As one of New Mexico’s core Sunshine Laws, IPRA provides public access to records held by governmental entities in New Mexico. An IPRA request is a request for access to existing public records under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1 et seq. IPRA generally allows members of the public to inspect public records and request copies, unless a record, or a portion of a record, is confidential or exempt from disclosure under state law. It is the responsibility of the City to make all non-exempt public records available for inspection.
Public Records Requests
The City Clerk’s Office processes requests for public records in accordance with the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA).
Requests may be submitted using the form below and must describe the records sought with reasonable detail.
Sunland Park City Hall
1000 McNutt Rd, Sunland Park, NM 88063
Common Questions
Do all requests result in records being released?
No. Some records, or portions of records, may be withheld or redacted as required by law. This can include legally protected information such as certain personnel information, attorney-client privileged information, confidential law enforcement information, and other exemptions recognized under New Mexico law. Submitting a request does not guarantee release of all records requested.
Do I need to be specific in my request?
Yes. Your request should describe the records you are seeking with reasonable detail so City staff can identify and locate them. Helpful details include a date range, department/program, address or location (if relevant), names involved (if applicable), and the specific type of record (emails, reports, invoices, permits, etc.). If the request is unclear or too broad, the City may contact you to clarify or narrow the request.
Is there a fee for records, and how do I pay?
Inspection of public records may be available at no cost. Fees may apply for copies or reproduction in accordance with City policy and applicable law. Applicable pricing for copies, USB drives, and other reproduction methods is listed in the fee schedule table above. Payment is due at pickup and must be made in person at the front reception desk at City Hall.
Fee Schedule
| PUBLIC RECORD | FEE |
|---|---|
| Photocopy of documents (letter size) | Black & white: $0.25 per page Color: $0.50 per page |
| Photocopy of documents (legal size) | Black & white: $0.75 per page Color: $1.00 per page |
| USB drive (provided by the City of Sunland Park) |
8 GB: $7.00 16 GB: $14.00 32 GB: $20.00 |
| Records transmitted electronically (by request) |
No Fee |
Will the City create new records for my request?
The Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) does not require public bodies to respond to questions, compile data, or create new records. Only records that already exist at the time a request is received are subject to disclosure; requests for future records, often called standing or rolling requests, are not permitted.
IPRA governs access to public records but does not regulate how records are retained or destroyed. While failure to retain records may violate other state record-keeping laws, it does not constitute a violation of IPRA itself.
IPRA is similar to, but distinct from, the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which applies to records held by federal agencies.