How to Find New Mexico Criminal Records

New Mexico criminal records are maintained by the New Mexico State Central Repository for Criminal History that contain the records of all those who have been arrested on charges of misdemeanors, felonies and DWI offenses. These are found on the website of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety at http://www.dps.nm.org/lawEnforcement/records.php. 

According to Chapter 29, Section 3, Paragraph 11 of the New Mexico State Statute, the repository is responsible for the collection of the relevant data, analyzing it and maintaining a database of the reports furnished by the law enforcement bodies in the state. You may want to go through these records before you employ someone or if you feel the need to check the background of a suspicious character in your neighborhood. 

The information contained in the New Mexico Criminal records is made on the basis of fingerprints. The arresting agency collects all the relevant information and submits the details to the State Repository for future reference. The agencies are responsible for the submission of the data and for their accuracy.

How to Access New Mexico Criminal Records

The Department of Public Safety in New Mexico facilitates the availability of background check and fingerprint verification services to both ordinary citizens and private organizations.  Background checks using New Mexico criminal records can be conducted before issuance of teacher licenses, child care licenses, recruitment of care providers, school employees, foster care providers and anyone hoping to adopt a child. 

An employee can request a background check that would include the Nationwide Background Check done by the FBI. There are several agencies that have the power to conduct a background check by virtue of a state statute. These include the Children, Youth and Families Department, Department of Health and the Public Education Department. You can contact the New Mexico Department of Public Safety for further information on the fingerprinting process at 505-827-9182.

Details about arrest records can also be obtained from the Department of Public Safety. You can download the Authorization for Release of Information from http://www.dps.nm.org/lawEnforcement/docs/Authorization%20for%20Releaseof%20Info%20Frm.pdf . The notarized form should be filled out correctly so that the information can be processed by the agency quickly and without much trouble.  A background check through New Mexico criminal records can be made after the payment of a $10 fee. In case of any confusion regarding background check, you can get in touch with the Department at (505) 827-9181. You can expect a response from them within a week or two from the receipt date. 

New Mexico Sex Offenders List

The New Mexico Sex Offender Registry is a crucial part of New Mexico criminal records. As per the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act in the state, the information contained in the records pertains to individuals convicted of a sex crime from July 1st, 1995. It also includes information on those who served a prison term or were left on probation from that time onward.

The sex offenders list is updated on a regular basis so that the residents can alerted when one of these offenders moves into your neighborhood.  You can sign up for the e-mail notification service. After you sign up for this service, an automatic alert will reach your mailbox as soon as a sex offender moves within a certain distance of your home. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety sponsors the e-mail service.  Visit http://www.nmsexoffender.dps.state.nm.us/, read the terms of usage and sign up for the service by filling out some basic information.  If you have any doubts about the accuracy of the information, then you can send an email to dps.sorna@state.nm.us or call (505) 827-9297.  The records are indispensable towards maintaining public safety and security and are of immense help to the general public.


The citizens of the state have the right to access New Mexico criminal records as per 29-10-6(A) of the New Mexico Arrest Record Information Act. This act entitles a citizen of the state to examine his or her personal record through an authorized agent or counsel.