. Bring case-identifying details to facilitate the search.
- By mail — Submit a written request to the court clerk with the defendant’s name, date of birth, case number, and a description of the documents needed. Include payment for any copy fees.
Arrest records and law enforcement records are maintained by the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments in Belen, Los Lunas, and other municipalities:
Valencia County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 543 Luna Avenue, Los Lunas, NM 87031
Phone: (505) 865-9130 (dispatch/report line)
To request arrest records, contact the specific agency that made the arrest. Valid identification and basic identifying information about the subject (full name, date of birth) will typically be required. Some agencies may charge a processing fee for copy requests.
Criminal background checks at the state level can be requested through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. The process typically requires fingerprint submission and payment of applicable fees. Court-based conviction records are also reflected in the Case Lookup system for cases processed through New Mexico’s court system.
Records that have been expunged by court order are removed from public access and will not appear in online searches. Juvenile criminal records are confidential under New Mexico law and are not available to the general public.
Valencia County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Valencia County are heard in the District Court for cases involving larger monetary claims, property disputes, and equitable relief, and in the magistrate courts for matters within their jurisdictional limits. Municipal courts may handle certain code enforcement-related civil actions. The District Court clerk maintains all civil case files for the Thirteenth Judicial District’s Valencia County office.
How to obtain civil court records:
- Online — The Case Lookup portal covers civil filings in district and magistrate courts. Search by party name, case number, or court location to view docket entries and case status.
- In person — Visit the District Court clerk at 1835 Highway 314 SW, Los Lunas, during business hours. Provide the case number or party names to help staff locate the file.
- By mail — Send a written request to the court clerk specifying the records needed, with contact details and applicable fees.
Copy fees at the Valencia County Clerk’s office (for recorded documents and property records):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies made by customers | $0.50 per page |
| Copies made by Clerk’s staff | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $2.50 per document (general documents) |
| Surveys/plats (11×17 or smaller) | $1.00 |
| Surveys/plats (18×24) | $5.00 |
| Surveys/plats (larger than 18×24) | $8.00 |
District court copy fees are set by state rules and may differ. Contact the District Court clerk at (505) 865-2400 to confirm current charges for certified and uncertified copies of court records.
Self-represented litigants can access forms and instructions through the New Mexico Courts Forms Library and the Self-Representation resource center maintained by the judiciary. These resources include standardized forms for civil complaints, answers, motions, and various post-judgment collection documents.
Property records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats — are recorded and maintained by the Valencia County Clerk’s office at 444 Luna Avenue, Los Lunas. Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested by mail with written instructions, the correct fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid shipping packet.
Valencia County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Valencia County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders, paternity, and adoption — are handled through the domestic relations division of the District Court at the Thirteenth Judicial District’s Valencia County office. The District Court clerk maintains these case files.
Divorce. New Mexico recognizes both fault-based and no-fault grounds for dissolution of marriage. Divorce petitions and final decrees are filed with the District Court and are generally accessible through the Case Lookup portal. Detailed financial disclosures and certain personal information contained in the file may be restricted or redacted in accordance with Rule 1-079. Copies of divorce documents can be requested from the District Court clerk in person, by mail, or — for basic docket information — searched online.
Domestic violence. Orders of protection are issued by the District Court or the magistrate courts. These filings are part of the court record but may contain restricted personal information such as safe addresses.
Adoption. Adoption records in New Mexico are sealed and not available for public inspection. Access is limited to parties to the proceeding and individuals with a court order.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Valencia County Clerk’s office:
Valencia County Clerk
Address: 444 Luna Avenue, Los Lunas, NM 87031
Phone: (505) 866-2073
Fax: (505) 866-2015
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The marriage license fee is $25.00 (note: effective June 20, 2025, the fee increased to $55.00). Both applicants must appear in person with a government-issued photo ID as proof of age and identity. Applicants ages 16–17 need original or certified birth certificates and written consent from each living parent. The signed license must be returned to the Clerk’s office within 90 days of the ceremony and is valid for ceremonies anywhere within New Mexico.
Birth and death records. The New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics maintains birth and death records for the state. Certificates can be ordered using the official birth record application or death record application. Requests can be submitted online, in person (call ahead), or by phone. The fee is $10.00 per copy. Contact the Bureau’s Albuquerque office at (505) 841-4115 or the Santa Fe office at (505) 827-8780. Access is restricted to the individual named on the certificate, immediate family members, or legal representatives.
Valencia County Probate Court Records
The Valencia County Probate Court handles informal probate proceedings as defined by the New Mexico Probate Code. This is a court of limited jurisdiction — it does not handle contested estates, formal probate, guardianships, conservatorships, or trust matters, which fall under District Court jurisdiction.
Probate Court jurisdiction includes:
- Informal admission of a Last Will and Testament to probate
- Informal appointment of personal representatives
- Fixing bond according to the formula in the State Probate Code
- Release of liens securing a personal representative’s performance
- Signing a certificate that a personal representative appears to have fully executed an estate
Valencia County Probate Court
Address: 444 Luna Avenue, Los Lunas, NM 87031
Phone: (505) 866-2432
Judge: Wendy Wallace
Hours: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Filing fees. The probate filing fee schedule per the Valencia County Clerk’s fee list includes:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New probate case | $30.00 |
| Probate copies | $1.00 per page |
With efficient planning, an uncontested informal probate can typically be opened and closed within six to twelve months.
When to file. A probate case can be filed more than 120 hours after the person has died but within three years of the date of death. After three years, an informal proceeding may be commenced solely for the purpose of establishing a devise of property.
Personal representative qualifications. Any person over age 18 may qualify as a personal representative. Close relatives of the deceased have priority if the will does not name a representative.
How to access probate records:
- In person — Visit the Probate Court at 444 Luna Avenue, Los Lunas, during Wednesday hours (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.). Provide the decedent’s name, date of death, or case number.
- Online — Some probate records filed in District Court (for formal probate cases) may be searchable through the New Mexico Case Lookup. Informal probate records maintained by the Probate Court should be requested directly from the court.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Probate Court or County Clerk at P.O. Box 969, Los Lunas, NM 87031, with identifying details and applicable fees.
Probate records — including petitions, wills, letters testamentary, and closing documents — are generally public records. However, if the District Court has sealed any portion of a related proceeding, those specific documents would be restricted. Adoption cases handled through the court system are sealed regardless of which court processed them.
For statewide probate and self-representation forms, the New Mexico Courts Forms Library offers downloadable documents covering estate administration, guardianship, and related filings accepted by courts throughout the state.