In Rio Arriba County, small claims cases up to $10,000 are heard by the Rio Arriba County Magistrate Court (Tierra Amarilla). Here is where it is, how to reach it and how to file.
Address: 7 Main St., Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575 · Map
Phone: 505-984-3975
2 magistrate court locations in the county. Also: Rio Arriba County Magistrate Court (Española) (1127 Santa Clara Peak Road, Española, NM 87532, 505-984-3955). Call the clerk to confirm which location should take your case.
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 Rio Arriba County are filed with the Rio Arriba County Magistrate Court (Tierra Amarilla), 7 Main St., Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575. Phone: 505-984-3975.
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.