About Roosevelt County
Roosevelt County is located in the eastern plains region of New Mexico, bordered by Curry County to the north, Lea County to the south, and the Texas state line to the east. Roosevelt County Seat is Portales, home to Eastern New Mexico University, one of Roosevelt County's major educational institutions. Roosevelt County was created in 1903 and named after President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt County includes approximately 2,449 square miles of high plains terrain characterized by flfor gently rolling prairie lands at an elevation averaging 4,000 feet.
As of recent census estimates, Roosevelt County has a population of approximately 19,000 residents. Roosevelt County's economy is primarily driven by agriculture, particularly peanut farming and dairy production, with Roosevelt County ranking among the top peanut-producing counties in the United States. Major landmarks include Oasis State Park, Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark and Museum (one of the oldest archaeological sites in North America), and the extensive agricultural operations that define the scene.
Roosevelt County Courthouse is located at 109 W 1st Street in Portales. Roosevelt County Clerk's office maintains official records and is situated in the courthouse complex. Roosevelt County Assessor's office, responsible for property valuations, operates from 109 W 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130.
Roosevelt County Clerk maintains land records and deed filings. Portales is the commercial and governmental hub, while the communities of Elida, Dora, Causey, and Floyd contribute to Roosevelt County's rural character.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Roosevelt County. This office handles patrol duties, manages Roosevelt County jail, and processes arrests. It also maintains criminal records and provides various community programs meant to enhancing public safety.
Police Departments
Roosevelt County is served by Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments, including the Portales Police Department. These agencies collaborate on major criminal investigations and emergency responses, making sure of full coverage and resource sharing across Roosevelt County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Roosevelt County, headquartered at 300 E 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130. Inmate information for Roosevelt County jail can be obtained by contacting the detention facility directly at during business hours, or by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person.
- The Portales Police Department provides municipal law enforcement services within the city limits of Portales and can be reached at 1700 E 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130
- Requests for arrest records can be submitted to Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office or the appropriate municipal police department.
- Booking photos and mugshots are generally considered public records in New Mexico and can be requested through the detaining agency.
- Processing times and fees may apply for copying and research.
The detention center houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates serving county-level sentences. Arrest records in Roosevelt County are public records subject to New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 to 14-2-12), which establishes the right of citizens to inspect public records with limited exceptions. The New Mexico Corrections Department also maintains an online offender search for state prison inmates, but county jail rosters must be obtained directly from Roosevelt County.
There are no tribal police jurisdictions within Roosevelt County boundaries, as Roosevelt County does not contain reservation lands.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Roosevelt County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Background checks can be conducted through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, which provides full criminal history reports. The New Mexico State Police offers additional resources for Roosevelt residents seeking detailed background information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Roosevelt County are maintained by Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office and the Portales Police Department. Residents and legal representatives can request these records by submitting a formal application to the respective law enforcement agency. An arrest record in Roosevelt County typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and court dates. The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act governs the accessibility of these records, for public access and public access to governmental documents.
Jail & Inmate Records
Roosevelt County Detention Center is the primary facility for incarcerating individuals arrested within Roosevelt County. The booking process at this facility involves fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through Roosevelt County's official website, allowing individuals to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict guidelines.
- The bond and bail process follows New Mexico state laws, allowing for the release of detainees upon posting bail set by the court.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Roosevelt County are taken and retained by Roosevelt County Detention Center as part of the booking process. These booking photos are accessible through the Sheriff's Office, which may provide them upon request or through an online portal. While New Mexico does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals can petition for removal or sealing under certain circumstances, such as expungement of the related criminal record.
Courts & Case Records
Roosevelt County is served by the Ninth Judicial District Court of New Mexico, which handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $10,000, domestic relations, probate, and appeals from lower courts. Roosevelt County Court is located at 1700 N Avenue F, Portales, NM 88130, and can be contacted through the office’s website. The Ninth Judicial District also serves Curry County. Court records can be searched through the New Mexico Judiciary's online case lookup system at nmcourts.gov, which provides access to civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate case information.
- Roosevelt County Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under $10,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations.
- Fees for copying court documents are typically $1.00 per page for standard copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies.
The Magistrate Court is located at 1700 N Avenue F, Portales, NM 88130 Portales Municipal Court handles municipal ordinance violations and traffic citations issued within city limits, located at City Hall, 200 E 7th Street, Portales, NM 88130. Roosevelt County Probate Court, operating from the courthouse at 109 W 1st Street, handles estate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships.
New Mexico court records are governed by the Court Rules providing for public access under Rule 1-079 NMRA, which presumes court records are open to the public unless sealed by court order. Online access through the state system is free for searching, though certified copies must be obtained from the clerk's office. Case files can be reviewed in person at the appropriate court clerk's office during regular business hours.
Property & Public Records
Roosevelt County Clerk's Office, located at 109 W 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130, phone, is the primary repository for recorded land documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, plat maps, and other instruments affecting real property. Roosevelt County Clerk records and indexes all land transactions under New Mexico statutes. Documents are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description, with records dating back to Roosevelt County's formation in 1903.
- Certified copies of recorded instruments can be obtained for a statutory fee, typically $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus certification fees.
- Requests for property records should be directed to the appropriate office depending on the type of information needed, recorded instruments from the Clerk, tax and valuation data from the Assessor.
Online access to recorded documents may be available through a subscription service or commercial vendor, though availability should be confirmed directly with the Clerk's office. Roosevelt County Assessor's office, located at 109 W 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130, phone, maintains property tax records, ownership information, legal descriptions, property valuations, and assessment data for all real property in Roosevelt County. Property tax information is public record and can be searched by owner name, parcel number, or legal description.
Roosevelt County Treasurer, also at the courthouse, handles tax payment collection and delinquency records. Roosevelt County may offer online GIS mapping and parcel viewer services through the Assessor's website or a third-party provider, allowing users to search parcels, view maps, and access basic ownership and valuation data.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Roosevelt County, New Mexico are maintained by the New Mexico Department of Health, Vital Records and Health Statistics, P.O. Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502. Birth certificates cost $10.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Death certificates are $5.00 per copy. Certified copies can be requested in person, by mail, or online through the state's VitalChek service at vitalrecordsonline.com.
- Processing time is typically 10-15 business days for mail requests and 2-5 business days for expedited online orders with additional fees.
- The marriage license fee is set by county ordinance.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as defined by New Mexico statute. Birth records are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years under NMSA 1978, § 24-14-25, with access limited to family members, legal representatives, and individuals with documented legal need. Marriage licenses are issued by Roosevelt County Clerk's office at 109 W 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130
New Mexico has no waiting period or blood test requirement for marriage licenses, and licenses are valid for one year from issuance. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk.
Divorce decrees are filed with the District Court Clerk and can be obtained from the Ninth Judicial District Court at 1700 N Avenue F, Portales, NM 88130. Historical vital records may also be available through the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Roosevelt County operates at multiple levels of government. Roosevelt County Clerk's office at 109 W 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130, phone, accepts filings for Doing Business As (DBA) names and fictitious business name certificates for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating in Roosevelt County. These filings create a public record of business name usage and ownership.
Formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, must be filed with the New Mexico Secretary of State, Corporations Bureau. The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online business entity database at portal.sos.state.nm.us where the public can search for registered businesses, view formation documents, check entity status, and access registered agent information free of charge. The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department issues Combined Reporting System (CRS) identification numbers for businesses collecting gross receipts tax, which is New Mexico's equivalent to sales tax.
Professional and occupational licenses are issued by the appropriate New Mexico state licensing board depending on the profession. Roosevelt County Planning and Zoning Department handles land use permits, and building permits are issued by Roosevelt County building official. Commercial businesses operating within Portales city limits must comply with city licensing requirements and may need to contact Portales City Hall at 200 E 7th Street, Portales, NM 88130
The Portales-Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, located at 200 E 7th Street, Portales, NM 88130, website portales.com, provides business development resources, networking opportunities, and economic information for Roosevelt County.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Roosevelt County are administered by Roosevelt County Clerk, who is the County Clerk and Voter Registrar. Roosevelt County Clerk's office is located at 109 W 1st Street, Portales, NM 88130 Voter registration in Roosevelt County can be completed online through the New Mexico Secretary of State's voter portal at nmvote.org, in person at the County Clerk's office, or by mail using a voter registration form. New Mexico law requires voters to register at least 28 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
- The online voter portal allows New Mexico residents to register to vote, update registration information, check registration status, and find polling locations.
- In the November 2024 general election, Roosevelt County reported voter turnout of approximately 58-62% of registered voters, consistent with typical New Mexico rural county participation in presidential elections.
- Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason.
- Requests can be submitted online through the Secretary of State's portal, by calling the County Clerk, or in person.
To find your polling place in Roosevelt County, voters can use the New Mexico Voter View system at nmvote.org or contact the County Clerk's office. Election records that are public in New Mexico include voter registration lists (excluding certain protected information), campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State, candidate declaration forms, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot statistics. Individual voter history (whether someone voted, not how they voted) is also public record.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include U.S. House of Representatives races, one U.S. Senate seat, statewide offices including Governor, and state legislative seats, along with local positions.
Absentee ballots in New Mexico are called mail-in ballots or absentee-in-person ballots. Mail-in ballot applications must be received by the Thursday before the election, and completed ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Early voting is also available at designated locations in Roosevelt County beginning 28 days before the election.
New Mexico's election transparency is supported by the Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 to 14-2-12), which allows citizens to request and inspect election related records including voter lists, poll worker rosters, and election administration documents.
Economy & Demographics
Roosevelt County's economy is fundamentally rooted in agriculture, particularly peanut production and dairy farming. Roosevelt County consistently ranks among the top peanut-producing counties in the United States, with thousands of acres dedicated to peanut cultivation supported by an ideal climate and soil conditions. Major agricultural employers include numerous family farming operations, Portales Valley Peanut Growers association, and dairy operations that have expanded significantly in recent decades.
- The median household income in Roosevelt County is estimated at approximately $42,000, below the national average but consistent with rural New Mexico counties.
- Key economic sectors include agriculture and food processing, education, healthcare (Roosevelt General Hospital is a major employer), retail trade, and government services.
- Leprino Foods Company operates a major mozzarella cheese manufacturing facility in Portales, one of the largest employers in Roosevelt County, processing milk from local dairies.
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) serves as one of the largest employers in Roosevelt County, providing education, research, and employment for hundreds of faculty and staff while contributing significantly to the local economy through student spending and university operations. The facility produces cheese for major pizza chains and food service companies nationwide. Recent economic development efforts have focused on diversifying the economy beyond agriculture, improving infrastructure, and supporting small business development.
Unemployment rates in Roosevelt County typically track slightly above state and national averages, reflecting the seasonal nature of agricultural work and limited industrial diversification. The New Mexico Eastern Plains Council of Governments works to promote regional economic development. Retail and service sectors are concentrated in Portales, while the rural communities remain heavily agricultural.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (State Portal) | Property: Limited: Online, In-Person Available | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Request | Vital Records: Limited: State Office Required | Business: Yes: Online (State Level) | Elections: Yes: Online Voter Tools | Overall Score: 6.5/10, Roosevelt County provides access to most public records, though many require in-person or phone requests rather than online portals.