About De Baca County
De Baca County is a sparsely populated county located in east-central New Mexico, established in 1917 and named after Ezequiel Cabeza de Baca, the second governor of New Mexico. De Baca County Seat is Fort Sumner, a historic town known for its connection to Billy the Kid, who is buried at the Fort Sumner Cemetery. De Baca County includes approximately 2,325 square miles of high plains terrain, characterized by vast grasslands, scattered ranches, and agricultural lands. The population is approximately 1,800 residents, making it one of the least populous counties in New Mexico.
De Baca County is home to Sumner Lake State Park, a popular recreation area offering fishing, boating, and camping. The Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site commemorates the tragic internment of Navajo and Mescalero Apache peoples during the 1860s. De Baca County's economy is primarily driven by agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and farming.
De Baca County Clerk's office is located at 514 Avenue C in Fort Sumner, serving as the central hub for vital records, elections, and county administration. De Baca County Assessor, responsible for property valuations and tax assessments, maintains offices at De Baca County courthouse complex. De Baca County Clerk handles all land records, deeds, mortgages, and property transactions.
De Baca County's remote, rural character and rich Old West history make it a unique destination If you want frontier heritage and wide-open spaces.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
De Baca County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout De Baca County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees De Baca County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives meant to building strong relationships between law enforcement and residents.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in De Baca County is primarily managed by De Baca County Sheriff's Office, which handles rural and unincorporated areas. The Fort Sumner Police Department serves the village of Fort Sumner, providing policing services within its jurisdiction. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, making sure of full coverage across De Baca County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
De Baca County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the unincorporated areas of De Baca County, with headquarters located in Fort Sumner. De Baca County Detention Center houses inmates arrested within De Baca County, and booking information may be obtained by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly at their main office.
- The Fort Sumner Police Department provides municipal law enforcement services within the town limits of Fort Sumner, De Baca County's only incorporated county.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in New Mexico and may be obtained through formal public records requests to the arresting agency.
- Response times for records requests vary depending on the volume and complexity of the request, but agencies are required to respond within a reasonable timeframe.
- De Baca County does not maintain a centralized online mugshot database, so requesters must contact law enforcement agencies directly.
Inmate lookup and jail roster information is typically available by calling the Sheriff's Office during business hours, though online inmate search capabilities may be limited due to De Baca County's small size. Arrest records in De Baca County are public records subject to disclosure under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA 1978, Sections 14-2-1 through 14-2-12), which grants citizens the right to inspect and copy public records with limited exceptions. No tribal law enforcement agencies operate within De Baca County, as there are no tribal lands within county boundaries.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in De Baca County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. Residents can conduct background checks through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The New Mexico State Police also offers services for more full background checks, assisting residents and employers in verifying criminal histories.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in De Baca County are maintained by De Baca County Sheriff's Office. These records document the circumstances and details of arrests made within De Baca County. Residents and attorneys can request access to arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Information typically included in an arrest record consists of the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details. The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act governs the accessibility of such records, for public access while protecting sensitive information.
Jail & Inmate Records
De Baca County Detention Center, located in Fort Sumner, is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested within De Baca County. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and documenting personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require prior scheduling and adherence to security protocols.
- The bond and bail process in New Mexico allows for the release of detainees pending trial, with specific conditions set by the court.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in De Baca County are taken and retained by De Baca 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 or online databases. While New Mexico does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, individuals seeking to remove or restrict access to their mugshots may need to pursue legal avenues. Mugshots are often included in arrest records and may be available through third-party websites, although official requests should be directed to the Sheriff's Office.
Courts & Case Records
De Baca County is served by the Fifth Judicial District Court of New Mexico, which has jurisdiction over civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate matters. De Baca County District Court is located at 514 Avenue C, Fort Sumner, NM 88119, within De Baca County courthouse complex. Court records are maintained by the District Court Clerk's office, which can be contacted for case information and document retrieval.
- De Baca County Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $10,000, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
- Fees for obtaining certified copies of court documents typically range from $1 to $2 per page, with additional certification fees.
New Mexico courts maintain an online case lookup system through the New Mexico Judiciary website at nmcourts.gov, where users can search for case information across multiple district courts, though access to certain documents may require in-person requests. The Fifth Judicial District includes De Baca, Chaves, Eddy, and Lea counties. The Magistrate Court is also located in Fort Sumner and operates under simplified procedures for minor matters.
Court record access in New Mexico is governed by Rule 1-079 NMRA (New Mexico Rules of Annotated), which establishes that court records are generally public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute. De Baca County Court Clerk's office maintains an archive of historical case files, land records, and probate proceedings dating back to De Baca County's founding. Visitors to the courthouse can access public court records during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Online access to full case documents may be limited, requiring in-person visits for full research.
Property & Public Records
De Baca County Clerk's office is the official recorder of documents and maintains all land records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, mechanic's liens, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, and plat maps. Located at 514 Avenue C, Fort Sumner, NM 88119, the Clerk's office is open during regular business hours for public access to recorded documents. Property records in De Baca County date back to De Baca County's establishment in 1917, with some earlier records from predecessor jurisdictions.
- De Baca County Clerk charges statutory recording fees based on the number of pages and type of document being filed.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person or by mail, with fees ranging from approximately $1.50 per page plus certification charges.
While full online searching may be limited, some New Mexico counties participate in statewide initiatives to digitize land records. For property tax information, assessment values, and tax payment records, De Baca County Assessor's office maintains detailed parcel information and can be contacted at De Baca County courthouse. The Assessor's office conducts regular property revaluations to establish fair market values for tax purposes.
Property tax bills and payment status can be obtained through the County Treasurer's office, which is responsible for tax collection. De Baca County may offer a basic online GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewer, though capabilities vary and full title searches typically require in-person examination of records at the Clerk's office. All recorded documents are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description to help with public searches.
Title companies, attorneys, and researchers regularly use these records for real estate transactions and legal due diligence.
Vital Records
Vital records for De Baca County, New Mexico, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by both the County Clerk's office and the New Mexico Department of Health Vital Records Bureau. Birth certificates for events occurring in De Baca County can be requested from De Baca County Clerk at 514 Avenue C, Fort Sumner, NM 88119, or from the New Mexico Vital Records office in Santa Fe. The current fee for a certified birth certificate is approximately $15 to $20, with processing times varying from immediate issuance for in-person requests to several weeks for mail requests.
- Death certificates are similarly available through both the County Clerk and the state Vital Records office, with the same fee structure.
- Marriage licenses are issued by De Baca County Clerk's office, with couples required to apply in person and pay the applicable license fee.
- The New Mexico Department of Health offers online ordering of vital records through VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor, though additional service fees apply for expedited processing and credit card transactions.
- Requesters should be prepared to provide complete identifying information, including full names, dates, and locations of the vital events.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in De Baca County involves multiple levels of government oversight. De Baca County Clerk's office, located at 514 Avenue C in Fort Sumner, handles local business registrations, including Doing Business As (DBA) certificates and fictitious business name filings. These records are public and can be inspected during regular business hours at the Clerk's office.
- The Fort Sumner-De Baca County Chamber of Commerce promotes local economic development and provides resources for businesses operating in De Baca County, though online presence may be limited.
For formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships, the New Mexico Secretary of State maintains the official registry through the Corporations Bureau. The Secretary of State's website at sos.state.nm.us provides a searchable online database where anyyou can look up registered business entities, view formation documents, and check the status of businesses operating in New Mexico. Professional and occupational licenses are regulated by various state boards and agencies depending on the profession.
The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department issues Combined Reporting System (CRS) numbers for businesses collecting gross receipts tax. Local business licenses for operating within Fort Sumner may be required and can be obtained through the town clerk's office. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by De Baca County Planning and Zoning Department, though De Baca County's small population means regulatory requirements may be less extensive than in urban areas.
Contractors and home-based businesses should verify all licensing requirements with both county and state authorities before commencing operations.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in De Baca County are administered by De Baca County Clerk, who is the County Election Administrator. De Baca County Clerk's office is located at 514 Avenue C, Fort Sumner, NM 88119, and manages all aspects of voter registration, election administration, and ballot processing. Voter registration in New Mexico can be completed online through the New Mexico Secretary of State's website at nmvote.org, by mail using a paper registration form, or in person at the County Clerk's office. The voter registration deadline is 28 days before any election in New Mexico.
- New Mexico offers convenient absentee voting options, with any registered voter eligible to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
Residents of De Baca County can find their assigned polling locations by contacting the County Clerk's office or using the online voter portal at the Secretary of State's website, which provides personalized voter information including polling place locations and sample ballots. Public election records in De Baca County include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), candidate filing documents, campaign finance reports for local candidates, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot reports. These records are subject to disclosure under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act.
De Baca County, like most rural New Mexico counties, typically experiences voter turnout rates between 55% and 75% in presidential election years, with lower participation in midterm and local elections. In the 2024 general election, turnout was consistent with historical patterns for De Baca County. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring midterm elections for the U.S.
House of Representatives, potentially a U.S. Senate seat, and various New Mexico state offices including statewide executive positions and state legislative seats. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted through the County Clerk's office, and New Mexico law allows early in-person voting beginning 28 days before Election Day at designated early voting locations.
De Baca County Clerk maintains detailed precinct maps and election result archives. Election transparency in De Baca County is handled through public observation rights during vote counting, published election results by precinct, and the availability of election related records for public inspection upon request.
Economy & Demographics
De Baca County's economy is predominantly agricultural, with cattle ranching and farming serving as the backbone of economic activity. De Baca County's vast grasslands support extensive livestock operations, with beef cattle production being the primary agricultural enterprise. Crop production includes alfalfa, sorghum, and wheat, often used to support local livestock operations. The median household income in De Baca County is significantly below the state and national averages, reflecting the rural, agricultural nature of the economy and limited employment diversity.
- Sumner Lake State Park provides seasonal employment and draws recreational visitors for fishing, camping, and water sports.
Major employers in De Baca County include De Baca County government, Fort Sumner Municipal Schools, and several large ranching operations. The Fort Sumner area also benefits from tourism related to Billy the Kid historical sites, including the Fort Sumner Historic Site and Billy the Kid Museum, which attract history enthusiasts and Old West aficionados. De Baca County lacks major manufacturing facilities or corporate headquarters, with most businesses being small, family-owned operations.
Retail and service businesses in Fort Sumner cater primarily to local residents and ranching operations. Economic challenges include population decline, aging demographics, limited broadband infrastructure, and distance from major markets. Recent economic development efforts have focused on maintaining agricultural viability, improving infrastructure, and promoting heritage tourism.
Oil and gas extraction has historically played a minor role in De Baca County's economy, with some production occurring in eastern portions of De Baca County. Unemployment rates fluctuate seasonally with agricultural cycles and generally track higher than state averages due to limited economic diversification.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online | Property: Limited: In-Person Preferred | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or State Website | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Limited: Contact Clerk | Overall Score: 5/10, De Baca County's small size limits digital infrastructure; most records require direct contact with county offices, though state-level resources provide some online access.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in De Baca County
Explore public records for 3 cities and communities in De Baca County, New Mexico.