By law, the County Clerk’s Office is the only agency in the State of New Mexico permitted to issue marriage licenses. All marriage license applications and marriage certificates are filed as permanent records. Marriage license applications are processed Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. The office is open during lunch hours and is closed for holidays.
Marriage licenses are issued and valid immediately, and they do not expire. There is no waiting period and no blood tests are required.
Marriage licenses issued by our office may be used anywhere in the State of New Mexico. If you are planning to get married in another state, you must contact a marriage license office in that state.
Marriage License & Application Information
Requirements to obtain a Marriage License in Los Alamos County:
For ages 18 and over
All individuals must have either:
- Current picture I.D., i.e. driver’s license, Military I.D., Passport, etc., or
- Another valid form of identification, which includes a photo and date of birth
For ages 16 and 17
- All information stated above is required, and
- The bride and groom must be present with a parent or legal guardian (NMSA 40-1-6), and
- Original or Certified Birth Certificate from the State or Country where born , and
- The parent or legal guardian must have a valid form of identification that includes a photo, along with proof they are the parent or legal guardian
For ages under 16
- Court Order is required (NMSA 40-1-6B), no other alternative, please see an attorney, and
- All other information stated above for persons of all ages
Other Requirements:
- Applicants must be one female and one male
- Both applicants need to be present, as each applicant will complete and sign the application
- Applicants must not be related within the degree prohibited by the State of New Mexico (NMSA 40-1-7)
- Neither applicants may be bound by marriage to another; proof of divorce is NOT required.
- Our office requires a Witness Form to be completed and returned to our office with your marriage certificate. This form will assist staff in accurately recording your marriage certificate.
Fee:
A $25.00 fee (cash or check) must be paid at the time of application. (NMSA 40-1-11E)
NOTE... It will take approximately 30 minutes to issue you a license. No license will be started after 4:30 PM.
Marriage Ceremonies
Individuals are responsible for making their own arrangements. For a civil ceremony, the following are telephone numbers of Judges within Los Alamos County who serve in different courts and may perform a marriage ceremony. Two competent witnesses, in addition to the judge, are required.
Municipal Court (505) 662-8025
Magistrate Court (505) 662-2727
Marriage Certificates must be returned and filed within ninety (90) days (NMSA 40-1-15) from the date of the marriage ceremony. Whoever performed the marriage is responsible for returning the certificate to the County Clerk where the license was issued.
Marriage Records
A certified copy of your marriage record may be obtained in person, mail, or phone. The fee for a certified copy is $2.50. Please call our office at (505) 662-8010.
The following information is needed to locate the record on file:
- Name of Bride and Groom
- Year or Date of Marriage
In Person Requests:
Los Alamos County Clerk
2451 Central Avenue, Suite D
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Mail Requests:
Los Alamos County Clerk
2451 Central Avenue, Suite D
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Phone Requests:
(505) 662-8010
Divorce Records
The County Clerk’s Office does not file divorce records. These records are filed in District Court and Los Alamos County is part of the First Judicial District. The First Judicial District Court Administration Office is located in the Santa Fe Judicial Complex located at 100 Catron, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505. For more information, please call (505) 455-8250 or 827-1256 or click here to visit their website.