Marriage records in Chaves County, New Mexico, can be accessed through several channels. ChavesCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also contact the Chaves County Clerk's office directly, visit in person at the courthouse in Roswell, or submit a request by mail. For certified copies of marriage certificates, the New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics office (NMDOH) is an additional resource for events recorded statewide.
Chaves County Marriage Records Search
In New Mexico, the county clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains local marriage records. The Chaves County Clerk's office in Roswell is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and retaining the completed marriage certificates once they are returned after the ceremony. The collection includes marriage licenses issued in Chaves County, filed marriage certificates, and historical marriage records dating back through the county's record-keeping history.
At the state level, the New Mexico Department of Health — Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics — also maintains marriage records for events that occurred in New Mexico. You can search for public records through the New Mexico Courts system for court-related marriage matters such as annulments or name changes tied to marriage.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Chaves County
Fees for marriage record copies vary depending on whether you request them from the county clerk or from the state vital records office. Below are the standard fees based on published schedules:
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license (issued by County Clerk) | $25 | Chaves County Clerk / NMSA §40-1-2 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (State Vital Records) | $10 | NM Bureau of Vital Records |
| Additional certified copy (same order, State Vital Records) | $5 | NM Bureau of Vital Records |
| Search fee (no record found, State Vital Records) | $10 | NM Bureau of Vital Records |
Processing times at the state vital records office typically range from 4 to 6 weeks for mail-in requests. Contact the Chaves County Clerk directly for local copy fees and turnaround times, as these may differ from state-level fees.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Chaves County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Chaves County or the state of New Mexico:
Online
The New Mexico Department of Health partners with VitalChek for online orders of certified marriage certificates. You can place an order through the NM Vital Records online portal at the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics website. Expect additional processing and shipping fees when ordering online.
In Person
Visit the Chaves County Clerk's office during regular business hours:
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Walk-ins are generally accepted, but calling ahead at (575) 624-6614 is recommended to confirm availability and accepted payment methods.
By Mail
To request a certified marriage certificate by mail from the state vital records office, send the following to:
- A completed Application for Marriage Record (available from the Bureau of Vital Records)
- Full names of both spouses as they appeared on the license
- Approximate date and county of the marriage
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- A check or money order for the applicable fee, payable to the NM Vital Records
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
For local copies, contact the Chaves County Clerk to ask about their mail-in process and any required forms. You can also submit an Inspect Public Records Act (IPRA) request for court-related marriage documents through the Fifth Judicial District Court public records page.
If you need a marriage certificate authenticated with an apostille for international use, the New Mexico Secretary of State's office handles apostille services for vital records documents including marriage certificates.