Public Information Requests

The Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, §14-2-1 to – 12, is a New Mexico state law that provides the public access to public records. The law requires open access to almost all public records in state and local government, with a few exceptions.

The Attorney General has the statutory authority to enforce IPRA, as do district attorneys.

14-2-8. PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING RECORDS

1. Any person wishing to inspect public records maintained by the City of Belen may submit an oral or written request to the custodian.  However, the procedures set forth in this section shall be in response to a written request.  The failure to respond to an oral request shall not subject the custodian to any penalty.
2. Nothing in the Inspection of Public Records Act shall be construed to require a public body to create a public record.
3. A written request shall provide the name, address and telephone number of the person seeking access to the records and shall identify the records sought with reasonable particularity.  No person requesting records shall be required to state the reason for inspecting the records.

Copies of records may be given to a person who has requested inspection. Reasonable fees may be charged. Advance payment of fees may be required before copies are made.

Please fill out the online IPRA request form and submit it or download and fill out a printed form to the Office of the City Clerk, Dorothy Flores, City of Belen 100 S. Main St. Belen, NM 87002 via walk-in or regular mail. E-mail requests may be made to the following address: Dorothy.Flores@belen-nm.gov.

*Note - The City of Belen offers digital electronic records, when available. Paper documents are still available at .50 cents a copy. Citizens have the choice of whether they would prefer paper or electronic records. Some are available for FREE on this website. Agencies are not required to create electronic documents to fulfill a request if the electronic records do not already exist.