Want it written for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a Statement of Claim laid out so you can copy each field onto the official 4-201 Civil Complaint, plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your New Mexico claim qualifiesThe New Mexico Small Claims Form
📄 4-201 Civil Complaint (magistrate)
The form that opens your case. Download it free from nmcourts.gov.
New Mexico Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Magistrate Court (Bernalillo: Metropolitan Court) |
| Claim limit | $10,000 |
| Claim form | 4-201 Civil Complaint (magistrate) |
| Filing fee | $77 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Confirm with the clerk which service methods your court allows |
In New Mexico, the exact court, local paperwork and fees can differ by county or court. The court finder below shows yours.
Filing Deadlines in New Mexico
How long the law gives you to file. When the clock starts depends on the claim, so do not leave it late: a claim filed after the deadline can be dismissed however strong it is.
| Type of claim | Time to file | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-3(A) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 4 years | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-4 |
| Damage to property | 4 years | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-4 |
| Personal injury | 3 years | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Where to Get the Official New Mexico Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — nmcourts.gov
- Official source — selfrepresentation.nmcourts.gov
- Official source — nmcourts.gov
- The clerk of the Magistrate Court (Bernalillo: Metropolitan Court) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does New Mexico compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
New Mexico Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in New Mexico?
The form that opens the case is the 4-201 Civil Complaint. The official source is nmcourts.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in New Mexico small claims court?
In New Mexico you can claim up to $10,000 in the Magistrate Court (Bernalillo: Metropolitan Court). If your claim is larger, you can usually reduce it to the limit or file in a higher court instead.
❓ How much does it cost to file small claims in New Mexico?
The filing fee is $77 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the New Mexico small claims form for me?
We write a Statement of Claim from your answers, laid out so you can copy each field onto the official 4-201 Civil Complaint yourself — we do not produce the form itself. It comes with a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist.
Want it written for you?
A few plain-English questions about your New Mexico case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your New Mexico claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.