New Mexico Statutes 1978, § 47-6-9A(17), requires
counties to enact regulations for recording all conveyances of parcels
with the County Clerk. As defined in the Act, the term "parcel" means
a unit of land capable of being described by location and boundaries
and not dedicated for public or common use.
Recording conveyances of parcels provides anyone interested
in acquiring land, and lenders, with important information about the
condition of title. Recording conveyances of all parcels also provides
public officials with information needed to detect illegal subdividing.
The purpose of this information is to protect buyers and lenders and
to help enforce the Act and these regulations by making all conveyances
of parcels matters of public record.
Any person who sells, leases for a term, including options in
excess of five years, or otherwise conveys any interest in any parcel
located in whole or in part in the County shall record or have recorded
the deed, lease, real estate contract, notice of lease, notice of
real estate contract, or other document of conveyance with the County
Clerk no later than five days after the closing or 30 days after the
date on which the document is signed, whichever comes first. Deeds
held in escrow pursuant to the terms of a real estate contract are
not required to meet the recording deadlines as set out in this section.
Any deed, lease for a term, including options in excess of five
years, real estate contract, notice of lease, notice of real estate
contract, or other document used to convey any interest in any parcel
located in whole or in part in the County shall be in a form acceptable
for recording and duly acknowledged and certified as required by the
provisions of NMSA 1978, § 14-8-4.
