Chaves County

Chaves County is located in southeastern New Mexico, including approximately 6,071 square miles of diverse terrain ranging from the Pecos River valley to high desert plains. Chaves County Seat is Roswell, New Mexico's fifth-largest city, famous worldwide for the alleged 1947 UFO incident that continues to draw tourists from around the globe. As of recent census estimates, Chaves County has a population of approximately 65,000 residents.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Chaves County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Chaves County. The office oversees Chaves County Detention Center, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records.

Police Departments

In addition to Chaves County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Chaves County includes the Roswell Police Department, which serves the city of Roswell. The Dexter Police Department and the Hagerman Police Department also operate within their respective municipalities. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, often working together on investigations and sharing resources to ensure public safety across Chaves County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Chaves County Sheriff's Office, located at 401 W. 2nd Street in Roswell, New Mexico 88201, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Chaves County. Chaves County Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.

• Within Chaves County, the Roswell Police Department serves the city of Roswell and can be reached, while the Dexter Marshal's Office provides law enforcement for the village of Dexter.
• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written public records request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific police department that made the arrest.
• Booking photos and mugshots are generally considered public records and can be requested through the same process, though some restrictions apply for juvenile arrests.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documentation.
• The New Mexico Corrections Department Offender Search does not include county jail inmates, so requests must be directed specifically to Chaves County facilities for current detainees.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Chaves County cover felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses, as well as a sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, which provides full criminal history information. The New Mexico State Police offers additional resources for background checks, particularly for employment and licensing purposes.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Chaves County are maintained by Chaves 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 contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the procedures outlined under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. Arrest records typically contain the date and location of the arrest, the arresting officer's name, and any charges filed against the individual.

Jail & Inmate Records

Chaves County Detention Center is the primary jail facility in Chaves County, where individuals arrested in Chaves County are booked and held. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup is available through the detention center's online portal, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict guidelines.

• The bond and bail process follows New Mexico state law, allowing detainees to post bail as determined by the court to secure their release pending trial.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Chaves County are taken and retained by Chaves County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by direct request. New Mexico does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances, such as expungement of charges.

Chaves County is served by the Fifth Judicial District Court of New Mexico, which handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $10,000, domestic relations, probate matters, and appeals from lower courts. The Fifth Judicial District Court for Chaves County is located at 400 N. Main Street (County Courthouse), Roswell, NM 88201, and can be contacted through the office’s website. The court maintains jurisdiction over both Chaves and Eddy counties.

• Case information and dockets can be searched through the New Mexico Courts website at nmcourts.gov using the case lookup function, which provides access to civil, criminal, and domestic relations case information.
• Main Street in Roswell (575-624-6614), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $10,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
• Copies of court documents typically cost $1.00 per page for standard documents, with certified copies available for an additional fee.
• Online access through the state portal is free for searching, but obtaining official copies requires payment and often in-person or mail requests to the court clerk.

Chaves County County Clerk's Office, located at 401 N. Main Street, Roswell, NM 88201, is the official repository for land and property records in Chaves County. The office can be reached at and maintains recorded documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, releases, liens (mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, rights-of-way, oil and gas leases, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, and plat maps. The Recorder's office provides public access to these documents under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act.

• Certified copies of recorded documents are available for statutory fees, typically $1.00 per page plus certification fees.
• Chaves County Treasurer's Office handles property tax collection and provides information on current and delinquent taxes, tax payment history, and tax sale properties.
• Requests for certified copies of deeds or other recorded instruments should be directed to the County Clerk's office with specific document information and appropriate fees.

Vital records for Chaves County, New Mexico, are maintained by both county and state agencies depending on the document type and date. Chaves County Clerk's Office at 401 N. Main Street, Roswell, NM 88201 (575-624-6614) issues marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Chaves County and maintains marriage records. Marriage license applications require both parties to appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and Social Security numbers; the fee is typically $25, and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement in New Mexico.

• Death certificates are available to immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons with a direct and tangible interest; fees are identical to birth certificate fees.
• Processing time for mail requests is typically 6-10 weeks, though expedited service is available for additional fees.
• The New Mexico Vital Records office also offers online ordering through VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor, at vitalrecordsonline.com, with additional convenience fees.
• New Mexico vital records law is codified at NMSA 1978, Section 24-14-1 et seq, which establishes confidentiality provisions and eligible requester requirements.
• For Chaves County divorces, requests should be directed to the Fifth Judicial District Court Clerk at Chaves County Courthouse.

Business and licensing records in Chaves County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity and registration. Chaves County Clerk's Office at 401 N. Main Street, Roswell (575-624-6614) accepts and maintains Doing Business As (DBA) filings, also known as Trade Name registrations, for people and entities operating under an assumed business name within Chaves County. DBA filings are public records and can be searched by visiting the Clerk's office during regular business hours.

• New Mexico businesses must also register with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for gross receipts tax purposes and obtain a Combined Reporting System (CRS) identification number.
• 2nd Street, provides networking and business support services and maintains a membership directory at roswell-usa.com.

Elections in Chaves County are administered by Chaves County Clerk's Office, which is the official County Clerk and Election Administrator. The office is located at 401 N. Main Street, Roswell, NM 88201, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Chaves County Clerk's election division manages voter registration, maintains voter rolls, coordinates polling locations, processes absentee and early voting ballots, and certifies election results for all federal, state, county, and municipal elections conducted within Chaves County.

• The registration deadline is 28 days before any election, meaning voters must be registered by that date to be eligible to vote in the upcoming election.
• New Mexico offers same-day voter registration during the early voting period, allowing qualified residents to register and vote simultaneously at early voting locations.
• In the November 2024 general election, Chaves County experienced voter turnout of approximately 55-60% of registered voters, consistent with typical New Mexico turnout in presidential election years.

Chaves County's economy is diversified across agriculture, energy, aerospace, defense, and tourism sectors. Agriculture remains a key part of the local economy, with Chaves County ranking among the top dairy-producing counties in the United States. Large-scale dairy operations, cattle ranching, and alfalfa production dominate the agricultural scene, supported by irrigation from the Pecos River and groundwater resources. The energy sector, particularly oil and natural gas extraction from the Permian Basin, contributes significantly to Chaves County's tax base and employment.

• Median household income in Chaves County is approximately $45,000-$50,000, below the national average but consistent with rural New Mexico counties.
• Recent economic development initiatives have focused on diversifying beyond traditional industries, including efforts to attract renewable energy projects, technology companies, and value-added agricultural processing.
• The Eastern New Mexico Trade Center provides workforce training and economic development services.

Court Records: Yes: Online Search Available | Property: Yes: Assessor Online, Recorder In-Person/Limited Online | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Required | Vital Records: Limited: State Office, Online Ordering via VitalChek | Business: Yes: State Online, County DBA In-Person | Elections: Yes: Voter Lookup Online | Overall Score: 7/10, Chaves County provides good access to court and election records online through state portals, with property records partially digitized and most other records requiring in-person or phone requests.

Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Chaves County, New Mexico.