In De Baca County, small claims cases up to $10,000 are heard by the De Baca County Magistrate Court. Here is where it is, how to reach it and how to file.
Address: 282 E. Ave. B, Fort Sumner, NM 88119 · Map
Phone: 575-355-7371
Court addresses, phones and hours change. Call the clerk before you go, and ask whether small claims are filed at this location.
File in the county where you live, where the defendant lives, or where the problem happened. In Albuquerque and the rest of Bernalillo County, file at the Metropolitan Court.
If the person or business you are suing is in another county, use that county's court instead. See all New Mexico counties.
The court rules don't require a demand letter before you file, but asking for payment in writing first is a good idea. Make a free demand letter.
Civil Complaint (Magistrate / Metropolitan Court) Get the form.
$77 to file a civil complaint in Magistrate Court or Metropolitan Court. A jury costs an extra $25 plus a $75 deposit. Service by the sheriff or a process server costs extra. Fee waiver: Free Process (fee waiver) application, available from the court clerk.
You cannot hand the papers over yourself. Use the sheriff, a private process server, or any adult who isn't part of the case. You can also mail the papers with an Acknowledgment of Service form; if it isn't signed and returned within about 23 days, you must use personal service.
The court sets a trial after the defendant answers; timing depends on the court. If the case sits for 6 months with no action, it can be dismissed. Bring receipts, photos, messages, the contract and your demand letter, with copies.
Want every detail? The full New Mexico filing guide covers each stage with a checklist.
Open the filing guideSmall claims in De Baca County are filed with the De Baca County Magistrate Court, 282 E. Ave. B, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Phone: 575-355-7371.
Up to $10,000. New Mexico has no separate small claims court. Civil cases up to $10,000 go to the Magistrate Court in each county, or to the Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County. Businesses have the same limit.
$77 to file a civil complaint in Magistrate Court or Metropolitan Court. A jury costs an extra $25 plus a $75 deposit. Service by the sheriff or a process server costs extra.