SANTA FE – Members of the public can pay online for court case copies with a new system launched in state district courts in six counties in north-central and southwestern New Mexico.

The online payment system can help reduce the number of people who need to visit a courthouse during the current pandemic.

Under a pilot program in the Fourth and Sixth Judicial Districts, online payments with a credit card or debit card will be an option for people who do not want to mail payments or go to a courthouse to pay in-person. Fees for photocopies or certified copies of court case records can be paid online along with other services, such a CD or tape copy of a recording of a court proceeding.  

The Fourth Judicial District covers San Miguel, Mora and Guadalupe counties, with district courts in the communities of Las Vegas, Mora and Santa Rosa. The Sixth Judicial District encompasses Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties, with district courts in Silver City, Lordsburg and Deming.

“The online system provides a convenient, secure method to pay for copies of court documents,” said Fourth Judicial District Chief Judge Gerald Baca. “New Mexicans should first call the district court clerk’s office to arrange for their copies and determine the cost. They can then pay online.”

Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Jennifer DeLaney said, “Electronic payments are part of an ongoing effort to improve public access to court services. In rural areas, the online payment system can help New Mexicans eliminate a potentially long trip to a courthouse.”

Links to online payment portals are available on the websites of the Fourth and Sixth Judicial District Courts along with instructions for using the system and a list of fees that can be paid electronically. The credit card processing vendor will charge a 3.45% fee on the amount of the electronic payment. Courts do not receive any portion of the credit card fee. Payments by Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express will be accepted.

The New Mexico Judiciary intends to expand online and telephonic payment options for court fees statewide within the next 12 months.