New Mexico State Resource Center

The Attorney General (AG) serves as head of the Department of Justice. The AG functions as the state's chief legal officer; legal counsel to state government; consumer advocate; and guardian of the public interest.

The Governor is the state’s chief executive, but he shares the responsibility for administering New Mexico’s state government with other officials. In addition to administrative duties, the Governor must represent the state both nationally and internationally, appoint members of boards and commissions, and approve statutes enacted by the Legislature. The governor serves for a term of four years and may serve for any number of terms but not more than two terms in a row.

The Lt. Governor serves as the President of the New Mexico Senate, ombudsman, acting governor in cases when the governor is out of the state, and as a member of the following boards and commissions: the Border Authority, the Community Development Council, the Workforce Development Board and the Board of Finance.

New Mexico is located in the southwestern region of the United States. New Mexico's population is a diverse blend of predominately Hispanic, Anglo, and Native American populations and cultures. Taken as a whole, Native Americans occupy four major reservations and nineteen Pueblo communities throughout the state, while close to thirty percent of the state's total population resides in its largest city, Albuquerque, and its capital city, Santa Fe.

the Secretary of State is second in line of succession behind the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor. The Secretary of State is the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of New Mexico and is responsible for administering an agency with a number of ongoing functions. The most visible of these is the role as the state's chief election officer. The Secretary of State also maintains records vital to commerce and industry in New Mexico and serves as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and is Board Member of State Records and Archives.

The State Treasurer provides banking assistance and services to state agencies; reconciles the state's bank accounts; acts as paying agent on the state's outstanding debt/bond issues; manages and invests the state's operating cash; manages and invests the state's bond proceeds until needed for project costs; manages and invests the New MexiGROW Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) on behalf of New Mexico's local governing entities; and enforces the state's collateral policy on financial institutions holding state money.

The Legislature is composed of a 70-member House of Representatives and a 42-member Senate. The members are unpaid for their legislative work, but do receive a daily living allowance for each day of official legislative work. Legislators are elected from districts of approximately equal population. Several counties with small populations may be combined to form a single district.

Forms if you represent yourself - Administrative Appeals.

Forms if you represent yourself - Civil Appeals.

Forms if you represent yourself - Criminal Appeals.

Forms if you represent yourself - Domestic Relations Appeals.

Domestic Violence Protective Orders.

NM State Judiciary Self Representation Website - Family Law. Provides links to forms for an uncontested divorce.

General Court Forms Specific to McKinley Co. Provides links to General Forms that will work only in McKinley County.

General Court Forms Specific to San Juan Co. Provides links to General Forms that will work only in San Juan County.

Local Rules.

Provide links to forms available to assist in the legal process at the First Judicial District Court from the following areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Settlement Facilitator; Child Support Hearings; Civil Law; Domestic Violence; Family Law; Foreclosure Mediation; and Miscellaneous Forms.

Local Rules.

Local Rules.

Local Rules

These forms are based on forms created by the New Mexico Supreme Court. These forms are general in nature and may or may not be sufficient or appropriate for your specific needs. Also, the Supreme Court regularly updates and revises its forms, as the law is constantly changing. Therefore, the Metropolitan Court does not warrant or represent that these forms are either accurate or up-to-date nor does the Court assume any legal liability or responsibility for your use of these forms.

Supreme Court Approved Forms. Provides links to the following forms. District Court Forms: Civil, Criminal, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence; Magistrate Court Forms: Civil, Criminal; Metropolitan Court Forms: Civil, Criminal; Municipal Court Forms; and Probate Court Forms.

Forms & Procedures for creditors.

Local Rules.

The New Mexico court system includes: the New Mexico Supreme Court; the Court of Appeals; the District Courts; the Magistrate Courts; Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court; the Municipal Courts; and the Probate Courts.

The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, established by legislation in 1927, is a service and research division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM Tech). It acts as the geological survey for the State of New Mexico.

The Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) partners with communities to strengthen families in New Mexico to be productive and self-sufficient. CYFD serves and supports children and families and supervise youth in a responsive, community-based system of care that is client-centered, family-focused and culturally competent.

The New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) provide a balanced system approach to corrections from incarceration to community- based supervision with training, education, programs and services that provide opportunities for offenders to transition to communities.

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) ensures a safe and secure food supply and a uniform and fair marketplace; protects natural resources and the environment; promotes marketing and trade domestically and internationally; AND works cooperatively with Congress, state legislature, federal, state, local, and tribal entities, private industry, and the public. NMDA is organized into six divisions: Agricultural and Environmental Services, Agricultural Programs and Resources, Dairy, Marketing and Development, Standards and Consumer Services, and Veterinary Diagnostic Services.

The mission of the Department of Education is to provide leadership, technical assistance and quality assurance to improve student performance and close the achievement gap.

State of New Mexico Department of Game and Fish: Providing New Mexico and its wildlife Year-round Excellent Services.

The New Mexico Department of Health includes seven program divisions: Health Improvement; Developmental Disabilities Supports; Public Health; Scientific Laboratory; Facilities; Epidemiology and Response; and Policy and Performance.

The New Mexico Higher Education Department develops and coordinates relevant policies, programs and services that provide advocacy and support equitable access to enable all New Mexicans to succeed in reaching their full potential through education. The Department convenes task forces and committees to address issues that will help more students seek and obtain the degrees they desire.

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) leads the State’s response to emergencies and disasters while providing for the safety and welfare of its citizens. DHSEM's mission is to protect the people of New Mexico and the nation through a comprehensive, consolidated, and coordinated program of mitigating hazards, preparing for emergencies, preventing attacks, and responding and recovering from events that occur without regard to cause.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) was created and evolved over the years through statutory changes combining related functions of the State Police, the Special Investigations Division, the Law Enforcement Academy, the Motor Transportation Division, the Crime Laboratory, Emergency Management Operations, Communications, Records, and Information Technology. This consolidation of functions has dramatically increased the scope of Departmental responsibilities.

The mission of the New Mexico Tourism Department is to market New Mexico as an enchanting visitor destination to the world by encouraging New Mexicans to spend their vacation time in New Mexico; attracting domestic and international visitors to New Mexico; and encouraging all visitors to extend their stays in New Mexico.

New Mexico Magazine is published monthly and features topics from around the Land of Enchantment, including New Mexico's multicultural heritage, arts, climate, environment and diverse people. Functioning as an enterprise fund in state government, the magazine is self-sufficient with virtually no funding from the taxpayer other than office space.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) oversees transportation in the state of New Mexico. The agency has four main focuses - transit, rail, aviation and highways. NMDOT is divided into six districts which serve various areas of the state.

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions is a market-driven workforce delivery system that prepares New Mexico job seekers to meet current and emerging needs of New Mexico businesses; insures that every New Mexico citizen who needs a job will have one; and insures every business who needs an employee will find one with the necessary skills and work readiness to allow New Mexico businesses to compete in a global economy.

The Department's Mission is to promote the independence and dignity of adults and persons living with disabilities, and their families, by offering services that support autonomy, health, safety, economic well-being, cultural diversity, community involvement, and personal responsibility, thereby enabling them to live on their own terms in their own communities.

The New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) includes the following boards and commissions: Border Authority Board; Economic Development Commission; Economic Development Corporation; Film and Media Council; Industrial Training Board; New Mexico/Chihuahua Border Commission; New Mexico Spaceport Authority; and Small Business Regulatory Advisory Commission.

The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) was created in 1987 through a merger between the Natural Resources Department and the Energy and Minerals Department. Present-day EMNRD consists of seven divisions: Energy Conservation and Management; Forestry; Mining and Minerals; Oil Conservation; State Parks; Waste Isolation Pilot Project; and Youth Conservation Corps.

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is committed to protecting New Mexico’s environment and the health of its citizens. NMED's efforts to achieve its mission include a comprehensive, integrated program of outreach, permitting, inspection and enforcement.

The mission of the General Services Department is to provide Essential Resources and Innovative Business Solutions for State Agencies; Conserve and Manage the Assets of State Government through Prudent Stewardship; and Foster Responsive and Courteous Customer Service.

The mission of the State Purchasing Division is to strive for "best value" in State acquisitions through application of timely, data-driven business and marketplace intelligence, as well as the application of "best procurement practices". Administer the state procurement code and provide training to all involved persons to ensure a fair and open procurement process which maximizes the benefit and use of limited taxpayer resources.

The Human Services Department (HSD) serves over 600,000 New Mexicans each month by administering several large state and federally funded programs. HSD's larger programs are: Medicaid; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Food Stamps; and Child Support Enforcement Services. HSD's mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on people living in New Mexico and to assure low income and disabled individuals in New Mexico equal participation in the life of their communities.

The Children, Youth and Families Department Office of Child Development (OCD) works collaboratively with the State Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Labor and higher education and community programs to establish a five-year plan for Early Care, Education and Family Support Professional Development. OCD's mission is that all New Mexico children, from birth through age eight, and their families have access to a quality, age, and individually appropriate child development system.

The New Mexico Register is the official publication for all notices of rulemaking and filings of adopted, proposed and emergency rules in New Mexico.

The Regulation and Licensing Department oversees five different industries in New Mexico, as well as numerous specialized professions and trades. The Department’s responsibilities include: Alcohol and Gaming; Boards and Commissions; Construction Industries; Financial Institutions; Manufactured Housing; Securities; and Public Comment and Complaints.

New Mexico’s children own 13 million acres statewide, and the State Land Office is charged with managing these lands so the children can attend schools of excellence. More than 150 years ago Congress gave these lands “in trust” to support education. Today, revenues earned from energy production, agriculture and economic development on trust lands pay teachers, build buildings, and buy books.

The New Mexico State Library, established in 1929, is committed to providing leadership that promotes effective library services and access to information to all citizens of New Mexico. The State Library provides services that support public libraries as well as delivers direct library services to rural populations, state agencies, the visually impaired and physically disabled, and students and citizens conducting research.

New Mexico State Parks is a division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. 70 percent of New Mexicans live within 40 miles of a State Park. New Mexico has 35 diverse State Parks to explore, including cool lakes, mountain forests, canyons, desert beauty, and fascinating historical sites. New Mexico State Parks offer family-friendly settings, endless recreational opportunities and hundreds of special events and educational programs each year.

The mission of the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) is to administer and enforce New Mexico’s tax and revenue laws, and vehicle and driver licensing code in a manner warranting the highest degree of public confidence.

The New Mexico Board of Nursing is a state agency, whose purpose is to protect the citizens of the state of New Mexico by licensing Nurses and certifying Hemodialysis Technicians and Medication Aides; regulating education programs for licensees and certificate holders; regulating practice; taking complaints and disciplining licensees and certificate holders who violate the law and rules.

The New Mexico Real Estate Commission is charged with enforcing the Real Estate License Law and the Real Estate Commission Rules. The Commission’s primary services and products are: the issuance, renewal, and transfer of real estate broker’s licenses; the establishment and enforcement of real estate broker prelicensing and continuing education requirements; the certification of providers of real estate broker education; information to consumers and real estate brokers about the Real Estate License law and the Commission Rules; and investigation and adjudication of consumer and real estate broker complaints about potential and actual violations of the Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules.

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) regulates the utilities, telecommunications, motor carriers and insurance industries to ensure fair and reasonable rates, and to assure reasonable and adequate services to the public as provided by law. The PRC also has responsibility for the State Fire Marshal's Office, the Firefighter Training Academy, Pipeline Safety and the registration of all corporations doing business in New Mexico.

The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS) was established in 2003 to provide veterans with a cabinet-level agency to address their needs. The mission of NMDVS is to assist veterans, their widows, and their children in establishing the privileges which they are legally entitled.