Albuquerque Small Claims Court: Filing at Metropolitan Court

Albuquerque Uses Metropolitan Court, Not Magistrate Court

For civil claims filed in Bernalillo County, the appropriate limited-jurisdiction court is the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court — not a Magistrate Court. The court's filing guide says the action must have happened in Bernalillo County, the defendant must be served in New Mexico, and either the plaintiff or defendant must live in Bernalillo County. The court follows a different set of procedural rules (NMRA Set 3 instead of Set 2).

The practical differences matter: Metropolitan Court is a court of record for civil cases other than actions under the Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act (UORRA); all civil cases are audio-recorded. For other civil cases, file a notice of appeal with Metropolitan Court within 30 days from entry of the final order or judgment for review by the Court of Appeals. UORRA landlord-tenant cases are appealed to District Court for a new trial within 15 days of entry of the judgment or final order.

Metropolitan Court Location and Contact

Address: 401 Lomas Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM

Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Self-Help Center hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Self-Help Center: Room 210, second floor, same address. Phone: 505-841-9817. Staff help self-represented litigants understand forms and court procedures, but they cannot give legal advice or decide what information belongs in your claim.

Customer Service: 505-841-8151.

Filing options:

• In person at the civil clerk's window
• By mail
• By email: [email protected]
• By fax: 505-222-4831

Metro says email and fax may be used for motions and other pleadings; its civil lawsuit pamphlet directs people filing a new complaint to Customer Service. Most Magistrate Courts in other counties require in-person or mail filing for self-represented litigants.

Filing Your Case

The process follows the same structure as any New Mexico small claims case, with Metropolitan-specific details:

1. Complete Form 4-202 (Civil Complaint — Metropolitan Court). This is the Bernalillo County version of the complaint form. State the parties, the amount claimed (up to $10,000), and a brief description of the facts.

2. Prepare Form 4-204 (Civil Summons). Filed with the complaint.

3. Pay the $77 filing fee. Cash, check, or card accepted. Cards carry a 2.25% surcharge. If you can't afford the fee, submit an Application for Free Process.

4. The clerk dockets the case and returns a signed summons for you to serve on the defendant.

5. Serve the defendant through a sheriff, private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. The defendant has 20 calendar days after service to file an answer.

The Self-Help Center

The Metropolitan Court Self-Help Center is one of the more accessible self-help resources in the state. Staff can:

• Explain which forms you need
• Walk you through the filing process
• Help you understand court deadlines and procedures
• Point you toward free legal aid resources

They can provide procedural help and scribing services using your words, but they cannot give legal advice or tell you what to put in a form. If you need actual legal advice and can't afford an attorney, the center can refer you to New Mexico Legal Aid (1-833-LGL-HELP) or the UNM School of Law Clinical Program (505-277-5265).

What to Expect at Your Hearing

Metropolitan Court hearings are held in the main courthouse. The judge calls your case, and both sides present their evidence and testimony. All civil cases, including UORRA landlord-tenant actions, are audio-recorded.

Bring the original plus at least three clean copies of every exhibit — one set for the judge, one for the defendant, one for witnesses, and one for yourself. Present your evidence in organized order: contract or agreement first, then the demand letter and proof of mailing, then supporting documents (photos, receipts, estimates, communications).

Unless the judge orders otherwise, serve your witness list and exhibit list on the defendant at least 20 days before trial (15 days for the defendant's disclosure to you). Missing this deadline can result in excluded evidence.

Albuquerque-Specific Considerations

Bernalillo County is the most populated county in New Mexico, so Metropolitan Court handles a heavy civil docket. The court sets the hearing date after the defendant files an answer. If the defendant does not answer within 20 calendar days of service, you may request a default judgment.

Mediation is common. The court frequently refers civil cases to pretrial mediation under NMSA § 34-8A-10. If mediation reaches a settlement, you skip the hearing entirely and get a binding stipulated agreement.

Get the Full Filing Roadmap

The New Mexico small claims filing guide covers every step of filing at Metropolitan Court or any Magistrate Court in the state — from demand letter through hearing preparation, with a court-and-form router to make sure you start in the right place.

See more New Mexico guides →