New Mexico · 33 counties
When someone dies in New Mexico
Two things matter first: getting certified death certificates, and, if money is short, reaching the burial assistance program in the county where the death happened. Pick your county below for exact contacts.
The paperwork
Death certificates in New Mexico
Certified copies come from the New Mexico Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (official site).
The state search fee is only $5 per certified copy if the record is on file, which is among the cheapest anywhere, but average processing runs 6 to 12 weeks. VitalChek is the authorized expediting service because the state does not take credit cards or direct online orders: 3 to 5 business day processing costs $21.00 with regular mail or $39.50 with UPS Next Day Air, reachable at 877-284-0963. Mail goes to New Mexico Vital Records, P.O. Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502, with a certified check or money order payable to New Mexico Vital Records, never cash. Access is limited to immediate family, meaning mother, father, sibling, child, current spouse, or a grandparent, or someone with tangible proof of legal interest.
Planning ahead
Nobody has died yet? Set up a power of attorney
If someone you love is aging or ill, the cheapest protection your family can get is a power of attorney, and it must happen while they can still sign. We cover New Mexico's exact rules and official forms.
New Mexico power of attorney rulesIf money is tight
Statewide burial assistance
New Mexico runs a state Burial Assistance Program through the Health Care Authority's Income Support Division to help pay funeral costs for people who were low income at the time of death, including those who were getting help like General Assistance, New Mexico Works, or Medicaid. If the family's available money and benefits add up to less than 600 dollars toward the funeral, the state can pay up to 200 dollars toward the cost. A request for this help can be made by the family, the mortuary, or another funeral provider, so it is best to contact the Income Support Division before finalizing arrangements with a funeral home.
Pick your county
New Mexico counties (33)
Bernalillo CountyCatron CountyChaves CountyCibola CountyColfax CountyCurry CountyDe Baca CountyDoña Ana CountyEddy CountyGrant CountyGuadalupe CountyHarding CountyHidalgo CountyLea CountyLincoln CountyLos Alamos CountyLuna CountyMcKinley CountyMora CountyOtero CountyQuay CountyRio Arriba CountyRoosevelt CountySan Juan CountySan Miguel CountySandoval CountySanta Fe CountySierra CountySocorro CountyTaos CountyTorrance CountyUnion CountyValencia County