These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Find out which paper and where it happened
You can ask"Which paper do you need: marriage, divorce, or death?"
You can ask"In what county and state did it happen, and about what year?"
You can ask"What is it for?" (ID or name change, Social Security, VA, a bank, a will)
2Marriage certificate
It comes from the county clerk in the county where the marriage license was bought.
Married in Grant County: the Grant County Clerk in Silver City.
Grant County Clerk's Office
County Clerk (recording, marriage licenses, elections, voter registration)
575-574-0042
1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Bring
- Photo ID
- both names used at the time
- the date of marriage (or a guess)
Married somewhere else? Call that county clerk. The CDC list shows where to write in each state.
CDC National Center for Health Statistics - Where to Write for Vital Records
How to order a birth certificate from another state
· Statewide phone/online
3Divorce decree
It comes from the district court in the county where the divorce was granted.
Divorced in Grant County: the district court clerk in Silver City.
Sixth Judicial District Court - Grant County Clerk
District court clerk (felony, divorce, custody, protection orders, name changes)
575-538-3250 ext. 2
Silver City (address shared by phone) · Clerk Mon-Fri 8am-4pm (open over lunch); court 8am-5pm
Bring
- Photo ID
- both names
- about when the divorce was final
- the case number if they have it
4Death certificate
In New Mexico, death certificates come from the state Vital Records office in Santa Fe, not the local health office.
Only close family (spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, grandparent, grandchild) or someone with legal proof can order one.
By mail: Form 610, a copy of photo ID, and a money order or certified check to New Mexico Vital Records. It costs $5 a copy and can take weeks.
NM Department of Health - Vital Records
Birth certificates
575-538-5318
2610 N Silver St, Suite 7, Silver City · Office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (closed 12-1); vital records hours are limited, call first
Faster by phone or online through VitalChek, but it costs more (about $21 or more).
NM Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Records
Birth/death certificates by phone (VitalChek)
877-284-0963
2554 Camino Entrada, Santa Fe · VitalChek phone/online; NMDOH Helpline weekdays 7am-8pm, weekends 10am-4pm
NM Department of Health - NMHealth Helpline
State health helpline (incl. vital records questions)
833-796-8773
· Weekdays 7am-8pm; weekends 10am-4pm
5If someone just died
Grieving and planning a funeral? See the guide "Someone died and the family can't pay for a funeral".
See the guide "Grieving a death and needs support".
At the Gospel MissionPrayer is available if they want it. A case worker can sit with them and help with next steps.
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
Know a better way? Is something out of date?
If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.