About Chama
Chama, New Mexico is a community in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. This page consolidates verified public records resources for Chama, including law enforcement, court, vital, property, and government records.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Chama
Chama Police Department
Add Department Update Department Setup/Modify Extra Pages · Career · Jobs Training Email Contact Help · New Mexico Home Police Sheriffs Fire & Rescue Add Dept Revisions Menu · Sponsored Links · Chief of Police · 299 W 4th Chama, New Mexico 87520 (575)756-2319 County: Rio Arriba ·
Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff’s Office is committed to working in a problem-solving partnership with individuals, community groups and businesses to fight crime and improve quality of life.
https://www.rio-arriba.org/Departments/Departments-Divisions/Sheriff
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Chama
Location, Hours & Contacts - First Judicial District Court
The mission of the New Mexico Judiciary is to provide access to justice, resolve disputes justly and timely and maintain accurate records of legal proceedings that affect rights and legal status of the parties in order to independently protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the constitution of the New Mexico and the United States. Court Administrator/District Court Clerk/Designated IPRA Records Custodian Toggle Accordion
🔗 https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/location-hours-contacts/
🏠 Property & Public Records in Chama
Rio Arriba County Property Records | Owners, Deeds, Permits
Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, has the lone City of Española and the Village of Chama within its jurisdiction. In Rio Arriba County, NM, property records offer insights into real estate ownership, transactions, and legal complexities.
About Chama New — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Rio Arriba County Detention Center, located in Tierra Amarilla, is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of detainees. Family members and legal representatives can use the inmate lookup feature available through Rio Arriba County's official website to locate current detainees. Visitation rules require visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict guidelines.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Rio Arriba County are maintained by the county Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the office, in compliance with the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. The records typically contain the date of arrest, charges, and any court dates. This process ensures transparency while protecting sensitive information.
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Rio Arriba County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the New Mexico Department of Public Safety provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the New Mexico State Police, which includes information on arrests, convictions, and sex offender status. The system ensures that individuals and employers can access necessary information while adhering to privacy regulations.
Vital Records
Vital records for Chama, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are maintained by the New Mexico Department of Health's Vital Records Bureau (https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/vr/). Individuals can request copies of these records by submitting the appropriate forms and fees. The Rio Arriba County Clerk's Office (https://www.rio-arriba.org/county-clerk/) also keeps records of births, deaths, and marriages that occurred within Rio Arriba County, including the town of Chama.
Business & Licensing Records
Business records for Chama, New Mexico can be found through the New Mexico Secretary of State's website (https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/). This includes information on registered businesses, corporations, and limited liability companies operating within the village. The Rio Arriba County Assessor's Office (https://www.rio-arriba.org/county-assessor/) also maintains records related to commercial and residential properties in the area, including property tax assessments and ownership information.
Economy & Demographics
Economic and employment data for Chama, New Mexico can be found through the U.S. Census Bureau (https://www.census.gov/) and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (https://www.dws.state.nm.us/). These sources provide information on the town's major industries, employment rates, and economic trends. The Rio Arriba County Economic Development Corporation (https://www.rioarriba.org/) also tracks and reports on the economic activities and development within Chama and the surrounding region.
Elections & Voter Records
Election administration for Chama voters is managed by the Rio Arriba County Clerk's Office, which serves as both County Clerk and County Elections Administrator. The office is located at 149 State Road 162, Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575 (phone: 575-588-7724). The County Clerk's website (https://www.rio-arriba.org/county-clerk) provides election information, sample ballots, and polling place locations.
New Mexico residents can register to vote online through the New Mexico Secretary of State's Voter Portal at https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR, or by submitting a paper voter registration form to the Rio Arriba County Clerk's office. The registration deadline is 28 days before any election. Acceptable forms of ID for registration include a New Mexico driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The state offers same-day voter registration during early voting and on Election Day at voting locations. The village operates under a government structure with a mayor and four-member board of trustees. Village elections are held on the first Tuesday in March in odd-numbered years; Candidate filing information and local ballot measures can be obtained from the Chama Village Clerk at 575-756-2306. Residents vote at the Chama Community Center, 531 Terrace Avenue, for most county, state, and federal elections, though polling locations should be confirmed through the Rio Arriba County Clerk or by checking the New Mexico Voter Portal using the 'Where to Vote' lookup tool at https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.S. House seats (the village is in District 3), New Mexico state offices including Governor and other constitutional officers (all on four-year cycles elected in midterm years), all 70 seats in the New Mexico House of Representatives, and various Rio Arriba County offices including County Commission seats, County Sheriff, County Assessor, County Treasurer, and County Clerk. New Mexico offers early voting beginning 28 days before Election Day at the Rio Arriba County Clerk's office in Tierra Amarilla and designated early voting sites; dates are typically announced 60 days before each election. Absentee voting by mail is available to any registered voter without requiring an excuse; applications can be submitted through the Voter Portal or by contacting the Rio Arriba County Clerk. Ballot tracking is available online. Under New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act, voter registration lists are public records available for inspection (though use is restricted to election related purposes), campaign finance reports are accessible through the New Mexico Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Information System at https://www.cfis.state.nm.us, candidate filing information is public, and precinct-level election results are published by the Rio Arriba County Clerk and Secretary of State following certification.
Public Records Resources for Chama, New Mexico
Official government websites for Chama, New Mexico and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, or .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- New Mexico Business & Corporation SearchBusiness entity search of active and inactive corporations, or LLC by name from the New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State.
- New Mexico Driver History RecordsRequest 3 year certified and non certified driving history records.
- New Mexico Accident ReportsPublic requests for accident reports from the New Mexico department of public safety
- New Mexico Federal CasesSearch the New Mexico Court system to find information and public records on federal case filings.
- New Mexico License SearchLicense verification for professionals and facilities providers license status with the state of Connecticut.
- New Mexico LicensingFind info on alcohol and gaming licenses, private investigation regulations, financial institutions licensing status and more.
- New Mexico Records ClerksRequest a copy of recorded documents from individual county clerks.
- New Mexico Missing PersonsDepartment of Safety resources to search for missing people by name or location.
- New Mexico Current PrisonersSearch for offenders arrested, convicted and serving in New Mexico Corrections.
- New Mexico State Archives SearchOnline catalog of state archives historical documents.
- New Mexico Unclaimed PropertySearch property and claim status from the office of the state treasurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Chama, New Mexico?
To register to vote in Chama, New Mexico, residents can register online through the New Mexico Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Rio Arriba County elections office. New Mexico requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the New Mexico Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Chama, contact the Rio Arriba County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Chama, New Mexico?
Property records for Chama, New Mexico are maintained by the Rio Arriba County Assessor's Office and the Rio Arriba County Clerk. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Rio Arriba County, including parcels in Chama. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Rio Arriba County Clerk maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many New Mexico counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Rio Arriba County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Chama, New Mexico?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Chama, New Mexico residents are available through both county and state offices. The New Mexico Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records, located in Santa Fe, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in New Mexico. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Rio Arriba County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Rio Arriba County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.