Inspection of Public Records (IPRA)

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Requests to Inspect Public Records

Under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, Sections 14-2-1 through 14-2-12, every person has the right to inspect public records of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), subject to certain exceptions and provisions. IPRA requests to inspect the NMDOT’s public records should be submitted to the NMDOT Records Custodian.

Requests should be submitted electronically to IPRA.Requests@dot.nm.gov, or through the IPRA submission form:

IPRA Submission Form – Click here.

Requests may also be submitted in person, at 1350 Alta Vista, South Building 5, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, or by mail to:

NMDOT Records Custodian SB-5
P.O. Box 1149
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1149

Should you have any questions concerning requests to inspect public records, you may reach the Records Custodian at the email address above, or by phone or fax:

Telephone number 505-469-0724
Fax number 505-827-0662

Inspection of Public Records General Information

A person may submit a request to inspect public records to the Records Custodian orally or in writing.  However, the NMDOT recommends requests be written, which includes electronic communications and facsimiles.  A written request must contain the name, address and telephone number of the person making the request. The request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable the Records Custodian to identify and locate the requested records.

The Records Custodian will permit the inspection immediately or as soon as practicable, but no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the Records Custodian receives the written request, provided the request is not excessively burdensome or broad, the request concerns records for which certain exceptions apply, or concerns records not in the possession or responsibility of the NMDOT. If inspection is not permitted within three (3) business days of receipt of a written request, the person making the request will receive a written response explaining when the records will be available for inspection or when the public body will respond to the request. For requests that are excessively burdensome or broad, the Records Custodian will provide written notification to the requesting party within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the request in the event additional time is needed to respond to the request. If any of the records sought are not available for public inspection, the person making the written request will receive a written response from the Records Custodian explaining the reasons inspection has been denied. Unless a written request is excessively burdensome or broad, the written denial shall be delivered or mailed within fifteen (15) calendar days after the Records Custodian received the written request.

If a person requesting inspection would like a copy of public records, a reasonable fee may be charged. The fee for documents eleven inches by seventeen inches or smaller is $.25 per page. The fee for larger documents is $1.00 per page. For records other than documents stored on other media, i.e. photographs, tape recordings, computer tapes or discs, fees will not exceed the current supplies cost required to reproduce the public record on like media if so requested. A receipt indicating that the fees have been paid for making copies of public records will be provided upon request to the person requesting the copies.

Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) Compliance Guide

Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) Compliance Guide – Click here

The IPRA Compliance Guide is aimed to inform the public, state and local government agencies, and all other public bodies subject to IPRA about IPRA’s requirements and application. The Attorney General has the statutory authority to enforce IPRA, as do district attorneys.  If you have questions pertaining to IPRA, you may contact the Open Government Division of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General at 505-490-4060.