FAQs/Notice

How do I request public records from the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General?

The Inspection of Public Records Act is intended to provide the public with access to information governmental affairs. The law requires public access to virtually all public records with a few exceptions. Each state agency and local governmental entities have designated a records custodian to whom requests to inspect records should be addressed. To request to inspect records from the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General, please visit the Make Request page.

If you need to contact us directly, email us at iprarequestrecords@nmag.gov, fax us at (505) 717-3600, or send a letter to: Records Custodian, New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, PO Drawer 1508, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508.

How do I view Attorney General Opinions?

Opinions and Advisory Letters are prepared after a thorough review of all of the circumstances, evidence, law, and precedent related to the request. Policymakers often rely on opinions issued by the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General to help them make informed decisions as they evaluate proposed statutory changes and new pieces of legislation. A legal opinion generated by the state’s lawyer, an uninvolved third party, is invaluable in helping avoid costly litigation and offering an accurate and unbiased reading of statute. For more information, visit the Search page.

How do I report violations of the Inspection of Public Records Act?

The Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) is a New Mexico state law that provides the public and media access to public information. The law requires open access to almost all public records in state and local government, with few exceptions.

Complaints about possible violations, or questions pertaining to IPRA should be referred to the Open Government Division. The Division enforces the Act by investigating and responding to written complaints from citizens. They can be reached at (505) 490-4060.

With New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

How do I report violations of the Open Meetings Act?

The Open Meetings Act (OMA) is a state law, which provides the statutory guidelines for conducting public meetings.

Complaints about possible violations, or questions pertaining to OMA should be referred to the Open Government Division. The Division enforces the Act by investigating and responding to written complaints from citizens. They can be reached at (505) 490-4060.

With the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Electronic Complaint Submission (ECS) application, you can submit your complaint to our office without having to fill out paper forms.

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO INSPECT PUBLIC RECORDS

By law, under the Inspection of Public Records Act, every person has the right to inspect public records of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General. The Act also makes compliance with requests to inspect public records an integral part of the routine duties of the officers and employees of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General.

A person desiring to inspect public records may submit a request to the records custodian orally or in writing. However, the procedures and penalties prescribed by the Act apply only to written requests. A written request must contain the name, address and telephone number of the person making the request. The request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable the records custodian to identify and locate the requested records.

The records custodian must permit inspection immediately or as soon as practicable, but no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the records custodian receives the inspection request. If inspection is not permitted within three (3) business days, the person making the request will receive a written response explaining when the records will be available for inspection or when the public body will respond to the request. If any of the records sought are not available for public inspection, the person making the request is entitled to a written response from the records custodian explaining the reasons inspection has been denied. The written denial shall delivered or mailed within fifteen (15) calendar days after the records custodian received the request for inspection.