New Mexico Birth Records

New Mexico birth records are official documents that record live births in the state. New Mexico began systematically recording births in 1920, with delayed registrations available for births as early as 1880.

New Mexico provides two primary types of birth certificates, each serving distinct purposes:

• Authorized or Certified Copies: An authorized copy of a birth record is the original copy, bearing the issuing officer's signature and a raised or embossed seal validating the document's authenticity. It is required for legal purposes. In New Mexico, certified copies of birth records may be issued as long-form or short-form birth certificates.
• Long-form Birth Certificates: The long-form birth certificate is the complete, certified copy of the birth record. It bears detailed information about the registrant, including full names, gender, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names, parents' birthplaces, signature of the attending physician, state file number, and filing date. The long-form birth certificate is ideal for all legal processes in the state.
• Short-form Birth Certificate: It is an abridged, condensed version of the birth certificate. It is less detailed and contains information, such as the registrant's full name, gender, date of birth, and place of birth. It omits detailed information contained in the long-form birth certificate, such as parentage details, registrar's signature, and file number. It is a routine form of identification and may not be suitable for all legal purposes. They are ideal for situations where minimal documentation suffices.
• Informational or Uncertified Copies: The informational copies of birth certificates contain core information on a New Mexico birth. However, they are usually printed on plain paper and are only issued after a predetermined period has passed. They are not a valid means of identification and cannot be used for official transactions. Informational copies of New Mexico birth certificates are best suited for personal or genealogical research.

How To Order a New Mexico Birth Certificate?

You may order certified copies of New Mexico birth certificates issued from 1920 to date from the New Mexico Department of Health Vital Records and Health Statistics. You may order the document online or by mail. Online requests for certified copies of birth certificates are made through an approved third-party service provider. The service provider charges additional fees in addition to the birth certificate fee.

Persons ordering certified copies of New Mexico birth certificates by mail may complete the Birth Record Search Application form. If a person other than the registrant is purchasing the birth certificate may include proof of their relationship with the record holder. In addition, all record requests may include a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. It costs $10 to order a certified copy of a New Mexico birth certificate, with additional copies also costing $10. Mail the record request to:

Alternatively, you may order certified copies of New Mexico birth certificates from any of the Public Health Offices (PHOs) near you. Most PHOs allow for in-person requests for birth certificates. However, most offices have limited days and hours. Therefore, call the office before visiting to ensure their availability.

Birth certificates from 1920 are available at the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives and at the County Clerk's offices where the birth was reported.

Are Birth Records Public in New Mexico?

No. New Mexico treats birth records as confidential vital records. This means that birth certificates are not open for general viewing or copying by the public. The state restricts public access to prevent unwarranted invasion of personal privacy and misuse of personal information. New Mexico restricts public access to birth records for a predetermined period. During this period, when the birth record is deemed confidential, only certain eligible individuals may legally order certified copies of birth certificates.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in New Mexico?

Under New Mexico law, only persons who can demonstrate a direct, familial, or legal relationship with the record holder may obtain certified copies of birth certificates. These individuals include:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• The parents listed on the birth certificate
• Immediate family members, including siblings, children, grandchildren, current spouse, and grandparents
• Legal guardians or adoptive parents
• Authorized legal representatives, with proof of legal interest

How Long Does it Take to Get A New Mexico Birth Certificate?

The standard processing times for birth certificates ordered by mail from the New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics are 6-12 weeks. Birth records ordered online are typically processed within 3-5 business days. Next-day delivery services are available using this service provider for $44.50. You can get birth certificates ordered from your PHO on the same day. The New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics office does not offer expedited processing for birth certificate requests.

Where Can I Find New Mexico Birth Records Free?

While certified copies of birth certificates are restricted to authorized individuals in New Mexico, informational copies and basic birth details can often be accessed for free through other resources.

The National Archives and State Historical Societies provide delayed registrations and church records of births from 1880 to 1920. The National Archives holds census records, military drafts, and other documents indirectly referencing births for pre-1920 births.

The National Vital Records Archives, although not a web tool to look up informational birth records, its "Where to Write" tool directs you to the proper state or local office for New Mexico delayed filings from 1880 to 1919 and state-held birth records from 1920 to the present. The tool confirms which office holds the birth records.

FamilySearch.org is a genealogy website that hosts a vast database of indexed birth certificates, church records, and family histories. Most of the birth records before 1940 are available in digitized formats. You may also access delayed birth registrations from 1880 to 1940 on the platform.

Ancestry.com is also a genealogy website that provides access to birth indexes, census data, and family trees. The platform requires a subscription to access birth indexes and select certificates from 1880 to 1950.

PublicRecords.us aggregates birth certificates from multiple governmental sources to provide a comprehensive database of public records, including New Mexico birth records. The platform is ideal for accessing more current birth records. You may view basic birth information, such as the registrant's name, date of birth, and county of birth, on the platform. Detailed information on birth records may require a minimal fee.

When Would I Need My New Mexico Birth Records?

A birth certificate is a vital document that serves as foundational proof of one's identity, citizenship, and familial relationships. There are various situations where you may need to prove your identity; they include:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Obtaining or replacing a Social Security card
• Enrollment in schools or universities
• Employment eligibility verification
• Enlisting in the military
• Obtaining a marriage license
• Finalizing adoption proceedings
• Accessing insurance claims
• Claiming estates and pension benefits
• Obtaining a driver's license or a state-issued ID
• Conducting legal name changes
• Amending gender designation

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in New Mexico?

You may replace your birth certificate in New Mexico if the original document is missing, becomes unreadable, torn, or destroyed. The process to replace your New Mexico birth certificate is the same process as obtaining a certified birth certificate.

You may replace your birth certificate at the New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics or your local PHO. To replace the document, complete the Birth Record Search Application form. Include a copy of a valid government-issued ID and the fees. Mail the completed application to the state Vital Records Office or visit your local PHO to request the replacement. It costs $10 to replace your birth certificate in New Mexico.

When Can the Public Access New Mexico Birth Certificates?

In New Mexico, birth certificates are not public records. Per state law, they are restricted from public view for 100 years from the birth date. During the period, only qualified applicants may access certified copies of the birth certificate. However, once the 100-year period lapses, birth certificates become publicly available as informational copies.

How To Correct an Error on a New Mexico Birth Certificate?

You may correct the following errors on your New Mexico birth certificate:

• Clerical or typographical errors, such as misspelled names, incorrect dates, or misrecorded birthplaces
• Legal name changes. It requires a court order
• Gender designation updates
• Paternity adjustments

To correct errors on your birth certificate, complete the Birth Record Search Application form and check the "Amendment to Vital Records" box on the document. Include the certified copy or the original birth certificate and other documents, such as hospital records, school records, or baptismal certificates, supporting the amendment. Mail the amendment request to the State Vital Records and Health Statistics Office. It costs $10 to amend your birth certificate in New Mexico.

Does New Mexico Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Yes. New Mexico allows residents to obtain gender-neutral birth certificates designated as "X" on their birth certificates alongside the traditional genders "Male" and "Female". Effective October 2019, Senate Bill 20 repealed the former requirement for sex-reassignment surgery before amending birth certificate gender markers. The bill added a third category, "X", for "other or undesignated gender".

The amendment does not require surgery, a court order, or medical documents. Requests to amend birth certificates must include the amendment form, a copy of the original birth certificate, and the fees.