Small claims court in Valencia County, New Mexico
In Valencia County, small claims cases up to $10,000 are heard by more than one court: 2 magistrate court locations in the county. You must file with the one that serves the right area. Below is one of them, the Valencia County Magistrate Court (Los Lunas), with a link to the official list.
Where to file in Valencia County
One of several courts in Valencia County: 2 magistrate court locations in the county. Find the right one: Official court directory.
Valencia County Magistrate Court (Los Lunas)
Address: 1206 Main St. NE, Los Lunas, NM 87031 · Map
Phone: 505-865-4637
2 magistrate court locations in the county. Also: Valencia County Magistrate Court (Belen) (639 Becker Ave., Belen, NM 87002, 505-864-7509). 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.
Is this the right county?
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.
How to file in Valencia County
Ask for payment in writing
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.
Fill in the claim (Civil Complaint)
Civil Complaint (Magistrate / Metropolitan Court) Get the form.
File it with the right court and pay the fee
$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.
Have the papers served
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.
Go to the hearing
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 guideCommon questions
Where is small claims court in Valencia County?
Valencia County has more than one small claims court (2 magistrate court locations in the county). File with the one that serves the area where the defendant lives or where the problem happened, as the venue rules say. One of them is the Valencia County Magistrate Court (Los Lunas), 1206 Main St. NE, Los Lunas, NM 87031. Phone: 505-865-4637. Official list of all of them: Official court directory, https://nmcourts.gov/search-for-your-court/
How much can I sue for in Valencia County small claims court?
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.
How much does it cost to file in Valencia County?
$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.