Getting Public Records
Section 14-2-8 — inspection as soon as practicable, and no later than fifteen days
Every person has a right to inspect the public records of the state, except the categories the act lists, among them certain medical and personnel records, trade secrets, attorney client privileged information and parts of law enforcement records.
Who handles this in New Mexico: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the New Mexico directory.
A written request gives the requester's name, address and telephone number and identifies the records with reasonable particularity. No one has to state a reason.
| Step | As the act provides |
|---|---|
| StepInspection | As the act providesImmediately or as soon as practicable, and no later than fifteen days after the written request |
| StepNot permitted within three business days | As the act providesThe custodian explains in writing when the records will be available or when it will respond |
| StepNot permitted within fifteen days | As the act providesThe request may be deemed denied, unless found excessively burdensome or broad |
| StepA denial | As the act providesA written explanation within fifteen days, naming who denied it |
A custodian who fails to give a timely written explanation of a denial may owe damages of up to $100 a day where the failure was unreasonable, and a requester who wins in court is awarded damages, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
Sources for this section (4)
- NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1 — Right to inspect public records; exceptions
- NMSA 1978, § 14-2-8 — Procedure for requesting records
- NMSA 1978, § 14-2-11 — Procedure for denied requests
- NMSA 1978, § 14-2-12 — Enforcement
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of November 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Mexico attorney.