Office of the County Clerk
Recording and Filing Department
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Recording and Filing Documents
Map and Plat Recording
Recording/Filing Fee Schedule
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Bureau of Elections
Marriage Licenses
Liquor Licenses
Other NM County Clerks' offices |
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The County Clerk's Office Recording and Filing Department records deeds, mortgages, leases and other real estate documents. In fact, any legal document can be filed in the County Clerk's Office. The County Clerk maintains microfilm copies of public documents dating back to the mid 1800's -- nearly three million official documents are on file!
Document Filing Requirements:
- Property must be identified with Grantor (seller) and Grantee (buyer). On Deeds, grantor must sign document.
- Street addresses will not be accepted. A complete legal description is required for transfer of property.
- Notary information must be complete. Signature, date, seal and expiration date is required.
Birth and death certificates are handled by the State of New Mexico. Click here for the web site for information on birth certificates. -- you must call (505) 841-4185 or use the following link: National Center for Health Statistics - New Mexico
Recording and Filing Documents
Q. As a new property owner, where do I go, and what steps should I take to record my ownership documents on a piece of property? And where do I go to have a document recorded?
A. Go to the local County Clerk's Office located on the 6th Floor at 1 Civic Plaza N.W. (at 5th and Marquette) - Albuquerque, N.M. 87102. Paid parking is available in the basement.
Upon reaching the 6th floor go to the Recording and Filing Dept., Room 6029, and record the ownership documents. The Recording and Filing Department records documents such as real estate contracts, and all new purchases or transfers of real property. We also record State and Federal liens, discharge papers, death certificates, hospital liens and release of liens, mortgages, living trusts, power of attorney, deeds of trust, plats, quit claim deeds and transcripts of judgement. There are over 150 instruments of public record.
Q. Why would the County Assessor’s Office refer me to the County Clerk’s office to obtain the recording date for my deed?
A. Whenever an individual wishes to assess property into his or her name, the Assessor requires a legal instrument proving ownership. If the document has been recorded with the County Clerk (Recording and Filing Dept.), the property owner can obtain a copy of proof of ownership. If you are recording your real estate contract, mortgage, warranty deed, or other proof of ownership for the first time, the document must then be presented to the County Assessor’s Office to ensure that the new owner’s name and mailing address is recorded onto the property assessment records. Exemptions may be added into assessment records.
The Recording and Filing office phone number is 468-1290 and the Assessor's office is 222-3700.
Q What are the recording fees?
A. Recording and Filing fees are $9.00 first page and $2.00 subsequent pages. See Fee Schedule.
Q. Can I record a copy, or must I record the original document?
A. The County Clerk’s Office (Recording and Filing Dept.) requires the original document, which must be signed by all pertinent parties and notarized. The original document is returned to you after being scanned, recorded, and indexed. If the original document cannot be obtained, a certified copy of the document will be accepted in lieu of the original. This information may also be retrieved, from the Recording and Filing Department of the County Clerk's Office,by using the buyer’s name (grantee), the seller’s name (grantor), or the document’s reception number.
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Q Can I obtain copies of recorded documents?
A. Copies of recorded documents are available for purchase. Those certified as being true and correct copies from the County Clerk’s records are certified for $1.00. Uncertified copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies of marriage records are $1.50.
Q. What are the procedures and fees for filing uniform Commercial Code documents?
A. Effective July 1, 2001, UCC Filings are to be filed in Santa Fe, N.M. at the Secretary of State's office. For information call 505-827-3600.
Q. Can the County Clerk’s Office search the records and tell me who owns a particular piece of real estate and whether there are any mortgages or liens on the property?
A. The County Clerk’s staff in the Recording and Filing Dept. will not process detailed real estate searches. Contact a Title Co. for assistance. However, information on real estate transactions, mortgages, or liens can be provided through our Customer Service Department. The County Clerk's Office also provides a Public Search Area for customers who wish to research Public Information on their own. The internet Document Search page provides indexed information on recorded documents. Customer Service phone number is 468-1238 or 468-1239.
Q. Can the County Clerk’s staff locate the property owner’s name if given a legal description of the property?
A. No. The County Clerk’s real estate records in the Recording and Filing Dept. are indexed by real estate transaction numbers or by grantors and grantees (sellers and buyers) with the date of the transaction. Historic microfiche records of buyers and sellers of real estate are located in the real estate section of Recording and Filing.
Q Can the County Clerk’s staff tell whether there are any liens on my property?
A. Yes. The Customer Service Department can assist you with any questions regarding real estate and public record.
Q. Are copies of subdivision maps available in the County Clerk’s Office?
A. Yes. Copies of recorded maps are filed and indexed by subdivision and are available for viewing. Copies may be purchased for $1 and $10, per page depending on the size.
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Q. A lien has been placed on my property. I have paid off the note, how do I remove the lien from the County Clerk’s record?
A. Even after the debt has been paid, a record of the lien will remain. A Release of the lien must be filed by the person or company who first filed the lien, stating that the lien has been paid or satisfied.
Q. If there is a lien on my property, what information will the Clerk’s records contain?
A. The Clerk’s staff in the Recording and Filing Dept. can provide information on the total amount of the lien and the lien holder’s name. Any additional information should be obtained from the lien holder.
Q If my spouse and I own property in joint tenancy and my spouse dies, how do I obtain sole title to the property?
A. Usually, you can record the Death Certificate in the County Clerk’s Office in the Recording and Filing Dept. and present the certificate to the County Assessor’s Office to change the assessment records. However, if the property is not held in joint tenancy, processing the estate in Probate Court may be required. You should obtain legal advice on all real estate transactions relating to your particular situation. The staff of the County Clerk’s Office cannot advise you on legal questions. The Probate Court phone number is: 468-1233 or 468-1234.
Q. Whom should I call with additional questions about public records at the County Clerk’s Office?
A. Call the County Clerk's Customer Service department at 468-1290 or visit the County Clerk's office located on the 6th floor at 1 Civic Plaza, Albuquerque, N.M. 87102.
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Other Services
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Uniform Commercial Code Filings: (Formerly called Chattel) Effective July 1, 2001 all UCC filings are to be filed in Santa Fe, N.M. at the Secretary of State's office. For more information call 505-827-3600.
Map and Plat Recording: The County Clerk’s Office (Maps & Plats Dept., 6th floor, Room 6029) files and records Real Estate subdivision maps and plats and is custodian of the records. Copies of maps and plats may be purchased in the Maps Dept, 6th Floor, Room 6022. Call the Maps dept. at 468-1203 or 468-1220.
Marriage Licenses: By law, the County Clerk’s Office is the only agency permitted to issue marriage licenses. All marriage license application are permanently filed, as are marriage records. The cost of a marriage license is $25, which must be paid in cash.
Marriage License requirements:
- Applicants must be one female and one male.
- Both applicants need to be present.
- Both need to be at least 18 years of age.
- Both need current legal pictured ID, or birth certificate.
- Both need proof of Social Security number.
- Fee is $25.00 cash only.
- Parental consent if 16 or 17 years of age.
- Court order if 15 years of age.
- Marriage licenses are issued and valid immediately.
- Marriage licenses do not expire.
- Blood tests are not required.
- Any questions please call Marriage License information line (505) 468-1243.
Liquor Licenses: The County Clerk’s Office handles the collection of any fees involved with liquor license hearings for license applicants, annual liquor license renewals, transfer of liquor license hearings, and picnic permits that fall within the unincorporated areas of the County, outside the city limits. The annual fee for a liquor license is $250 and a transfer hearing fee is $150. Picnic permits are $25 per day. All liquor licenses are to be renewed before July 1 of each year.
Maintenance of County Records: As ex-officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk is responsible for the recording and maintaining of all minutes of Zoning and Administrative meetings of the County records of the County Commission and of the County Board of Finance. As custodian of the records of the County, the clerk maintains and stores these minutes and all resolutions and ordinances passed, all of which are available for public access and research.
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The Bernalillo County Assessor and County Treasurer are public offices. For further information, please call the County Assessor at 222-3700 or the County Treasurer at 768-4031.
Other NM County Clerk's Offices:
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Catron
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575-533-6400
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Mora
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575-387-2448
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Chaves
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575-624-6614
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Otero
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575-437-4942
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Cibola
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505-285-9431
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Quay
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575-461-0510
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Colfax
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575-445-5551
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Rio Arriba Espanola
Terra Amarilla
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505-750-1780
575-588-7724
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Curry
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575-763-5591
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Roosevelt
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575-356-8562
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DeBaca
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575-355-2601
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San Juan
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505-334-9471
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Dona Ana
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575-647-7420
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San Miguel
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505-425-9331
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Eddy
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575-885-3383
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Sandoval
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505-867-7577
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Grant
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575-574-0042
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Santa Fe
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505-986-6280
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Guadalupe
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575-472-3791
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Sierra
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575-894-2840
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Harding
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575-673-2301
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Socorro
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575-835-0423
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Hidalgo
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575-542-9213
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Taos
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575-737-6400
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Lea
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575-396-8531
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Torrance
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505-246-4735
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Lincoln
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575-648-2394
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Union |
575-384-2221
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Los Alamos
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505-662-8010
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Valencia |
505-374-9491
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Luna
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505-546-0491
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McKinley
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505-722-4469
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