Recording Information
*We take CASH, CHECK, MONEY ORDER, or CREDIT CARD (with a 2.65% processing fee).
Recording Information.
Real Estate Documents
In order to be accepted for recording in Santa Fe County, a document must relate to property in Santa Fe County, have original signature, and have the notary's original signature. Real Estate documents include deeds, liens, etc. Please see our Recording and Filing Fee Schedule for UCC recording fees.
There are several ways to record in the office:
- In-person paper recording (appointments recommended) - documents must be complete and can be notarized by staff with proper identification. We cannot provide legal advice on correct formatting or content. Please seek advice from an attorney if you have questions. Please allow at least 30 minutes per 4 documents needed to be recorded.
- Drop-off recording - if you have a payment account with the Clerk’s office, you can drop off recordings for processing without an appointment, and then pick up or arrange the mailing back of originals. Please ensure you have completed the drop-off form and email us those who are authorized to charge to your account.
- Online e-recording - we have partnered with several services to allow e-recording into our office. Please contact Simplifile or CSC. Please be aware they charge a convenience fee in addition to the standard recording fees.
Recording fees are due at the time of recording. Payment is accepted in either cash, check or credit card (with processing fees) form. For a complete list of our Recording and Filing Fee Schedule
Plats
We require that a mylar and two legible black line copies be submitted for plat recordings. The plat may need to be notarized, unless the property is a condo, the plat has either a county/city public notice, or legible approval signatures from the county/city land use administrator. By administrative code, Surveyor's stamps must also be legible. Please be advised, per NMSA 7-38-44.1 (2013), prior to recording a plat that divides or combines property, the taxpayer is responsible for paying all taxes, penalties, interest and fees due for that taxable year. All taxes and fees are paid at the County Treasurer's Office.
Home Owners' Associations
Per statute all HOAs must record a “notice of homeowner association” within 30 days after the date on which the HOA’s declaration were filed with the Public Regulation Commission. HOA that fail to record the notice forfeit authority to charge an assessment, levy a fine for late payment, or a lien for nonpayment until the Notice is recorded. The definition section of the HOA Act provides a definition for the term “declaration,” and another section provides that recording of a “declaration” constitutes notice in the office of county clerk in which any part of the property is located that would satisfy the perfection of a lien. The Clerk's Office does not record minutes from HOA meetings; the HOAs themselves are responsible for providing the public their minutes.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filings
The Santa Fe County Clerk’s office records only UCCs that pertain to real estate; all other UCCs need to be filed at the Secretary of State's Office. UCC filings do not need to be notarized. Please see our Recording and Filing Fee Schedule for UCC recording fees.
*Disclaimer
Recorded documents are subject to public inspection and there are statutory fees for copies (see schedule). We are happy to do an uncertified search and produce records linked to names or addresses for an hourly fee. For a certified and insured search, you will need to contact a title company.
Recording FAQs
Click on questions to view answers
A. You will need to send or deliver the original signed document to us. It should include completed dates, signature(s) of grantor(s), notary certificate (should contain state, county, date of acknowledgment, notary signature, notary seal and notary commission expiration date).
We do not accept documents for recording without the proper notary block as mentioned above.Your document(s) presented for recording must have a notary block prepared on the document.Please remember that all documents vary. If the document pertains to real estate, you must include the legal property description on your document. If you are recording a Release or Assignment, you will need to state the original document book and page or instrument number that is being released or assigned.
A. Each type of deed has a different definition, which can be crucial when transferring property. We are not bonded to direct you as to what form to use. We suggest that you contact a real estate attorney.
A. At the time of recording your document, our office will furnish a copy of the recorded document to the Santa Fe County Assessor; however, please note that it is not the Clerk’s responsibility to ensure that the transfer has taken place. By law, the receiver of the property has the responsibility to notify the Santa Fe County Assessor of the property so that the proper party will receive the property tax assessments notices and tax bills.
A. Yes, we will accept a certified copy for recording if, before it is presented to our office for recording, it has a proper certification certificate with a raised seal.
A. Please see the Recording and Filing Fee Schedulefor a complete list of fees. The Schedule will include the cost of copies of documents.
A. You will need to send or deliver the original, signed, lien document to us. It should include completed dates, signature(s) of grantor(s), and notary certificate (should contain state, county, date of acknowledgment, notary signature, notary seal, and notary commission expiration date). Please remember that you must include the legal property description on your lien document.
We are not authorized nor bonded to assist you in writing up the lien document. However, we can direct you as to where to obtain the legal description of the real estate property you wish to file the lien on.
At no charge, we will notarize your signature on your lien document when you provide a proper ID.
A. Yes. However, the Santa Fe County Clerk's Office only records only UCCs pertaining to property in Santa Fe County. All other UCCs are handled by the Secretary of State's Office. UCCs do not need to be notarized.
A. Yes. Refer to our Recording and Filing Fee Schedule.
A. We require that a mylar and two legible black line copies be submitted for plat recordings. The plat may need to be notarized, unless the property is a condo, the plat has either a county/city public notice (see notices below), or approval signatures from the county/city land use administrator.
Santa Fe County Public Notice:
SANTA FE COUNTY LAND USE ADMINISTRATOR HAS NOT REVIEWED THIS PLAT OF BOUNDARY SURVEY, PRIOR TO ITS FILING IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. THIS PLAT IS NOT TO BE FILED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING LOT SPLITS, SUBDIVISIONS, OR NEW LOTS, ALTERING THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY EXISTING LOT(S) FOR THE PURPOSE OF “‘DEVELOPMENT” DEFINED IN THE SANTA FE COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, EXTRATERRITORIAL ZONING ORDINANCE FOR EXTRATERRITORIAL SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS. THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY STIPULATE OR REPRESENT SANTA FE COUNTY LAND USE APPROVAL OF THIS BOUNDARY SURVEY PLAT.
If property is in City:
City of Santa Fe Public Notice:
THIS SURVEY IS BASED ON THOSE RECORDED DOCUMENTS NOTED HEREON. CITY OF SANTA FE STAFF MUST APROVE ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED WITH AN APLICATION FOR A BUILDING PERMIT AND MAY REQUIRE SUBMITTAL OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE LEGAL LOT OF RECORD.
Refer to our Recording and Filing Fee Schedule.
Be advised that if the plat is a lot split, subdivision or new lot(s) created, you will need to contact the Santa Fe County Land Use Department (if county property) at (505) 986-6225 or City Permit and Development (if property within City limits) at (505) 995-6589.
A. Yes. We have several notaries available, and there is no charge for this service if you are recording a document. Otherwise, the fee is $5. Please be advised that our notaries do not provide notary blocks.