Death Certificates

Before the business and legal issues of the estate can be pursued, it will be necessary to obtain certified copies of the death certificate. You can order them from the Funeral Director or directly from the Registrar of Vital Statistics in your area. It is always better to order a few more than what you think you will need. Most agencies will only accept certified death certificates and not photocopies, as photocopies are to be considered counterfeit. Certified (legal) copies cost $ 5.00 dollars each through The Bureau of Vital Records/Health Statistics, however a search fee of $ 5.00 dollars will apply. We will obtain them for a legal next of kin representative only, as a courtesy. Certified copies can take a minimum of 1 week to obtain, and possibly longer. When the Office of the Medical Investigator office is involved, the time delay can be longer. Please contact the vital records office directly for other questions.

Remarks: State office has had records since 1920 and delayed records since 1880.

Check or money order should be made payable to Vital Statistics. Personal checks are accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (505) 827-2338. This will be a recorded message.

Vital Statistics
New Mexico Health Services Division
P.O. Box 26110
Santa Fe, NM 87502