Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Santa Fe, NM

Complete permit and license guide for starting a daycare / child care center in Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico.

Updated 2026-03-15 6 stops $500–$2,000 est. 8–16 weeks to obtain all licenses and pass inspections
Get my personalized route — $14.99

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of New Mexico

2 stops

  1. New Mexico Taxation and Revenue — Gross Receipts Tax Registration

    New Mexico uses a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) instead of a traditional sales tax. The state rate is 5%, with local rates bringing totals to 6–9%. All businesses must register with the NM Taxation and Revenue Department before conducting business.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via Taxpayer Access Point)

  2. New Mexico Background Check Requirement

    All staff, volunteers, and household members (for family daycares) in New Mexico child care facilities must undergo criminal background checks through the state and FBI.

    Official government source

    $25–$75 per person1–4 weeks

City of Santa Fe / Santa Fe County

3 stops

  1. New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department — Child Care License

    Child care facilities in New Mexico must be licensed by CYFD. Requires background checks, health and fire safety inspections, and staff-to-child ratio compliance.

    Official government source

    $50–$1506–12 weeks

  2. City of Santa Fe City Clerk — Business License

    Santa Fe requires a City Business Registration for all businesses operating within city limits. Certain regulated businesses require additional permits. This license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

    Official government source

    $50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues1–3 weeks

  3. Santa Fe County / Santa Fe Building and Fire Safety Inspection

    Child care centers must pass building inspections for safety, ADA accessibility, fire suppression, and appropriate child-proofing standards.

    Official government source

    $100–$3002–6 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$2,000 · 8–16 weeks to obtain all licenses and pass inspections

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides