New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 7 - HEALTH
Chapter 2 - VITAL STATISTICS
Part 2 - VITAL RECORDS AND STATISTICS
Section 7.2.2.19 - RECORD PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION

When an authorized reproduction of a vital record has been properly prepared by the state registrar and when all steps have been taken to ensure the continued preservation of the information, the record from which the authorized reproduction was made may be disposed of by the state registrar. The record may not be disposed of, however, until the quality of the authorized reproduction has been tested to ensure that acceptable certified copies can be issued and until a security copy of the document has been placed in a secure location removed from the building where the authorized reproduction is housed. When no longer required for administrative use, the state registrar shall offer the original documents from which the authorized reproductions are made to the state records center and archives which shall be allowed to permanently retain the records pursuant to the restrictions in the vital statistics law and regulations related to access to such records. If the state records center and archives does not wish to place the records in its files the state registrar shall be authorized to destroy the documents upon receipt of written permission from state records and archives. The destruction shall be by approved methods for disposition of confidential or sensitive documents.