Get your certified New Mexico Divorce Certificate

The cost for a New Mexico divorce record varies by court. Certified copies of the divorce decree must be obtained from the District Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Contact the relevant clerk’s office for exact fees.

Yes. A legal representative, attorney, or authorized agent may request New Mexico divorce records on behalf of one of the parties to the divorce. You will need to provide a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your authorization, or a valid Power of Attorney (PoA) document granting you legal authority.

A New Mexico divorce certificate is a summary record confirming that a divorce took place, including the names of the parties and the date. A divorce decree is the full court order issued by the District Court that includes the terms of the divorce such as property division, custody, and support. Most legal and government purposes require the actual divorce decree from the court.

The design and security elements of these certificates can differ significantly from state to state.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Divorce: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

If your New Mexico divorce certificate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must request a replacement from the county where the divorce was recorded.

If you lose your divorce certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the COUNTY.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the county health department. Some counties may accept walk-ins; check with the specific county where the divorce record is filed.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the County.
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The county will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Corrections and amendments are usually handled by the county clerk’s office that issued the certificate. Divorce certificates can be amended if information was entered incorrectly at the time the certificate was created. You must follow county law requirements and provide documentation to support any changes. Some amendments may also require court orders.

Common errors that may need correction include:

• Misspelled names
• Incorrect dates
• Wrong location information

The County may require you to provide legal documentation to verify changes and obtain court orders for specific amendments, along with original or certified copies of supporting documents.

When filing a vital record with a foreign government, an apostille certification is often required. An apostille for New Mexico vital records can be acquired through the Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO).

VRO offers online apostille services that are accepted by governments and organizations in over 100 countries. Their service includes professional assistance for obtaining apostilles for divorce certificates in all 50 states, starting at $149, plus government fees.

Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.

If you request by mail, you’ll need to provide the following:

1. Please include the authentication request, which can be filed online at https://enterprise.sos.nm.gov/, with your original documents when submitted.
2. The statutory fee for a certification of appointment or an apostille is $3.00 per document. Checks and money orders should be made payable to New Mexico Secretary of State or NMSOS.
3. If your documents are being returned to a foreign country you must enclose a complete pre-paid, pre-addressed international air bill and international envelope.

Standard Mail/Express Courier Submissions:

New Mexico Secretary of State
New Mexico Capitol Annex North
325 Don Gaspar
Suite 300
Santa Fe, NM 87501