Common Questions About Public Records in Albuquerque

Real questions from people researching records in Albuquerque. Each answer is verified against official agency sources — no third-party services.

🔍 How do I get a criminal background check in Albuquerque? ▼

Albuquerque, NM background check: New Mexico Department of Public Safety Background Check Unit (https://www.dps.nm.gov/index.php/dps-application-process/) — $44 fingerprint statewide criminal history, NMSA §29-10-1 (https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4458/index.do). Live scan IdentoGO New Mexico (https://www.identogo.com/locations/new-mexico). Albuquerque PD records (https://www.cabq.gov/police/records). Bernalillo County Sheriff/MDC inmate (https://www.bernco.gov/sheriff/). Court records: New Mexico Courts Case Lookup (https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov/) free statewide. FBI Identity History Summary $18. NM Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA §14-2-1). Ban-the-box: NMSA §28-2-3 Criminal Offender Employment Act.

Tagged: Albuquerque · background check

🚔 What's the source for arrest records in Albuquerque? ▼

Albuquerque, NM (Bernalillo County) arrest records source: Albuquerque PD records (https://www.cabq.gov/police/records) — public via NM Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA §14-2-1). Bernalillo County Sheriff (https://www.bernco.gov/sheriff) and Metropolitan Detention Center inmate (https://www.bernco.gov/sheriff/mdc/). Statewide criminal history: NM DPS Background Check Unit (https://www.dps.nm.gov/index.php/dps-application-process/) $44 fingerprint, NMSA §29-10-1. Court records: New Mexico Courts Case Lookup (https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov/) free statewide. FBI Identity History Summary $18. Albuquerque Journal (https://www.abqjournal.com/) for community blotter.

Tagged: Albuquerque · arrest

❓ Where can I find information about babies born on a specific date? ▼

In New Mexico, birth records are restricted access for 100 years from the date of birth (NMSA 24-14-27 and 7.2.2 NMAC). Direct lookup by date of birth is therefore not available to the general public for any baby born within the last century in Albuquerque or Bernalillo County. Birth certificates older than 100 years are public records. Request information from the NM Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics, PO Box 25767, Albuquerque NM 87125 — https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/bvrhs/vrp/birth/ and https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/bvrhs/vrp/ . Online ordering via VitalChek https://www.vitalchek.com/v/birth-certificates/new-mexico/new-mexico-vital-records . Genealogical research aid: https://abqlibrary.org/genealogy/vitalrecords .

Tagged: Albuquerque · general

❓ How can I find out how often the police were called to a particular home in New Mexico? ▼

To find out how often police were called to a particular home in New Mexico, file a NM Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA §14-2-1) request with the local police department or sheriff's office. Specify the address and time period. The CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) log shows all calls for service to that address, with date, time, call type, and disposition. The Albuquerque Police Department at https://www.cabq.gov/police, Las Cruces PD at https://www.las-cruces.org/police, and Santa Fe PD at https://www.santafenm.gov/police all accept IPRA requests. Standard fees: about $1 per page (or actual cost). Sources: NM IPRA (https://www.nmag.gov/open-government/), Albuquerque PD (https://www.cabq.gov/police).

Tagged: New Mexico · general

❓ How can I find out if someone has filed a restraining order against me in New Mexico? ▼

To find out if someone has filed a restraining order against you in New Mexico, search the NM Courts Case Lookup at https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov/. Restraining orders are filed as 'Domestic Violence Petition' or 'Order of Protection' in District Court (or Magistrate Court for some Family Violence Protection Orders). The case is generally public unless sealed under NMSA §40-13-3.2. If served, you'll receive notice from the court or a process server. To verify, contact the District Court Clerk in the county where the order may have been filed. NM Courts directory at https://www.nmcourts.gov/. Sources: NM Courts (https://www.nmcourts.gov/), NMSA Family Violence Protection Act (https://www.nmlegis.gov/).

Tagged: New Mexico · restraining

🔍 What's the right way to do a background check on someone in New Mexico? ▼

To run a background check in New Mexico, the NM Department of Public Safety Records Bureau at https://www.dps.nm.gov/ accepts mail-in fingerprint cards for state criminal history ($14 state, $19.25 FBI) at 4491 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505-827-9181). Subjects can request their own record (NMSA §29-10). For licensure (healthcare, education, child care), fingerprinting is done through state-approved vendors. Court records are free at https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov/. New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA §14-2-1) makes most criminal records public; arrest-only records older than one year without disposition cannot be used in employment decisions. Sources: NM DPS (https://www.dps.nm.gov/), NM IPRA (https://www.nmag.gov/open-government/).

Tagged: New Mexico · background check

Have a question about records in Albuquerque? The agencies that hold these records are listed throughout this page — start there.

Albuquerque, New Mexico · Public Records

Albuquerque Public Records, Court Cases & Arrests

Search court records, arrest information, criminal history, and police reports for Albuquerque, located in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. All records linked here come from official government sources.

Records access in Albuquerque

Law enforcement in Albuquerque is primarily provided by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), tasked with maintaining public safety and enforcing the law within the city limits. The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is key to law enforcement, particularly in the unincorporated areas of the county. If you need to obtain arrest records, mugshots, booking records, or criminal history, the process begins at the APD Records Unit, where individuals can request public records by submitting a formal request in person or via mail. In instances where the records pertain to incidents handled by the BCSO, requests can be directed to their Records Division. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety operates the New Mexico Criminal History Record Repository, where individuals can submit requests for statewide criminal history checks. Online lookup portals exist, such as the New Mexico Department of Public Safety's website, which provides access to certain criminal records, ensuring greater convenience for residents conducting background checks. The judicial system serving Albuquerque is centered around the Bernalillo County District Court, which handles a wide array of civil and criminal cases. To request court records, individuals may use the court's online portal for electronic access or visit the court clerk’s office in person to submit a request. For vital records, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, residents can contact the Bernalillo County Clerk-Recorder or the New Mexico Department of Health's Vital Records Office. Property records are accessible via the Bernalillo County Assessor's and Recorder's offices, both of which offer online databases for ease of use. The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act allows citizens to request general public records from government agencies. Typically, responses to these requests are processed within 5 to 10 business days, ensuring that residents have timely access to important information. Through these various channels, the residents of Albuquerque can engage with their local government and use vital public records for personal, legal, and civic purposes.

Crime statistics · Albuquerque · FBI UCR 2024

Reported offenses for the Albuquerque jurisdiction, total population 564147. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program.

Violent crimes	Property crimes
Total: 7831 Murder & non-negligent manslaughter: 120 Rape: 497 Robbery: 2930 Aggravated assault: 5525	Total: 41350 Burglary: 7297 Larceny / theft: 26670 Motor-vehicle theft: 7710 Arson: 133

Reporting period: calendar year 2024.

Albuquerque · Population & demographics

Total population	545852
White	69.7%
Black or African American	3.3%
Asian	2.6%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	46.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial count.

New Mexico public records law

Records held by Albuquerque city offices, the Bernalillo County Sheriff, and the Bernalillo County courts are subject to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA § 14-2-1).

Where to file a records request in Albuquerque

Police records: file with the Albuquerque Police Department or via the Bernalillo County Sheriff for unincorporated areas.

Court records: Bernalillo County courts handle criminal, civil, family, and probate matters.

Booking and inmate records: Bernalillo County Sheriff publishes a public inmate roster including booking photos and charges.