Death Certificates
New Mexico death certificates are restricted access records. State law restricts access to death certificates to the deceased registrant's (also called decedent) immediate family members or those who represent tangible proof of legal interest in the requested record.
Immediate Family means any of the following: mother, father, sibling, child, current spouse, or maternal or paternal grandparent. Paternal grandparent is eligible if father is listed on the vital record.
Death certificates become public records fifty (50) years after the date of death.
Important Notice
We only issue certificates for individuals whom have died the state of New Mexico. Please see the Vital Records Reference by State to find out where to obtain death certificates for other states. To request a New Mexico death certificate, please continue reading below.
Request Online or by Phone
VitalChek is our authorized expediting service.
We do not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you may apply online through VitalChek, an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service.
We are now offering two options for ordering certificates through VitalChek. Customers can either order with 3-5 business day processing and Next Day Air delivery by UPS costing $44.50 (birth certificate) or $39.50 (death certificate) or by choosing the option with 3-5 business day processing with regular U. S. Mail delivery costing $26.00 (birth certificate) or $21.00 (death certificate).
VitalChek can be reached either through the VitalChek Express Certificate Service or by phone at 877-284-0963. All major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.
NOTE: You will be re-routed to VitalChek's secure website for order processing and payment. Additional service and shipping fees apply.
Request by Mail
When requesting a death certificate via the mail, you can either fill out the form and mail it in, or send a letter with specific information.
NOTE: A photocopy of your government issued photo ID is required with this application.
Fill Out Form
Print out the Death Record Search Application form and fill out all required fields. We also have a Spanish Version of the form.
Write a Letter
Instead of filling out the form, you can alternately write a letter with the following information.
- The decedent’s name.
- Date of death.
- City of death. Include county if known.
- The decedent's Social Security Number, if known.
- The name of the mortuary in charge of final arrangements.
- Requestor's relationship to the person on the death certificate.
- The purpose for which you are requesting the death certificate.
- Your name and signature.
- Your mailing address.
NOTE: A photocopy of your government issued photo ID is required with this application.
Always Use Your Physical Address
If you receive your mail at a post office box, please include a physical street address for our internal files.
Don't Forget to Include the Fee
The non-refundable search fee is $5 per certified copy if record is on file. Please make your certified check or money order payable to "New Mexico Vital Records" in the exact amount. Do not send cash.
Mail the Form or Letter with Fee
Please mail (do not email) your request along with the correct fee to:
New Mexico Vital Records
Post Office Box 26110
Santa Fe, NM 87502
Request in Person
Applicant must present current government issued picture identification and complete a search application. The search fee for a death certificate is $ 5.00 per certificate.
Santa Fe
Bureau of Vital Records & Health Statistics
2554 Camino Entrada
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm
505-827-0121 (Phone)
1-866-534-0051 (Toll Free)
NOTE: Public Health Offices do not issue death certificates. Death certificates can only be obtained through the Santa Fe office.