Your Guide to New Mexico Charitable Registration

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Charity registration is essential for nonprofit organizations to operate legally, build donor trust, and ensure compliance with state regulations.

In New Mexico, the responsibility of administering charity registrations falls under the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ), specifically the Attorney General’s Charities Unit. The NMDOJ oversees the registration process and annual reporting requirements, ensuring that charitable organizations adhere to state laws designed to protect donors and the public from fraudulent activities.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to New Mexico charitable registration, covering registration requirements, filing steps, and the annual renewal process. You’ll also discover how Harbor Compliance can be a great ally in making the registration process stress-free and smooth.

Which Organizations Are Required To Complete NM Charity Registration?

Charitable organizations that operate, exist, or solicit contributions in New Mexico must register with the NMDOJ unless exempt under the Charitable Solicitations Act.

These organizations typically include those recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or groups that present themselves to the public as serving a “charitable purpose,” which may include:

  • Social welfare
  • Philanthropic or humane objectives
  • Civic, patriotic, or public health activities
  • Scientific, educational, or environmental initiatives
  • Programs supporting law enforcement officers, firefighters, or others who protect public safety

Organization Exempt From New Mexico Charity Registration

Certain organizations are exempt from registration and annual reporting requirements under the Charitable Solicitations Act, including:

  • Religious organizations—Churches and groups or organizations formed for religious teaching, worship, or related activities. This also includes organizations primarily established to support or promote religious work, fellowship, or worship.
  • Educational institutions and auxiliary groups—Schools, colleges, or instructional institutions with a defined curriculum, student body, and faculty that conduct classes regularly. Auxiliary entities like parent-teacher organizations, booster clubs, and support groups tied to these institutions are also exempt, provided they promote the curriculum, students, faculty, facilities, or activities of the institution.

New Mexico Fundraising Registration Requirements

Before applying for charitable registration in New Mexico, ensure your organization meets all state requirements and review the available exemptions to see if you’re obligated to register. If you don’t fulfill the exemption criteria, complete these prerequisites:

  • Designate a registered agent in New Mexico to receive legal documents on behalf of your organization.
  • If your charity meets the state’s audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to include with your registration application.
  • Gather the following documents:
    • IRS Form 990
    • Audited financial statements (if applicable)
    • Articles of incorporation
    • Bylaws
    • IRS Determination letter
    • IRS Form 1023 (for organizations established after 1987)
    • List of officers and directors
    • Professional fundraising contracts
  • If your organization is based outside New Mexico and plans to operate in the state, you must obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state. This certificate must be no more than 30 days old at the time of filing for foreign qualification.

How To File For New Mexico Charitable Registration

To register your charitable organization in New Mexico, use the New Mexico Charitable Organization Registration Online System (NM-COROS) for online filing. Follow these steps to complete the process:

  1. Sign up for an account on NM-COROS and begin your registration with the New Mexico Attorney General—Charities Unit.
  2. Provide all required information and answer all application questions.
  3. Upload necessary documents.
  4. Certify and submit your application by agreeing to the statement on the Submit Registration page.

Renewing Your New Mexico Nonprofit Registration

To keep your registration active and maintain good standing with New Mexico’s charitable registration regulations, you must complete the annual financial filing through the NM-COROS. The renewal is due annually within six months after the end of your fiscal year.

To file for renewal, here’s what you need to know:

  • Filing requirements—Submit certified financial information for the relevant tax year by uploading electronic copies of your organization’s IRS tax forms for that year. If applicable, audited financial statements should also be included.
  • Financial requirements—If your organization’s revenue is under $50,000, you must submit the IRS 990 electronic postcard. If your total expenses exceed $750,000 (effective January 1, 2024), you need to conduct an independent audit and submit the audited financial report electronically.
  • Required attachments—Include a copy of IRS Form 990, audited accrual-basis financial statements (if applicable), a list of officers and directors, and professional fundraising contracts. Additionally, if there have been any amendments, you must provide the IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws.
  • Deadline extension—You can request a six-month extension through NM-COROS if more time is needed.
  • Penalties for late filing—A late filing will incur a $100 fee per year for each missed deadline. Charities that fail to renew on time, including those with approved extensions, must also submit updated entity formation and tax documents.

Checking Your New Mexico Charity Registration Status

You can easily access real-time updates about your charity registration status through the NM-COROS system. Here’s how you can access the information:

  1. Access your organization’s account through the NM-COROS online portal.
  2. At the bottom of the registration home page, you’ll find the status area, which displays a complete history of:
    • Due dates
    • Approved extensions
    • Delinquencies
    • Submittals for each tax year
  3. Once your organization submits a registration, a “registration submitted” entry will appear next to the relevant tax year. This entry includes an underlined registration number—click this link to generate a printable registration confirmation page for your records.
  4. Visit the required documents page to see the approval or rejection status of each uploaded document.

The Difficulties of Self-Registering a Charitable Organization

Registering a charitable organization in New Mexico can be tricky and time-consuming. It takes careful attention to meet all the requirements. Some common challenges include:

  • Filling out the right forms
  • Keeping up with annual renewals and deadlines
  • Maintaining accurate and updated records
  • Handling multi-state registrations, each with its own set of rules and requirements

Missing any of these steps can lead to serious problems, such as fines, loss of tax-exempt status, or even loss of the right to fundraise. It can also damage your reputation with donors and grantmakers.

A trusted service provider like Harbor Compliance can handle the process for you while ensuring your organization stays compliant and focuses on what matters most—your mission.

Enjoy Seamless New Mexico Charitable Registration With Harbor Compliance

Take the hassle out of charitable registration with Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service. With a proven track record of managing thousands of registrations each year, Harbor Compliance ensures your organization stays fully compliant—no missed deadlines, no costly mistakes.

While we take care of the filing, you can stay focused on what matters most—growing your impact through fundraising campaigns, grant applications, and donor outreach.

After acquiring Labyrinth, Inc., the largest provider of charitable registration services in the U.S., we now manage over 60% of registrations for organizations fundraising in at least 38 states. This acquisition brings unmatched expertise and efficiency to every filing.

With a dedicated registration specialist overseeing your filings, Harbor Compliance makes the entire process seamless. For added convenience, we also offer a Power of Attorney option—by choosing this option, you designate the signing of applications to us, letting us handle everything from start to finish.

In addition to charitable registrations, our customized solutions support professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-ventures, ensuring complete compliance across all areas. Our comprehensive services also include:

  • Registered Agent Service—We act as your registered agent, handling all legal correspondence and ensuring secure, timely delivery of important documents.
  • Foreign Qualification Service—Expanding to a new state? We manage the complete foreign qualification process, from securing certificates of good standing to obtaining final approvals.
  • Tax Exemption Assistance—Our experts guide your nonprofit through the process of obtaining state tax exemptions, minimizing administrative tasks and saving you time and resources.

How To Order Our Charitable Registration Service

Want personalized guidance on your state’s charitable registration requirements? Here’s how you can connect with our team and get started:

  1. Visit the Charitable Registration Service page.
  2. Input your details, including contact information, organization’s legal name, and business structure.
  3. Complete all the details and submit the form.

Looking to deepen your understanding of charitable registration and compliance? Download our free white papers:

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

Beyond charitable registration, we offer a wide range of services to help organizations meet legal requirements and maintain good standing with the state. Explore the complete list of our services in the table below:

Category Services
Document filing and retrieval Drop-off filing Articles of reinstatement Certificates of good standing Certificates of authority Certified copies
Licensing support General business licenses Industry-specific licenses, such as construction, engineering, and architecture
Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting BOI reporting Records Manager
Entity lifecycle management Name reservation DBA registration Amendments Initial and annual reports
Nonprofit formation Incorporation 501(c) tax exemption
Tax services Payroll tax registration Sales and use tax registration Employer Identification Number (EIN)

New Mexico Nonprofit Registration FAQs

Below, you can find answers to common questions about registering a charitable organization in New Mexico. For additional details, visit our Information Center.

If your charitable organization exists and operates in New Mexico, you must register it within 30 days of the formation, regardless of whether you begin soliciting immediately.

Generally, charities can only register online. However, exceptions may be granted for charities unable to file electronically due to disability or lack of electronic resources.

To request an exception, submit a letter explaining the reason along with an affidavit affirming the inability to file online. The New Mexico Department of Justice will review the request and may approve it if good cause is shown.

Foreign charities soliciting in New Mexico must register and, if required, obtain a certificate of good standing from their home state (dated within 30 days of filing).

Choose Harbor Compliance for Hassle-Free Charitable Registration

Charitable registration isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about staying on top of deadlines, managing continuous filings, and adapting to changing regulations. All of this can take up time and resources that could be better spent advancing your organization’s mission.

That’s where Harbor Compliance makes a difference. Opt for our Charitable Registration Service and let us handle the entire process for you—from initial filings and annual renewals to obtaining state tax exemptions—ensuring accuracy and timeliness every step of the way.

With a team of experienced specialists and efficient systems, we take the stress out of compliance so you can concentrate on fundraising and making an impact.

Want to know where your organization stands? Try our completely free Harbor Compliance Score™ for quick insights. You can also explore our full range of services by getting in touch with our team. Additionally, book a demo with us to see how our software simplifies compliance for your organization.

Interested in learning about registration requirements nationwide? Browse the table below for state-specific guides:

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Company Licenses

New Mexico Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses

New Mexico Charitable Gaming Licenses

Game Type:

Bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, and other games of chance.

Agency:New Mexico Gaming Control Board
Organization Age Requirement:

2 years of continuous existence in New Mexico immediately preceeding licensure.

Prize Limits:

The aggregate of prizes offered during a session of bingo should not exceed $2,500.

Initial Registration

Agency:New Mexico Gaming Control Board
Form:

New Mexico Bingo and Raffle Operator Application

Agency Fee:

$300

Registration Renewal

Agency:New Mexico Gaming Control Board
Form:

New Mexico Bingo and Raffle Operator Renewal Application

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Triennially

New Mexico Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

Agency:New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance
Law:

NM Stat. § 59A-1-16.1

Organization Age Requirement:

3 years of continuous existence immediately preceeding licensure.

Minimum Unrestricted Cash or Cash Equivalent Requirement:

$300,000

Initial Registration

Notes:

New Mexico charities must provide notice on the day they first enter into a charitable gift annuity agreement. Notices must identify the organization, certify that the organization is a charity and that the annuities issued are qualified charitable gift annuities, and be signed by an officer or director.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



New Mexico Charitable Organization Registration

Agency:New Mexico Attorney General - Charities Unit
Law:

New Mexico Statutes Ann. § 57-22-1 et seq.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Yes

Automatic Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions and organizations defined in Section 6-5A-1 NMSA 1978
  • Persons soliciting for an individual or group that has suffered a medical or other catastrophe if the individual or group is identified by name at the time of the solicitation, the purpose for the solicited contribution is clearly stated, and the gross contributions collected, without any deductions for or by the solicitor or any other person, are deposited directly to an account in the name of the individual or group in a local federally insured financial institution established for that sole purpose and solely used for the direct benefit of the named individual or group as beneficiary
Law:

NM Stat. § 57-22-4

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

2-3 weeks

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Notes:
  • The CFO (or another authorized officer) signs online. You will get immediate confirmation of receipt as you file online.
  • Some New Mexico counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in New Mexico.
  • If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in New Mexico.
  • If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.
  • If you will foreign qualify in New Mexico, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 30 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the New Mexico Secretary of State - Corporations Bureau.
  2. Create an NM-COROS account and complete the charitable organization registration through the New Mexico Attorney General - Charities Unit.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in New Mexico. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with the New Mexico Secretary of State - Corporations Bureau.
  3. Create an NM-COROS account and complete the charitable organization registration through the New Mexico Attorney General - Charities Unit.
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter
  • IRS form 1023 (if established after 1987)
  • List of officers and directors
  • Professional fundraising contracts

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:
  • Annually within 6 months after the close of your fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, renewal is due by June 30.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Due Date Extension:

Due dates can be extended for 6 months beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Penalties:
  • There is a $100 per year late fee for failing to file on time.
  • Charities who do not renew their registration by the due date or approved extension must submit updated copies of entity formation and tax documents
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited accrual basis financials (if applicable)
  • List of officers and directors
  • Professional fundraising contracts
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Reinstatement

Not required



Formal reinstatement is not required. Charities wishing to renew a lapsed registration should submit an initial filing with the financial documents for each year not registered. They must also pay the $100 per year late fee. 

Change of Fiscal Year

Filing Method:

Email Charity.Registrar@nmag.gov 

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

1-2 business days

Cancelation

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

To close out your registration, file final reporting documents as requested by the state. To close out your registration, all filings must be submitted up until the last day that solicitations took place in New Mexico. These must be submitted through the online portal. Once these documents have been received, you must email a notarized affidavit that includes the organization name, FEIN, and date of withdrawal. The email must be sent to charity.registrar@nmag.gov

New Mexico Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

Not required



Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in New Mexico.

New Mexico does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.

New Mexico Fundraising Counsel Registration

Not required



Fundraising Counsel licensure is not required on the State level in New Mexico.

New Mexico does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for fundraising counsels, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.

Professional fundraisers include any person that solicits or employs or directs other to solicit contributions from the public on behalf of a charitable organization in exchange for compensation and has custody or control of the contributions; provided that this person is not a director, officer, bona fide employee or salaried officer, volunteer, attorney, accountant or investment counselor of a charitable organization. *NOTE* The statutory definition of the term ‘contributions’ is very important in determining professional fundraiser vs. professional fundraising counsel status. Contribution does not only refer to money in this case. It means also “ the promise, grant or pledge of any money, credit or property of any kind…in response to a solicitation” So, even if someone makes a solicitation and takes a pledge, but the actual money is sent to another operation, he or she is still considered a professional fundraiser under New Mexico Statute and required to register and report as such.

New Mexico Professional Fundraiser Registration

Agency:New Mexico Attorney General - Charities Unit
Bond Requirements:

$25,000

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Fundraiser Registration Form

Filing Method:

Email to charity.registrar@nmdoj.gov

Agency Fee:

$0

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:

Intended written contract(s) between the professional fundraiser and the charitable organization on whose behalf the professional fundraiser intends to conduct a solicitation campaign, including all copies of solicitation materials, must be submitted with the application.

Required Attachments:
  • Name, title, residence, and business addresses of all officers, partners, agents, servants, employees, directors, and independent contractors
  • Individuals or officers of the organization who will have custody of the contributions
  • Individuals or officers of the organization who are responsible for the distribution of the contributions
  • Fundraising details, such as campaign length and dates and method of fundraising
  • Compensation and authority of the professional fundraiser including percentage going to the charity
  • A surety bond of $25,000
  • Certified Contracts --Intended written contract(s) between the professional fundraiser and the charitable organization on whose behalf the professional fundraiser intends to conduct a solicitation campaign, including all copies of solicitation materials. This contract must be certified by the charity.
  • If located out-of-state, a consent to service of process must be attached. Alternatively, the professional fundraiser may elect to maintain a registered agent in New Mexico and disclose the agent's name to the OAG.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Registration renewal is not required, however, professional fundraisers may be contacted by the Charities Unit to update their registration information periodically.

Contract Filing

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Contracts entered into by a professional fundraiser must be submitted prior to the commencement of the contract.

Notes:

There is no form, simply file a copy of the contract with the department.

Contract Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Changes to solicitation contracts must be submitted prior to the commencement of the contract.

Notes:

There is no form, simply file a copy of the amended contract with the department.

Individual Licenses

New Mexico Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

New Mexico Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration

Not required



Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in New Mexico.

Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in New Mexico.

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