Construction Lien Law Deadlines by State (2026)

Complete mechanics lien deadlines for all 50 states plus DC. Know when to send your preliminary notice, file your lien, and enforce it — before the deadline passes. CC BY 4.0 — free to use and cite.

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⚠️ Not legal advice. Lien deadlines are statutory and change over time. Verify current statutes in your jurisdiction. Missing a deadline by one day can void your lien rights. This data is for educational and reference purposes.
StatePreliminary NoticeLien Filing DeadlineEnforcement DeadlineKey Notes
AlabamaNot required (residential)6 months after last work6 months after filingBalance lien only
Alaska15 days after first work120 days after last work6 months after filingOwner-occupied requires notice
Arizona20 days after first work120 days after completion6 months after filing20-day notice mandatory for all
Arkansas75 days after last work (residential)120 days after last work15 months after filingResidential 10-day pre-lien
California20 days after first work90 days after completion90 days after filingStrict notice for all tiers
ColoradoNot required4 months after last work6 months after filingOne notice covers all work
ConnecticutNot required (GC)90 days after last work1 year after filingSubs: 60-day notice
DelawareNot required180 days after last work1 year after filingSuperior Court filing
Florida45 days after first work (NTO)90 days after last work1 year after filingNTO strictly required for subs
GeorgiaNot required90 days after last work365 days after filingMaterial suppliers same deadline
HawaiiNot required45 days after last work3 months after filingNOC can shorten deadlines
IdahoNot required90 days after last work6 months after filingVerified statement required
Illinois60 days after last work (subs)4 months after last work2 years after filingGC: 4 months to file
Indiana30 days after first work (residential)90 days after last work1 year after filingResidential pre-lien notice
IowaNot required90 days after last work2 years after filingOwner may demand suit in 30d
KansasNot required4 months after last work1 year after filingResidential: 3 months
Kentucky75 days after last work (residential)6 months after last work1 year after filingStatement of amount due
LouisianaNot required60 days after last work1 year after filing30 days if NOO filed
MaineNot required90 days after last work120 days after filingSworn statement required
Maryland120 days after last work (residential)180 days after last work1 year after filingNotice of intention for subs
MassachusettsNot required90 days after last work90 days after filingNotice of contract for large jobs
Michigan20 days after first work (residential)90 days after last work1 year after filingNotice of furnishing required
Minnesota45 days after first work (residential)120 days after last work1 year after filingPre-lien notice all tiers
MississippiNot required12 months after last work1 year after filingResidential: 90 days
Missouri5 days before filing (residential)6 months after last work6 months after filing10-day pre-lien notice
Montana20 days after first work (residential)90 days after last work2 years after filingNotice of right to lien
NebraskaNot required120 days after last work2 years after filingItemized verified statement
Nevada45 days after first work (residential)90 days after last work6 months after filingNotice of right required for all
New HampshireNot required120 days after last work120 days after filingAttested account required
New Jersey60 days after last work (residential)90 days after last work1 year after filingNOC shortens deadlines
New Mexico60 days after first work (commercial)120 days after last work2 years after filingNotice of claim required
New YorkNot required (commercial)8 months after last work1 year after filingResidential: 4 months
North Carolina15 days after first work (subs)120 days after last work180 days after filingNotice of claim on funds
North DakotaNot required90 days after last work3 years after filingItemized statement
Ohio21 days after first work (residential)75 days after last work6 years after filingNotice of furnishing for all
Oklahoma75 days after last work (residential)4 months after last work1 year after filingPre-lien notice residential
Oregon8 days before first work (residential)75 days after last work120 days after filingNotice of right for all
Pennsylvania30 days after first work (subs)6 months after last work2 years after filingFormal notice of intention
Rhode IslandNot required200 days after last work40 days after noticeNotice of intention required
South Carolina15 days before first work (residential)90 days after last work6 months after filingNotice of furnishing
South DakotaNot required120 days after last work1 year after filingVerified itemized account
TennesseeNot required90 days after last work1 year after filingNotice of nonpayment possible
Texas15th day of 2nd month after work (residential)15th day of 4th month after last work1 year after filingStrict deadlines — 1 day late = void
Utah20 days after first work180 days after contract completion180 days after filingNotice of pre-lien required
VermontNot required180 days after last work1 year after filingNotice of lien required
Virginia30 days after first work (residential)90 days after last work6 months after filingMemorandum of lien
Washington10 days before first work (residential)90 days after last work8 months after filingNotice to owner strictly required
West VirginiaNot required100 days after last work6 months after filingNotice of lien
Wisconsin60 days after first work (residential)6 months after last work2 years after filingNotice of intent required
Wyoming30 days after first work (commercial)120 days after last work180 days after filingNotice of intent required
District of ColumbiaNot required90 days after last work180 days after filingNotice of intent required
Cite this data:
VoiceLogPro (voicelogpro.com). "Construction Lien Law Deadlines by State," 2026. CC BY 4.0.
CSV: lien-law-deadlines-2026.csv

Why This Data Matters

Missing a mechanics lien deadline by one day can void your right to payment. A subcontractor who finishes work in Texas has until the 15th day of the 4th month to file — not the 16th. In California, failing to serve a 20-day preliminary notice means you lose lien rights entirely. This reference exists so you never miss a deadline.

How VoiceLogPro Protects Your Lien Rights

Every VoiceLogPro daily report includes an automatic timestamp, weather data, and geotagged photos — the contemporaneous evidence courts require for lien claims. Record your daily report by voice in 30 seconds, and VoiceLogPro creates the court-ready PDF that proves labor and materials were furnished. Start documenting →