Curry County Court Records
What Is Curry County Court Records
Court records in Curry County, New Mexico, are official documents generated and maintained by the judicial system in connection with legal proceedings filed within the county's jurisdiction. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, sentencing records, and any other documentation produced during the course of litigation or adjudication.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, for example, are held by the Curry County Assessor and Clerk's offices, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the New Mexico Department of Health. Court records, by contrast, are custodied exclusively by the clerk of the court in which the proceeding was filed.
The following courts currently maintain court records for matters arising in Curry County:
- Ninth Judicial District Court – handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $10,000, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters
- Curry County Magistrate Court – handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $10,000, small claims, and traffic violations
- Clovis Municipal Court – handles municipal ordinance violations and petty misdemeanor traffic matters
Records maintained by these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters. Under New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 14-3-15.1, public records are broadly defined to include any document, paper, or electronic data created or received by a government body in the conduct of public business, which encompasses judicial records held by court clerks. The New Mexico Courts public records portal provides centralized guidance on accessing records across all court levels statewide.
Are Court Records Public In Curry County
Court records in Curry County are presumptively open to the public under New Mexico law. The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, codified at NMSA § 14-2-1 et seq., establishes that all public records are subject to inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This presumption of openness extends to judicial records maintained by the district court, magistrate court, and municipal court.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and court calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under state law or by order of the court. These include records sealed by judicial order, juvenile delinquency records, mental health commitment records, and documents containing sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers. Members of the public seeking access to records in federal court proceedings—such as those filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico—must use the federal PACER system, as federal courts operate under separate access rules governed by federal statute and the Judicial Conference of the United States.
The New Mexico Supreme Court has adopted administrative rules governing public access to electronic court records, and the Ninth Judicial District Court follows those rules in administering access to Curry County case files. The public records page for the Ninth Judicial District provides current guidance on inspection procedures for both Curry County and Roosevelt County.
How To Find Court Records in Curry County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Curry County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the court in which the case was filed and whether the requester seeks electronic or paper copies.
To request records from the Ninth Judicial District Court:
- Identify the case number, party name, or approximate filing date before submitting a request.
- Visit the court clerk's office in person during regular business hours or submit a written Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) request by mail or email.
- Specify the case number, type of record, date of proceeding, and preferred format (printed or electronic).
- Pay applicable fees upon fulfillment of the request. Current fees are $0.35 per printed or electronically delivered page and $4.00 per audio recording of a hearing, as detailed on the records requests page of the Ninth Judicial District Court.
To request records from the Curry County Magistrate Court:
- Contact the magistrate court clerk directly to confirm record availability.
- Submit a written request identifying the case by number or party name.
- Pay any applicable copying fees at the time of pickup or delivery.
To request records from the Clovis Municipal Court:
- Contact the Municipal Court clerk's office to determine whether the record is available for inspection.
- Submit a written IPRA request if the record is not immediately available at the counter.
All written IPRA requests must be responded to within fifteen business days under current New Mexico law.
How To Look Up Court Records in Curry County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Curry County court records without requiring an in-person visit to the courthouse.
NM Case Lookup (General Public Portal)
The NM Case Lookup tool is the primary free public portal for searching court records across all New Mexico state courts, including the Ninth Judicial District Court and Curry County Magistrate Court. To conduct a search:
- Navigate to the NM Case Lookup application.
- Enter a party name, case number, or attorney name in the designated search fields.
- Select the court or judicial district from the dropdown menu.
- Review the case summary, docket entries, and available documents returned in the results.
Public Access and re:Search®NM
The Public Access and re:Search®NM platform offers expanded search capabilities for registered users. The portal includes:
- Case Lookup for general public users (no registration required)
- Secured Odyssey Public Access (SOPA) for registered users with enhanced document access
- re:Search®NM for attorneys and registered legal professionals
Curry County District Court Docket
The Curry County District Court Docket provides a real-time listing of hearings scheduled for the current day and the following six calendar days. This resource is particularly useful for members of the public and legal professionals who need to confirm upcoming hearing dates and times.
How To Search Curry County Court Records for Free?
State law and court policy currently permit members of the public to inspect court records at no charge. Under NMSA § 14-2-9, a custodian of public records may not charge a fee for inspection of records; fees apply only when copies are requested. This means that individuals who wish to review case files in person at the courthouse may do so without incurring any cost.
The following resources are available at no charge:
- NM Case Lookup – free public access to case summaries and docket information for all New Mexico state courts, accessible through the NM Case Lookup portal
- Curry County District Court Docket – free access to scheduled hearing information for the Ninth Judicial District
- In-person inspection at the Ninth Judicial District Court clerk's office – no fee for viewing records at the public counter
Copying fees of $0.35 per page and $4.00 per audio recording apply when physical or electronic copies are requested, as outlined on the court's records requests page.
What's Included in a Curry County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
- Motions filed by either party and corresponding responses
- Court orders and rulings on motions
- Final judgment or decree
- Post-judgment filings such as writs of execution or garnishment
Criminal Case Records:
- Criminal complaint or indictment
- Arrest warrant and return
- Bail and bond documents
- Plea agreements
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (access may be restricted)
- Sentencing orders
- Probation or parole conditions
Family and Domestic Relations Records:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Child support orders and modification filings
- Domestic violence protective orders (some portions may be restricted)
- Adoption decrees (typically sealed)
Probate Records:
- Petition for probate of will
- Inventory of estate assets
- Orders appointing personal representative
- Final accounting and order of distribution
Traffic and Small Claims Records:
- Citation or complaint
- Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
- Payment records in small claims matters
How Long Does Curry County Keep Court Records?
The retention of court records in New Mexico is governed by schedules established by the New Mexico Commission of Public Records and the New Mexico Supreme Court. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.
Current general retention periods include:
- Felony criminal case files – retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files – retained for a minimum of seven years following case closure
- Civil case files involving judgments – retained for a minimum of ten years following entry of judgment
- Domestic relations case files – retained permanently when minor children are involved; otherwise retained for a minimum of ten years
- Probate case files – retained permanently
- Traffic case files (magistrate court) – retained for a minimum of three years
- Small claims case files – retained for a minimum of three years following case closure
- Docket sheets and indexes – retained permanently as finding aids
These schedules are established pursuant to the authority granted to the New Mexico Commission of Public Records under state statute and are subject to periodic revision. Courts are required to maintain records in a manner that ensures their accessibility and integrity throughout the applicable retention period.
Types of Courts In Curry County
Curry County is served by a hierarchy of state courts, each with defined subject-matter jurisdiction. The court hierarchy proceeds from municipal and magistrate courts at the base, through the district court, to the New Mexico Court of Appeals, and ultimately to the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Ninth Judicial District Court – Curry County 700 N. Main Street, Suite 10, Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 742-7777 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Ninth Judicial District Court
Curry County Magistrate Court 700 N. Main Street, Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 769-7830 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Curry County Magistrate Court
Clovis Municipal Court 321 N. Connelly Street, Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 769-7940 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clovis Municipal Court
New Mexico Court of Appeals 2211 Tucker NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 841-4600 New Mexico Court of Appeals
New Mexico Supreme Court 237 Don Gaspar Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 827-4860 New Mexico Supreme Court
What Types of Cases Do Curry County Courts Hear?
Each court within Curry County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by New Mexico statute and court rules.
Ninth Judicial District Court hears:
- Felony criminal cases (Class A through D felonies)
- Civil cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000
- Domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, and child support
- Juvenile delinquency and children's court matters
- Probate proceedings, including wills and estate administration
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Appeals from magistrate and municipal court decisions
Curry County Magistrate Court hears:
- Misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil cases in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000
- Small claims cases up to $10,000
- Traffic violations and DWI cases
- Preliminary hearings in felony matters prior to district court arraignment
Clovis Municipal Court hears:
- Violations of Clovis municipal ordinances
- Petty misdemeanor traffic offenses occurring within city limits
- Parking violations and code enforcement matters
How To Find a Court Docket In Curry County
A court docket is the official schedule of proceedings and the chronological record of all filings and actions taken in a case. Members of the public may access Curry County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Access:
- The Curry County District Court Docket lists hearings scheduled for the current day and the next six days at the Ninth Judicial District Court in Clovis.
- The NM Case Lookup tool displays docket entries for individual cases across all New Mexico state courts.
- Registered users may access expanded docket information through re:Search®NM, which provides document-level access to electronically filed case materials.
In-Person Access:
- Members of the public may inspect docket sheets at the clerk's office of the Ninth Judicial District Court during regular business hours.
- Magistrate court dockets may be reviewed at the Curry County Magistrate Court clerk's counter.
Search Steps Using NM Case Lookup:
- Access the NM Case Lookup application.
- Enter the party's name or case number in the search fields.
- Select "Ninth Judicial District" or "Curry County Magistrate" from the court selection menu.
- Review the docket entries displayed in chronological order for the selected case.
Which Courts in Curry County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially recorded and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and whose judgments carry a presumption of validity. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally do not create a permanent record of testimony.
Under New Mexico law, the Clovis Municipal Court is currently classified as a court not of record. Municipal courts in New Mexico operate pursuant to the Municipal Court Act, and their proceedings are not stenographically transcribed in the same manner as district court proceedings. As a result, appeals from municipal court decisions are heard de novo—meaning the case is tried anew—in the Ninth Judicial District Court, rather than on the basis of a record from below.
The New Mexico Magistrate Court occupies an intermediate position. Magistrate courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and, while they maintain case files and docket records, they are not courts of record in the constitutional sense applicable to district courts. Appeals from magistrate court decisions are similarly heard de novo in the district court.
The Ninth Judicial District Court is the court of general jurisdiction and is a court of record for all proceedings conducted before it. All testimony and proceedings in district court are recorded and may be transcribed upon request. The New Mexico Court of Appeals and the New Mexico Supreme Court are also courts of record and review district court decisions on the basis of the record created below.