LEGAL ADVICE LIMITATION

Staff in this office MAY NOT fill out forms or offer such direction to the public. NM County Employees are prohibited from giving LEGAL ADVICE. Please contact a qualified licensed attorney for legal advice regarding the appropriate language, format, and/or process for matters handled by this office.

SEARCHES

Our office is not licensed or bonded to conduct detailed real estate searches. Please contact a local Abstract or Title Company. However, on request, our office will instruct persons on how to perform real estate title searches in our office. The Torrance County Clerk’s Office will not assume liability for searches conducted by others. There is no charge to search records on file in this office.

DOCUMENTS AND FORMS 

Check in the "DEPARTMENT DOWNLOADS" section below for immediate access to information and forms that you might need.

Recording Requirements

You can mail your documents to:  Torrance County Clerk, P. O. Box 767, Estancia, N.M. 87016.  Please call us at 505-544-4350 and we will give you the fee to record your document.  Your document will be recorded, scanned and originals will be sent back to you with your receipt.    It will immediately become public record once recorded. 

Real Estate Documents

All documents must have original signature, notary seal and date of notary expiration. Correct fee must accompany document or it will be returned unrecorded. Recording space of at least 2x3 for our recording information must be allowed. The only documents that do not require a notary are: Lis Pendens, Federal Tax Lien, release (IRS)

Marriage Licenses

To obtain a marriage license both parties must be present and be 18 years of age or older. Sufficient ID must be provided such as driver's license, birth certificate or passport to satisfy the identity and qualifications to receive a marriage license. Anyone under the age of 18 shall first receive the written consent of each of the minor's parents as shown on the minor's birth certificate or a judicial authorization by the district court upon request of a parent or legal guardian is presented to the county clerk. Fee for marriage license is $55.00 effective June 22,2025.

UCC's –Financing Statements

Only real estate filings will be recorded at Torrance County, all others will be filed at the secretary of state's office. All statements must be on correct standard page, or a double fee shall be charged. Legal description must be on all documents. Book and page will be allowed. Correct fee must be included, if a shortage occurs, we will return document unrecorded. Any over payment shall be kept.

Business Registration 

We require a business registration if you are doing business in an unincorporated area of the County which is anything outside of a Municipality.    If your business is within a Municipality such as Encino, Estancia, Moriarty, Mountainair or Willard you would need to purchase your registration with that particular Municipality.  If your business is in the County’s unincorporated area you would purchase the registration with the Torrance County Clerk.  The fee for the registration is $35.00.  

The fee is pro-rated:

July – September $35.00
October – December $26.50
January – March $17.50
April – June $8.75

To apply for business registration, see below.

We require a New Mexico Tax ID number.  You can apply for it online at tax.newmexico.gov.    

After the forms have been completed our Planning and Zoning Office needs to sign the form.  Planning and Zoning’s phone number is 505-544-4390 they can answer any question you may have about their requirements for your business.

A renewal will be sent to you on June 30 for the annual fee of $35.00 which will be due before July 30.  

Special Event Registration

We require a business registration for special events the fee is $8.75. Click here for special event form.

Probate (See Probate Judge Page)

If the deed is in joint tenants, no probate is needed, just record the death certificate. Probate fees must be included. An original or certified death certificate and a will, if available must be included. All documents recorded for purpose of probate will stay in the county file.

Faxing, and Mailing Copies

Any and all requests must be in written form. We need a book and page along with the correct fees.