Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed Senate Bill 290, a bipartisan initiative aimed at modernizing the collection and distribution of marriage license fees in New Mexico. The new law raises the marriage license fee from $25 to $55, redistributing revenue to support essential county services.
The updated fee structure addresses funding gaps in clerk offices, particularly for document preservation where no dedicated fund exists. Counties are tasked with maintaining historical and legal records indefinitely but often lack resources for proper protection, digitization, and archiving. The additional revenue will also aid technology and security upgrades such as electronic filing systems and fraud prevention measures.
Rosangela Ortiz, Chair of the County Clerks’ Affiliate and Chief Deputy Clerk of the Bureau of Elections in Santa Fe County, said, "This legislation reflects the real cost of providing secure, modern service at the county level." Ortiz noted that efforts to modernize this fee structure have been ongoing for several years but only recently gained full traction. She expressed gratitude to Governor Lujan Grisham and Senator Trujillo for their leadership on this issue.
The revised allocation of the marriage license fee includes $20 retained by the county clerk’s office for local administrative needs, $20 directed to the Children’s Trust Fund (up from $15), and $15 to the county general fund (up from $10).
SB 290 provides a sustainable revenue stream for counties to meet statutory obligations while reducing dependency on general fund allocations. Despite not being updated in decades, New Mexico's new fee aligns with neighboring states like Texas ($82), Arizona ($83), and Utah ($50–$60). The law takes effect on June 20, 2025.
For further information or media inquiries, contact Margaret Gillet at megillett@santafecountynm.gov or call 505-992-9858.
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