Albuquerque Small Claims Court: Where and How to File

Which court

Albuquerque's small claims court is the civil side of Metropolitan Court, at 401 Lomas. It can hear your case only if the events happened in Bernalillo County, the defendant is served in New Mexico, and you or the defendant live in the county. Do not confuse it with the Second Judicial District Court at 400 Lomas, which handles bigger civil cases.

Where and how to file

Limit	$10,000
Court	Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court (civil)
Address	401 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone	505-841-8151
Hours	Courthouse open Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fees	$77 to file a civil complaint ($72 docket fee plus $5 mediation fee). A jury costs a further $25 fee plus a $75 deposit. Schedule revised 1 July 2024 and posted January 2026.
Serving papers	You cannot deliver the papers yourself. The county sheriff, a private process server, or any adult who is not a party can serve them, and the sheriff and process servers charge fees. The Return of Service must then be filed with the court.

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court (civil) small claims page

Good to know here

File in Customer Service on the first floor. After filing, the clerk prepares a Service Packet for you.
The defendant has 20 days after service to answer, or you can ask for a default judgment.
If the case goes to trial, the plaintiff must give a witness and exhibit list at least 20 days before, unless the judge orders otherwise.
A corporation or LLC may be required by law to have an attorney.
The Self-Help Center is on the second floor, Room 210, 505-841-9817, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hours, fees and locations change. Call the court or check its site before you go.

Albuquerque Small Claims Court

Where and how to file

Good to know here

Sources

Keep going

Have a dispute in Albuquerque?