General Civil Case Cover Sheet — New Mexico District Court
GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET
STATE OF NEW MEXICO — DISTRICT COURTS
Required at Commencement of All Civil Actions
FILING REQUIREMENT: A Civil Case Cover Sheet must accompany all initial civil filings in New Mexico District Court. The Clerk of Court will not docket the case without a completed cover sheet. File this cover sheet electronically via the Odyssey File & Serve system where required, or submit in paper form with the Clerk. Verify the current form and local rules for your judicial district at https://nmcourts.gov.
NEW MEXICO JUDICIAL DISTRICTS: There are 13 judicial districts in New Mexico. Confirm which district court has jurisdiction over your county before filing. Major districts include: 1st (Santa Fe), 2nd (Bernalillo/Albuquerque), 3rd (Doña Ana), 5th (Chaves/Eddy/Lea), 11th (Bernalillo — metro), and 13th (Sandoval/Cibola/Valencia).
I. COURT AND CASE IDENTIFICATION
STATE OF NEW MEXICO
[____] JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF [________________________________]
Court Address: [________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________],
PLAINTIFF(S),
v. Case No.: [________________________________]
(Assigned by Clerk)
[________________________________],
DEFENDANT(S).
Filing Date: [__/__/____]
Assigned Judge: [________________________________]
(Assigned by Clerk)
II. FILER IDENTITY
Identify the capacity of the person completing this cover sheet:
☐ Attorney for Plaintiff(s)
☐ Attorney for Defendant(s)
☐ Attorney for Intervenor / Third Party
☐ Self-Represented Plaintiff (Pro Se)
☐ Self-Represented Defendant (Pro Se)
☐ Other: [________________________________]
III. PARTY INFORMATION
A. Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner(s)
| # | Full Legal Name | Entity Type | Street Address | City, State, ZIP | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [________________________________] | ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government ☐ Trust ☐ Other: [____] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| 2 | [________________________________] | ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government ☐ Trust ☐ Other: [____] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
☐ Additional plaintiff(s) — see attached Additional Parties Schedule.
B. Defendant(s) / Respondent(s)
| # | Full Legal Name | Entity Type | Street Address (if known) | City, State, ZIP | Telephone (if known) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [________________________________] | ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government ☐ Trust ☐ Other: [____] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
| 2 | [________________________________] | ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government ☐ Trust ☐ Other: [____] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] |
☐ Additional defendant(s) — see attached Additional Parties Schedule.
C. Interpreter / ADA Accommodation
☐ Language interpreter needed — Language: [________________________________]
☐ ADA accommodation needed — Describe: [________________________________]
☐ No accommodations needed
IV. ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY INFORMATION
A. Lead Counsel for Plaintiff(s)
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Attorney Name | [________________________________] |
| New Mexico Bar No. | [________________________________] |
| Firm Name | [________________________________] |
| Mailing Address | [________________________________] |
| City, State, ZIP | [________________________________], NM [________] |
| Telephone | ([____]) [____]-[________] |
| Facsimile | ([____]) [____]-[________] |
| [________________________________] | |
| Odyssey / eFile ID | [________________________________] |
B. Lead Counsel for Defendant(s) (if known at time of filing)
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Attorney Name | [________________________________] |
| New Mexico Bar No. | [________________________________] |
| Firm Name | [________________________________] |
| Telephone | ([____]) [____]-[________] |
| [________________________________] |
C. Self-Represented Litigant (if no attorney)
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | [________________________________] |
| Mailing Address | [________________________________] |
| City, State, ZIP | [________________________________] |
| Telephone | ([____]) [____]-[________] |
| [________________________________] |
V. CASE TYPE CLASSIFICATION
Select ONE primary case type below. If secondary claims exist, note them in Section X. Accurate classification assists case management and statistical reporting by the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts.
A. TORT
| Case Type | Select |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Negligence — Personal Injury | ☐ |
| Motor Vehicle Negligence — Property Damage Only | ☐ |
| Motor Vehicle Negligence — Wrongful Death (NMSA § 41-2-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Premises Liability / Slip and Fall | ☐ |
| Medical Malpractice (NMSA § 41-5-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Legal Malpractice | ☐ |
| Other Professional Malpractice | ☐ |
| Products Liability | ☐ |
| Wrongful Death — Non-Vehicle (NMSA § 41-2-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Intentional Tort (Assault, Battery, False Imprisonment, etc.) | ☐ |
| Defamation / Libel / Slander | ☐ |
| Fraud / Misrepresentation | ☐ |
| Nuisance | ☐ |
| Other Tort — describe: [________________________________] | ☐ |
B. CONTRACT
| Case Type | Select |
|---|---|
| Consumer Debt / Credit Card | ☐ |
| Commercial Contract / Business Debt | ☐ |
| Construction Contract | ☐ |
| Insurance Coverage / Bad Faith | ☐ |
| Employment Contract (non-statutory) | ☐ |
| Indemnity / Subrogation | ☐ |
| UCC / Commercial Transaction (NMSA § 55-1-101 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Breach of Warranty | ☐ |
| Other Contract — describe: [________________________________] | ☐ |
C. REAL PROPERTY
| Case Type | Select |
|---|---|
| Foreclosure — Residential Mortgage | ☐ |
| Foreclosure — Commercial Mortgage | ☐ |
| Quiet Title / Title Dispute | ☐ |
| Eminent Domain / Condemnation (NMSA § 42A-1-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Boundary / Easement / Survey Dispute | ☐ |
| Landlord-Tenant / Eviction | ☐ |
| Partition of Real Property | ☐ |
| Mechanic's Lien Enforcement | ☐ |
| Other Real Property — describe: [________________________________] | ☐ |
D. CIVIL RIGHTS / EMPLOYMENT
| Case Type | Select |
|---|---|
| Civil Rights — 42 U.S.C. § 1983 | ☐ |
| New Mexico Human Rights Act (NMSA § 28-1-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Employment Discrimination (Race, Sex, Age, Disability, etc.) | ☐ |
| Wrongful Termination / Retaliation | ☐ |
| New Mexico Tort Claims Act (NMSA § 41-4-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Other Civil Rights / Employment — describe: [________________________________] | ☐ |
E. DOMESTIC RELATIONS / FAMILY
| Case Type | Select |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) | ☐ |
| Legal Separation | ☐ |
| Child Custody / Visitation (NMSA § 40-4-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Child Support / Modification | ☐ |
| Paternity / Parentage | ☐ |
| Domestic Violence / Protective Order | ☐ |
| Adoption | ☐ |
| Other Family — describe: [________________________________] | ☐ |
F. OTHER CIVIL
| Case Type | Select |
|---|---|
| Declaratory Judgment (NMRA Rule 1-057) | ☐ |
| Injunctive Relief (NMRA Rule 1-066) | ☐ |
| Class Action | ☐ |
| Administrative Appeal | ☐ |
| Probate / Trust / Guardianship / Conservatorship | ☐ |
| Workers' Compensation Appeal (NMSA § 52-5-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Writ of Mandamus / Prohibition / Certiorari | ☐ |
| Election Contest | ☐ |
| Foreign Judgment Registration (NMSA § 39-4B-1 et seq.) | ☐ |
| Name Change | ☐ |
| Other / Miscellaneous — describe: [________________________________] | ☐ |
VI. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY
A. Monetary Relief
Indicate the approximate amount of monetary damages sought:
☐ Under $10,000 (Magistrate Court jurisdiction may apply — NMSA § 35-3-3)
☐ $10,000 to $25,000
☐ $25,001 to $50,000
☐ $50,001 to $100,000
☐ $100,001 to $500,000
☐ Over $500,000
☐ Non-monetary relief only (no damages sought)
Estimated total monetary damages: $[________________________________]
| Damages Category | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Compensatory / Actual Damages | $[________________________________] |
| Lost Income / Earning Capacity | $[________________________________] |
| Medical Expenses (past and future) | $[________________________________] |
| Property Damage | $[________________________________] |
| Punitive Damages | $[________________________________] |
| Statutory Damages | $[________________________________] |
| Attorney's Fees (if authorized by statute or contract) | $[________________________________] |
| Costs | $[________________________________] |
| Total Estimated | $[________________________________] |
B. Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief Sought
☐ Declaratory judgment
☐ Preliminary injunction
☐ Permanent injunction
☐ Specific performance
☐ Accounting
☐ Quiet title
☐ Partition
☐ Writ of mandamus / prohibition
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]
JURISDICTIONAL NOTE: New Mexico District Courts have general civil jurisdiction (NMSA § 34-6-1 et seq.). For matters $10,000 or less, Magistrate Court may have concurrent jurisdiction (NMSA § 35-3-3). Small claims actions up to $10,000 may be filed in Magistrate Court under NMRA Rule 2-801 et seq.
VII. JURY DEMAND
☐ Jury trial demanded — pursuant to NMRA Rule 1-038 and N.M. Const. Art. II, § 12.
☐ No jury demand — bench trial or non-jury matter.
☐ Jury demand reserved — right to demand jury trial preserved pending further pleadings.
PRACTICE NOTE: Under NMRA Rule 1-038(B), a party may demand a trial by jury on any issue triable of right by jury by filing a written demand no later than ten (10) days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue. Failure to demand within this period constitutes waiver of jury trial on that issue. A jury demand fee of $150.00 (per NMSA § 34-6-40) is required at the time of the demand. Note: jury trial is not available in domestic relations matters in most cases.
VIII. SERVICE OF PROCESS
A. Method of Service for Each Defendant
| Defendant Name | Service Address | Method of Service |
|---|---|---|
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | ☐ Sheriff ☐ Private Process Server ☐ Certified Mail ☐ Secretary of State ☐ Publication |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | ☐ Sheriff ☐ Private Process Server ☐ Certified Mail ☐ Secretary of State ☐ Publication |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | ☐ Sheriff ☐ Private Process Server ☐ Certified Mail ☐ Secretary of State ☐ Publication |
B. Special Service Circumstances
☐ Corporation / LLC — Service on registered agent per NMSA § 53-14-13 (corporations) or § 53-19-11 (LLCs). Registered agent: [________________________________]. Address: [________________________________].
☐ Government entity — Service per NMRA Rule 1-004(H). Identify entity and officer to be served: [________________________________].
☐ Out-of-state defendant — Long-arm service under NMSA § 38-1-16. Basis for jurisdiction: [________________________________].
☐ Address unknown — Service by publication under NMRA Rule 1-004(J).
☐ Waiver of service — Request for waiver under NMRA Rule 1-004(C).
IX. RELATED CASES
Are there related cases currently pending or previously decided in any New Mexico state or federal court?
☐ No related cases.
☐ Yes — The following related cases are identified:
| Case Number | Court / County / District | Caption | Relationship to This Case | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | ☐ Pending ☐ Closed |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | [________________________________] | ☐ Pending ☐ Closed |
Has any substantially similar action been previously filed and dismissed in any court?
☐ No
☐ Yes — Provide details: [________________________________]
X. SECONDARY CASE CATEGORIES / ADDITIONAL CLAIMS
If this case involves secondary claims in addition to the primary category selected in Section V, identify them here:
Secondary category: [________________________________]
Applicable statute(s) or rule(s): [________________________________]
XI. CASE COMPLEXITY AND SCHEDULING
A. Case Track Designation (per NMRA Rule 1-016)
☐ Standard Track — Anticipated to resolve within standard scheduling parameters.
☐ Complex / Exceptional Track — Requires specialized or extended case management.
B. Complexity Factors (check all that apply)
☐ Ten or more parties
☐ Anticipated discovery exceeding 200 attorney-hours
☐ Substantial expert witness testimony anticipated
☐ Class action certification sought
☐ Multi-state or federal constitutional issues
☐ Substantial document-intensive discovery (ESI)
☐ Other: [________________________________]
C. Trial Estimate
Estimated trial length: [____] days
Anticipated number of fact witnesses: [____]
Anticipated number of expert witnesses: [____]
XII. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)
New Mexico courts actively encourage ADR. Local rules in many districts require participation in court-sponsored mediation programs.
☐ This case is eligible for court-annexed mediation.
☐ This case is eligible for court-annexed arbitration.
☐ Parties have agreed to private ADR — describe: [________________________________]
☐ Parties have already completed ADR — outcome: [________________________________]
☐ ADR is not appropriate for this case type — reason: [________________________________]
XIII. FILING FEE SCHEDULE
Pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 34-6-40 and applicable New Mexico Supreme Court fee orders:
| Fee Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Civil Docket Fee — District Court (general civil) | $132.00 |
| Jury Demand Fee | $150.00 |
| Service of Process — Sheriff (per defendant) | Varies by county |
| Service of Process — Private Process Server | Varies |
| Certified Copy Fee | $1.50 per page |
| ADR / Mediation Surcharge (if applicable) | Varies by district |
| Electronic Filing Convenience Fee (Odyssey File & Serve) | Varies by provider |
| Fee Waiver — Affidavit of Indigency (NMSA § 34-6-42) | $0.00 |
☐ Filing fee of $[________________________________] tendered with this filing.
☐ Fee waiver motion filed concurrently pursuant to NMSA § 34-6-42 and applicable court order.
FEE VERIFICATION NOTE: Filing fees are subject to periodic revision. Verify current amounts with the District Court Clerk before filing. The Administrative Office of the Courts may issue updated fee schedules. Some judicial districts may impose additional local filing fees.
XIV. ELECTRONIC FILING
New Mexico District Courts utilize the Odyssey File & Serve (Tyler Technologies) platform for electronic filing.
☐ This filing is submitted electronically through Odyssey File & Serve.
☐ This filing is submitted in paper format (emergency or exemption basis).
E-FILING NOTE: Pursuant to New Mexico Supreme Court Order No. 20-8500-034, electronic filing is mandatory for attorneys in most civil cases in participating district courts. Self-represented litigants may file electronically or in paper. Visit https://nmcourts.gov for Odyssey registration and filing instructions. Confirm e-filing availability in your specific judicial district and division.
XV. OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS
☐ Additional Parties Schedule (if more than two plaintiffs or defendants)
☐ Complex Litigation Cover Sheet Addendum
☐ Proposed Scheduling Order (NMRA Rule 1-016)
☐ Fee Waiver Motion and Affidavit (NMSA § 34-6-42)
☐ Discovery Plan
☐ Emergency / TRO Motion (NMRA Rule 1-066)
XVI. CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE
I certify that the information provided in this Civil Case Cover Sheet is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, formed after reasonable inquiry, and that this filing complies with NMRA Rule 1-011 and all applicable New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure and local rules.
Date: [__/__/____]
________________________________________
Signature
[________________________________]
Printed Name
☐ Attorney for Plaintiff(s) ☐ Attorney for Defendant(s) ☐ Self-Represented Party
New Mexico Bar No.: [________________________________]
(leave blank if self-represented)
[________________________________] (Firm Name)
[________________________________] (Street Address)
[________________________________], New Mexico [________]
Telephone: ([____]) [____]-[________]
Email: [________________________________]
XVII. CLERK'S USE ONLY
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Date Received | _________________ |
| Filing Fee Paid | $_________________ |
| Receipt No. | _________________ |
| Case Number Assigned | _________________ |
| Judge / Division Assigned | _________________ |
| Case Category Code Entered | _________________ |
| Cover Sheet Complete | ☐ Yes ☐ No — Deficiency: _________________ |
XVIII. FILING INSTRUCTIONS
-
Mandatory Attachment. Attach this cover sheet as the first document in the filing packet. The Clerk of Court will not docket the case without a completed cover sheet.
-
E-Filing. Where Odyssey File & Serve is operational in your judicial district, upload this cover sheet as a separate lead document preceding the complaint or petition.
-
Paper Filing. For paper filings, submit the original cover sheet plus the number of copies required by local rule. Confirm copy requirements with the Clerk prior to filing.
-
Fees. Pay all applicable fees at the time of filing. Non-payment may result in administrative dismissal of the case.
-
Domestic Relations. Domestic relations cases (dissolution of marriage, custody, support) use this cover sheet but may also require a separate domestic relations information sheet. Confirm requirements with your judicial district.
-
Probate. Probate matters are filed in District Court in New Mexico. Confirm whether your district requires a separate probate cover form.
-
Service. After filing, serve the complaint and summons on all defendants pursuant to NMRA Rule 1-004. Proof of service must be filed with the court.
-
Emergency Relief. If seeking a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction under NMRA Rule 1-066, file a separate emergency motion with supporting affidavit simultaneously with the complaint.
PRACTICE NOTES
Venue
Under NMSA § 38-3-1, district-court venue is claim- and defendant-specific. Subsection (A)'s transitory-action alternatives include party residence, where the contract sued on was made or is to be performed, where the cause of action originated or indebtedness was incurred, and the stated found-within-district route. Subsection (D) governs suits whose object is land or an interest in land; subsections (F) and (G) provide special rules for specified defendants. Improper venue may be challenged by motion under NMRA Rule 1-012(B).
Service Deadlines
Under NMRA Rule 1-004(C)(2), service must be made within 120 days of the filing of the complaint. Failure to serve within this period may result in dismissal without prejudice.
Statute of Limitations — Key New Mexico Periods
- Personal injury / tort: 3 years (NMSA § 37-1-8)
- Written contract: 6 years (NMSA § 37-1-3)
- Oral contract: 4 years (NMSA § 37-1-4)
- Medical malpractice: 3 years from the act (occurrence rule; NO discovery rule) (NMSA § 41-5-13)
- Wrongful death: 3 years (NMSA § 41-2-2)
- NM Tort Claims Act: 2 years (NMSA § 41-4-15)
- Fraud: 4 years from discovery (NMSA § 37-1-7)
SOURCES AND REFERENCES
- New Mexico Courts (Official Site): https://nmcourts.gov
- New Mexico Rules Annotated (NMRA): https://nmcourts.gov/rules/
- NMSA 1978, § 34-6-40 (Filing Fees): https://nmonesource.com
- Odyssey File & Serve (E-Filing): https://odysseyfileandserve.zendesk.com
- New Mexico District Court Locations: https://nmcourts.gov/courts/district-courts/
- New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts: https://nmcourts.gov/aoc/
This template is provided for informational and drafting purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Practitioners must verify all information against current New Mexico statutes, court rules, local rules, and administrative orders before filing. Filing requirements, form versions, and fee amounts are subject to change without notice.
DISCLAIMER: This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney before use.
About this template
- Last updated
- September 12, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- New Mexico
- Category
- Litigation & Court Documents
Legal authority
- NMRA Rule 1-003 (Commencement of Action)
- NMRA Rule 1-004 (Process)
- NMRA Rule 1-005.2 (Electronic Service and Filing)
- NMRA Rule 1-011 (Signing of Pleadings)
- NMRA Rule 1-016 (Pre-Trial Conferences; Scheduling; Management)
- NMRA Rule 1-038 (Jury Trial of Right)
- NMRA Rule 1-066 (Injunctions)
- NMSA 1978, § 34-6-40 (District Court Fees)
- NMSA 1978, § 34-6-42 (Fee Waivers)
- NMSA 1978, § 38-3-1 et seq. (Venue)
- NMSA 1978, § 41-4-1 et seq. (Tort Claims Act)
- NMSA 1978, § 41-5-1 et seq. (Medical Malpractice Act)
- NMSA 1978, § 41-2-1 et seq. (Wrongful Death Act)
- NMSA 1978, § 28-1-1 et seq. (Human Rights Act)
- New Mexico Supreme Court Order No. 20-8500-034 (Mandatory Electronic Filing)
These are the filings that drive a lawsuit through the system: complaints, answers, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, and post-judgment papers. Each has its own format requirements under federal and state procedural rules, and each has a deadline that cannot be missed without consequences. Clean, procedurally correct filings move a case forward; sloppy ones invite motions to strike, amended responses, and avoidable delays.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
The statutes this template relies on are listed under Legal authority.
NMSA 1978, § 38-3-1(A), (D), (F)-(G) (checked September 12, 2026): "All civil actions commenced in the district courts shall be brought and shall be commenced in counties as follows and not otherwise."
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