Cibola County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Cibola County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Cibola County, New Mexico, may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state resources. CibolaRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating records maintained by Cibola County agencies. The types of records that may be found through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and financial documents
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
Members of the public may access court records through New Mexico Courts' Public Access, which provides case information for Magistrate Courts, District Courts, and other state courts. The re:Search℠NM platform provides online access to court records for the New Mexico Appellate Courts, District Courts, Magistrate Courts, Metropolitan Court, and Municipal Court. No registration is required to conduct basic searches, though some detailed records may require in-person inspection.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Cibola County Clerk's Office to inspect and request copies of property, vital, and administrative records. The Thirteenth Judicial District Court serves Cibola County for court-related records and accepts Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) requests in person.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests submitted under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act must include sufficient detail to identify the records sought. Under state law, agencies are required to respond within fifteen business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Cibola County Clerk's Office: (505) 285-2535
- Thirteenth Judicial District Court: (505) 285-2632
What Are Public Records in Cibola County?
Public records in Cibola County are defined under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1 et seq., as all documents, papers, letters, books, maps, tapes, photographs, recordings, and other materials, regardless of physical form, that are made or received by a government agency in connection with the transaction of public business. The following record types are maintained by various county and state offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Thirteenth Judicial District Court / Cibola County Magistrate Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Cibola County Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | New Mexico Department of Health / County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | Cibola County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Cibola County Assessor |
| Voting and election records | Cibola County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Cibola County Manager's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Cibola County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Cibola County Planning Department |
The Thirteenth Judicial District Court public records page serves Cibola County, Sandoval County, and Valencia County and accepts IPRA requests for court-related documents.
Is Cibola County an Open Records County?
Cibola County operates in full compliance with New Mexico's open records laws. Under NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1, the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act establishes that all public records are presumed to be open to inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. As stated by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office, "Every person has the right to inspect public records of this state." This presumption of openness applies to all county agencies, including the Clerk's Office, Assessor, Sheriff, and the courts serving Cibola County.
The Thirteenth Judicial District Court, which has jurisdiction over Cibola County, maintains a formal IPRA process. According to the court's public records policy, "Requests for public records may be submitted in writing to the custodian of records." County agencies are required to designate a custodian of records and to respond to inspection requests within fifteen business days. New Mexico's open records law does not require requestors to state a reason for seeking records, and no special status is required to submit a request.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cibola County?
The fee structure for public records in Cibola County is governed by NMSA 1978, § 14-2-9, which limits the fees that government agencies may charge for producing public records. Current standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25 (standard) |
| Certification of documents | Varies by office |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of duplication |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law |
- The Cibola County Clerk's Office charges recording fees for land records instruments, which vary by document type and number of pages.
- Vital record certified copies are subject to fees set by the New Mexico Department of Health.
- Court copy fees are set by the New Mexico Supreme Court and apply uniformly across district and magistrate courts.
- Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Individual offices may vary.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in the public interest, subject to agency discretion.
Does Cibola County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Cibola County. Under state law, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting public records at the custodian's office. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost during regular business hours. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The New Mexico Courts' Public Access portal provides free online access to case information for Cibola County Magistrate Court and the Thirteenth Judicial District Court.
- The Cibola County Magistrate Court docket is publicly available online at no charge.
- The New Mexico Corrections Department provides a free offender search tool that allows the public to search for information on individuals currently or previously in state custody.
- Property assessment data maintained by the Cibola County Assessor is available for public inspection at no charge.
Free inspection differs from free copies. While inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cibola County?
Any person may request public records in Cibola County. Under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request for most record types. This right extends equally to residents and non-residents of New Mexico.
Specific restrictions apply to certain record categories:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) may require proof of eligibility, such as a direct family relationship or legal interest, as governed by New Mexico Department of Health regulations.
- Juvenile court records are restricted and accessible only to authorized parties.
- Sealed court records require a court order for access.
- Law enforcement records related to ongoing investigations may be withheld pending case resolution.
Individuals requesting their own records may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted to third parties. Requestors seeking personal records should contact the relevant custodian of records directly to determine applicable procedures.
What Records Are Confidential in Cibola County?
Certain records maintained by Cibola County agencies are exempt from public disclosure. Under NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1(D), the following categories of records are exempt from inspection:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records and child welfare/protective services records
- Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA and state law)
- Adoption records
- Personnel files (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
- Attorney-client privileged communications involving government agencies
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian of records is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder. New Mexico courts apply a balancing test in cases where the public interest in disclosure may outweigh a claimed exemption.
Cibola County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cibola County Clerk's Office
700 East Roosevelt Avenue
Grants, NM 87020
(505) 285-2535
Cibola County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Thirteenth Judicial District Court – Cibola County
700 East Roosevelt Avenue
Grants, NM 87020
(505) 285-2632
Thirteenth Judicial District Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Cibola County Magistrate Court
700 East Roosevelt Avenue
Grants, NM 87020
(505) 285-3590
Cibola County Magistrate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cibola County Assessor's Office
700 East Roosevelt Avenue
Grants, NM 87020
(505) 285-2520
Cibola County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
New Mexico Corrections Department
4337 NM-14
Santa Fe, NM 87508
(505) 827-8709
New Mexico Corrections Department