Divorce records in Chaves County, New Mexico, can be accessed through several channels. ChavesCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Chaves County. You can also obtain records directly from the Fifth Judicial District Court, which handles divorce cases in Chaves County, or from the New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics office. The Chaves County Clerk's office and online court lookup tools offer additional ways to search for and request divorce-related documents.
Chaves County Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Chaves County are handled by the Fifth Judicial District Court, which serves Chaves, Eddy, and Lea counties. The district court clerk's office maintains the official case files, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and all related filings. The New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics also keeps divorce certificates — summary records that confirm a divorce took place but do not include the full case details.
You can search for basic case information online using the NM Case Lookup tool or the New Mexico Courts' Public Access portal. These tools let you look up case numbers, party names, and filing dates, though they do not provide copies of documents.
The Chaves County records collection typically includes:
- Divorce decrees (final judgments)
- Divorce certificates (vital records summary)
- Marital settlement agreements
- Custody and child support orders
- Motions, responses, and other court filings
Fifth Judicial District Court — Chaves County
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Chaves County
In New Mexico, divorce (called "dissolution of marriage") is filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resides. For Chaves County residents, that means the Fifth Judicial District Court in Roswell. The court provides divorce and family forms for self-represented parties.
After the judge signs the final decree, the court clerk's office retains the original record in the case file. The court also reports the divorce to the New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, which creates a divorce certificate.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, or other case filings | Fifth Judicial District Court Clerk — Chaves County |
| Divorce certificate (vital record confirming the divorce occurred) | New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics |
| Apostille or authentication of a divorce decree for international use | New Mexico Secretary of State — Apostille Office |
Fifth Judicial District Court Clerk — Chaves County
New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
To request court records under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), you can submit a request through the IPRA online request form or visit the Fifth Judicial District public records page. Court case records may also be inspected in person at the clerk's office. Some records in divorce cases — particularly those involving children or sealed by court order — may have restricted access.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Chaves County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (per page, non-certified) | $0.50 | Same day if requested in person |
| Certified copy of court document | $1.50 per page plus certification fee | 1–5 business days |
| Divorce certificate from Vital Records (search and first copy) | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copies of divorce certificate (same order) | $5.00 each | Included with initial order |
| IPRA request (inspection of court records) | No fee to inspect; copy fees may apply | Up to 15 calendar days for response |