Search San Juan Court Records

SanJuanCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on SanJuanCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

San Juan County, New Mexico State Court Records

Under Rule 1-079 NMRA, a court record is defined as "all or any part of a document, paper, exhibit, transcript, or other material filed or lodged with the court, and the register of actions and docket entries used by the court to document the activity in a case." These records provide for transparency and accountability in the judicial branch, ensuring that justice is served fairly.

Court records in San Juan County are primarily maintained by District Court Clerks, Magistrate Clerks, and Municipal Clerks, with each clerk tasked with the management of different types of court records. Court records are also valuable to other branches of government, as they constantly influence the generation of other records (e.g., property and vital records).

Are San Juan County Court Records Public?

Yes. Court records in San Juan County, like other government records, are governed by the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). The Public Records Act establishes that everyone has a right to inspect records maintained by courts in the state. The Act is also supported by court rules, such as Rule 1-079 NMRA of the New Mexico Supreme Court.

However, certain files and cases are protected from public view. Some records are protected by default, while others are protected by court order. The following records are automatically protected and hidden from public view in New Mexico, under Rule 1-079 NMRA:

  • Adoption records
  • Emergency isolation/quarantine orders
  • Court-ordered HIV testing records
  • Adult abuse and neglect records
  • Wills deposited for safekeeping
  • Assisted outpatient treatment records
  • Arrest record expungement petitions

What Information is Available in San Juan County Court Records?

San Juan County court records usually contain the following details:

  • Case information
  • The names of the parties in the case
  • The docket sheet
  • Hearing schedules
  • Transcripts
  • Documents filed in the case
  • Court orders and judgments

San Juan County Court Records Search

Individuals may search for San Juan County using any of the following methods:

Online Access

Members of the public can find San Juan County court records online through the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup portal. The portal is state-managed and provides access to District Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Court (limited to criminal domestic violence and DWI convictions) case summaries throughout the state. Researchers can perform a name, case number, or DWI search on the portal.

District and Magistrate Court information is updated every 24 hours. However, researchers should note that cases filed before 1997 may not be available for viewing on the portal. Also, juvenile criminal cases and Family Violence Protection Act Order of Protection cases are not accessible via the portal.

To access court records filed before 1997, individuals may submit an IPRA Request.

In-Person Access

Researchers can access San Juan County court records in person by visiting the Clerk of Court's Office where the case was filed. In-person access also allows individuals to obtain plain or certified copies of the court record. To obtain a copy, the inquirer will need to provide the case number or the full name of the party to the record for the clerk to locate the record and pay the applicable copy fees.

Mail and Phone Requests

Requests for copies of a San Juan County court record may also be made by mail. Individuals choosing this option should write a request letter containing the case number, party names, their contact information, and the documents they need. The request letter should then be mailed with a check or money order for payment, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the appropriate Clerk of Court's Office. Requesters should note that the turnaround time for mail requests is not as immediate as requests made in person at the office.

Fees for Court Records in San Juan County

The fees for court records in San Juan County depend on how they are accessed and the type of copies needed. Viewing a court record on the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup portal is free, while obtaining copies will incur a fee.

  • Photocopies: 35 cents per page
  • Certified Copies: $1.50 plus per-page cost
  • Exemplified Copies: $4.50 plus per-page cost
  • Audio Recordings of Hearings: $4 per CD or digital copy

San Juan County Courthouse Locations

San Juan County is part of New Mexico's Eleventh Judicial District. The San Juan County court system consists of District Courts, Magistrate Courts, a Probate Court, and Municipal Courts.

Aztec District Court

103 South Oliver

Aztec, NM 87410

Phone: (505) 334-6151

Fax: (505) 334-1940

Farmington District Court

851 Andrea Drive

Farmington, NM 87401

Phone: (505) 326-2256

Fax: (505) 326-1179

Aztec Magistrate Court

200 Gossett Drive

Aztec, NM 87410

Phone: (505) 334-9479

Farmington Magistrate Court

950 West Apache Street

Farmington, NM 87401

Phone: (505) 326-4338

San Juan County Probate Court

100 South Oliver Drive

Aztec, NM 87410

Phone: (505) 334-9471

Aztec Municipal Court

201 West Chaco Street

Aztec, NM 87410

Phone: (505) 334-7640

Farmington Municipal Court

800 Municipal Drive

Farmington, NM 87401

Phone: (505) 599-1247

Bloomfield Municipal Court

711 Ruth Lane

Bloomfield, NM 87413

Phone: (505) 632-6330

Criminal Records Access in San Juan County

A criminal record is an accumulation of documents detailing an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These documents encompass arrests, charges, indictments, and convictions. An individual's experience of the criminal justice system usually involves law enforcement and the court, so multiple government agencies manage criminal records.

Criminal history records in New Mexico are maintained by the Law Enforcement Bureau of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. These records are open only to the subject of the record, their counsel, or their authorized agent. To obtain a record, individuals may submit a notarized Authorization for Release of Information Form along with a $15 payment (check or money order) to the DPS.

The records of proceedings on criminal cases in San Juan County are managed by the courts. Researchers can view case summaries on the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup portal or visit the Clerk of Court's Office at the courthouse location where the charges were filed to inspect the record in person.

San Juan County Probate Records

San Juan County probate records are documents during the process of settling a deceased person's (decedent's) estate. Probate proceedings help prove the authenticity of the person's will, catalog their assets, distribute the assets to heirs, and pay any debts the person may have left. Probate cases in San Juan County are heard in the San Juan County Probate Court (for uncontested cases) and the Eleventh Judicial District Court (for contested cases).

Probate records are public in San Juan County, so they can generally be read or copied by anyone. Individuals seeking access to probate cases handled by the Probate Court may visit the San Juan County Clerk's Office. For contested cases, researchers may search the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup portal or visit the District Courthouse where the case was handled.

San Juan County Family Court Records

San Juan family court records are documents created during legal proceedings that involve domestic relations. These matters include domestic violence, divorces, marital settlements, child custody, child visitation, spousal support, and emergency protection orders.

Family law cases are handled by the District Court at the Aztec or the Farmington location. Family court records are publicly accessible in San Juan County, but there are strict privacy protections, so certain sensitive details will not be disclosed to the public. Inquirers can search public family case information on the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup portal or visit the courthouse for in-person access.

Federal Court Records in San Juan County

Federal court records are case files under the authority of the United States federal judiciary. These records document cases involving federal crimes, bankruptcy cases, or civil disputes spanning across states. Federal cases originating from San Juan County are managed by the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.

Individuals in San Juan County looking for federal court records may search the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. Individuals must register a user profile before they can search the portal.

San Juan County Court