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Rule 1-005.1.Service and filing of pleadings and other papers by facsimile

Last amended January 3, 2005 · Last verified June 26, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1-005.1 lets parties file and serve papers by fax under set conditions, treating a faxed copy as equivalent to any other filing.

Full Text of Rule 1-005.1

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A. Facsimile copies permitted to be filed. Subject to the provisions of this rule, a party may file a facsimile copy of any pleading or paper by faxing a copy directly to the court or by faxing a copy to an intermediary agent who files it in person with the court. A facsimile copy of a pleading or paper has the same effect as any other filing for all procedural and statutory purposes. The filing of pleadings and other papers with the court by facsimile copy shall be made by faxing them to the clerk of the court at a number designated by the clerk, except if the paper or pleading is to be filed directly with the judge, the judge may permit the papers to be faxed to a number designated by the judge, in which event the judge shall note thereon the filing date and forthwith transmit them to the office of the clerk. Each judicial district shall designate one or more telephone numbers to receive fax filings.
B. Facsimile service by court of notices, orders or writs. Facsimile service may be used by the court for issuance of any notice, order or writ. The clerk shall note the date and time of successful transmission on the file copy of the notice, order or writ.
C. Paper size and quality. No facsimile copy shall be filed with the court unless it is on plain paper and substantially satisfies all of the requirements of Rule 1-100 NMRA.
D. Filing pleadings or papers by facsimile. A pleading or paper may be filed with the court by facsimile transmission if:
(1) a fee is not required to file the pleading or paper;
(2) only one copy of the pleading or paper is required to be filed;
(3) unless otherwise approved by the court, the pleading or paper is not more than ten (10) pages in length excluding the facsimile cover page; and
(4) the pleading or paper to be filed is preceded by a cover sheet with the names of the sender and the intended recipient, any applicable instructions, the voice and facsimile telephone numbers of the sender, an identification of the case, the docket number and the number of pages transmitted.
E. Facsimile copy filed by an intermediary agent. Facsimile copies of pleadings or papers filed in person by an intermediary agent are not subject to the restrictions of Paragraph D of this rule.
F. Time of filing. If facsimile transmission of a pleading or paper is begun before the close of the business day of the court in which it is being filed, it will be considered filed on that date. If facsimile transmission is begun after the close of business, the pleading or paper will be considered filed on the next court business day. For any questions of timeliness, the time and date affixed on the cover page by the court's facsimile machine will be determinative.
G. Service by facsimile. Any document required to be served by Paragraph A of Rule 1-005 NMRA may be served on a party or attorney by facsimile transmission if the party or attorney has:
(1) listed a facsimile telephone number on a pleading or paper filed with the court in the action;
(2) a letterhead with a facsimile telephone number; or
(3) agreed to be served with a copy of the pleading or paper by facsimile transmission. Service by facsimile is accomplished when the transmission of the pleading or paper is completed.
H. Demand for original. A party shall have the right to inspect and copy any pleading or paper that has been filed or served by facsimile transmission if the pleading or paper has a statement signed under oath or affirmation or penalty of perjury.
I. Conformed copies. Upon request of a party, the clerk shall stamp additional copies provided by the party of any pleading filed by facsimile transmission.
End

Rule History

[Approved, effective January 1, 1999; as amended, effective August 1, 2000; January 3, 2005.]

Plain-English Summary

This rule makes the fax a usable filing channel. A party may file a faxed copy of a pleading or paper by sending it to the clerk at a designated number, and a faxed filing has the same effect as any other for procedural and statutory purposes. The court may also use fax to issue notices, orders, and writs, noting the time of transmission.

The rule sets practical limits. Fax filing is available when no fee is required, only one copy must be filed, and—unless the court approves more—the paper runs no more than ten pages plus a cover sheet identifying the case and the sender. A paper whose fax transmission begins before the court’s close of business counts as filed that day; otherwise it is filed the next business day. Papers may also be served by fax on a party or attorney who has listed a fax number, uses fax letterhead, or has agreed to fax service, with service complete when transmission finishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the limits on filing a paper by fax?

No filing fee can be required, only one copy is needed, and the paper generally must be ten pages or fewer (excluding the cover sheet) unless the court approves more.

When is a faxed filing considered filed?

If transmission begins before the court closes for the day, it is filed that day; if it begins after close of business, it is filed on the next court business day.

Source & verification. Rule text and Committee commentary reproduced verbatim from the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts (Rule 1-005.1 NMRA), published by the New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of New Mexico. The plain-English summary is original and draws on the official annotations. Last verified June 26, 2026. · Official source
Also known as: fax filingfacsimile filingservice by fax