New Mexico Statutes Chapter 72. Water Law § 72-5-22. Transfer of water rights

Any permit or license to appropriate water may be assigned, but no such assignment shall be binding, except upon the parties thereto, unless filed for record in the office of the state engineer. The evidence of the right to use water from any works constructed by the United States, or its duly authorized agencies, shall in like manner be filed in the office of the state engineer, upon assignment; provided, that no right to appropriate water, except water for storage reservoirs, for irrigation purposes shall be assigned, or the ownership thereof in anywise transformed, apart from the land to which it is appurtenant, except in the manner specially provided by law: provided, further, that the transfer of title of land in any manner whatsoever shall carry with it all rights to the use of water appurtenant thereto for irrigation purposes, unless previously alienated in the manner provided by law.