Complete mechanics lien deadlines for all 50 states plus DC, with statutory citations and source links. Know when to send your preliminary notice, file your lien, and enforce it. CC BY 4.0 — free to use and cite. Reconciled 2026-08-14
Download CSV (all 51 jurisdictions, with citations)| State | Preliminary Notice | Lien Filing Deadline | Enforcement Deadline | Statute (source) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not required | 6 months | 6 months | Ala. Code § 35-11-210 et seq. | Balance lien only for unpaid portion |
| Alaska | 60 days from first furnishing | 120 days | 6 months | Alaska Stat. § 34.35.005 et seq. | Owner-occupied residential requires notice |
| Arizona | 20 days from first furnishing | 120 days | 6 months | A.R.S. § 33-981 et seq. | Preliminary 20-day notice is mandatory |
| Arkansas | Not required | 120 days | 15 months | Ark. Code § 18-44-101 et seq. | Residential requires 10-day pre-lien notice |
| California | 20 days from first furnishing | 90-120 days | 90 days | Cal. Civ. Code § 8000 et seq. | Strict preliminary notice requirement for all tiers |
| Colorado | 5 business days for mechanic's lien | 4 months | 6 months | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-22-101 et seq. | One notice covers all work |
| Connecticut | Not required | 90-120 days | 1 year | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 49-33 et seq. | Subcontractors must serve notice within 60 days |
| Delaware | 60 days from first furnishing | 180 days | 1 year | Del. Code tit. 6 § 2701 et seq. | Must file in Superior Court |
| Florida | 45 days from first furnishing | 90-120 days | 1 year | Fla. Stat. ch. 713 | Notice to Owner is strictly required for subcontractors |
| Georgia | Not required | 90-120 days | 365 days | O.C.G.A. § 44-14-361 et seq. | Material suppliers have same deadline as contractors |
| Hawaii | 45 days from first furnishing | 45 days | 3 months | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 507-41 et seq. | Notice of completion can shorten deadlines |
| Idaho | Not required | 90-120 days | 6 months | Idaho Code § 45-501 et seq. | Must include verified statement of amount due |
| Illinois | 90 days from last furnishing | 4 months | 2 years | 770 ILCS 60/1 et seq. | Original contractor: file within 4 months |
| Indiana | 60 days from first furnishing | 90-120 days | 1 year | Ind. Code § 32-28-3-1 et seq. | Residential pre-lien notice required |
| Iowa | 10 days before lien filing | 90-120 days | 2 years | Iowa Code § 572.1 et seq. | Owner may demand suit within 30 days |
| Kansas | Not required | 3 months residential | 1 year | K.S.A. § 60-1101 et seq. | Residential projects have shorter deadlines |
| Kentucky | Not required | 6 months | 1 year | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 376.010 et seq. | Must file statement of amount due |
| Louisiana | 30 days from registration | 60 days; 30 if NOO filed | 1 year | La. R.S. 9:4801 et seq. | Notice of termination shortens deadlines |
| Maine | Not required | 90-120 days | 120 days | 10 M.R.S. § 3251 et seq. | Must include sworn statement |
| Maryland | 120 days from last furnishing | 180 days | 1 year | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 9-101 et seq. | Notice of intention to claim lien required for subcontractors |
| Massachusetts | Not required | 90-120 days | 90 days | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 254 § 2 et seq. | Must record notice of contract for large projects |
| Michigan | Not required | 90-120 days | 1 year | Mich. Comp. Laws § 570.1101 et seq. | Residential requires notice of furnishing |
| Minnesota | 10 days before lien filing | 120 days | 1 year | Minn. Stat. ch. 514 | Pre-lien notice required for all tiers |
| Mississippi | Not required | 12 months commercial; 90 days residential | 1 year | Miss. Code § 85-7-181 et seq. | No preliminary notice required |
| Missouri | 5 months from last furnishing | 6 months | 6 months | Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 429 | Residential requires 10-day pre-lien notice |
| Montana | Not required | 90-120 days | 2 years | Mont. Code § 71-3-521 et seq. | Notice of right to claim lien required |
| Nebraska | 10 days before lien filing | 120 days | 2 years | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 52-121 et seq. | Must include verified itemized statement |
| Nevada | 30 days from first furnishing | 90-120 days | 6 months | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 108.221 et seq. | Notice of right to lien required for all |
| New Hampshire | Not required | 120 days | 120 days | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 447:1 et seq. | Must file attested account |
| New Jersey | By lien filing date | 90 days after last work (120 days for residential) | 1 year | N.J. Stat. § 2A:44A-1 et seq. | NOC filing can shorten deadlines |
| New Mexico | Not required | 120 days | 2 years | N.M. Stat. § 48-2-1 et seq. | Notice of claim of lien required |
| New York | Not required | 8 months commercial | 1 year | N.Y. Lien Law art. 2 | Residential: 4 months filing deadline |
| North Carolina | 30 days from first furnishing | 120 days | 180 days | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44A-1 et seq. | Notice of claim of lien on funds required |
| North Dakota | Not required | 90 days after last work | 3 years | N.D. Cent. Code § 35-27-01 et seq. | Must include itemized statement |
| Ohio | 21 days from first furnishing | 75 days; 60 residential | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.01 et seq. | Notice of furnishing required for all tiers |
| Oklahoma | Not required | 4 months | 1 year | Okla. Stat. tit. 42 § 141 et seq. | Pre-lien notice required for residential |
| Oregon | 8 days from first furnishing | 75 days | 120 days | Or. Rev. Stat. § 87.005 et seq. | Notice of right to lien required for all |
| Pennsylvania | 90 days from last furnishing | 6 months | 2 years | 49 Pa. Stat. § 1101 et seq. | Formal notice of intention to file required |
| Rhode Island | Not required | 200 days | 40 days after notice | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-1 et seq. | Must file notice of intention |
| South Carolina | 30 days from first furnishing | 90-120 days | 6 months | S.C. Code § 29-5-10 et seq. | Notice of furnishing required |
| South Dakota | Not required | 120 days | 1 year | S.D. Codified Laws § 44-9-1 et seq. | Must include verified itemized account |
| Tennessee | 60 days from last furnishing | 90-120 days | 1 year | Tenn. Code § 66-11-101 et seq. | Notice of nonpayment may be required |
| Texas | 15th of 3rd month | 15th day of 4th month after last work | 2 years residential | Tex. Prop. Code ch. 53 | Strict deadlines — miss by one day and lien is void |
| Utah | 20 days from first furnishing | 180 days | 180 days | Utah Code § 38-1a-101 et seq. | Notice of pre-lien required |
| Vermont | Not required | 180 days | 1 year | 9 V.S.A. § 1921 et seq. | Must file notice of lien |
| Virginia | 30 days from first furnishing | 90-120 days | 6 months | Va. Code § 43-1 et seq. | Must include memorandum of lien |
| Washington | 10 days from first furnishing | 90-120 days | 8 months | RCW ch. 60.04 | Notice to owner/customer is strictly required |
| District of Columbia | 45 days from first furnishing | 90 days after last work | 180 days after filing | D.C. Code § 40-301.01 et seq. | Notice of intent required |
| West Virginia | Not required | 100 days | 6 months | W. Va. Code § 38-2-1 et seq. | Notice of mechanics lien required |
| Wisconsin | 60 days from first furnishing | 6 months | 2 years | Wis. Stat. § 779.01 et seq. | Notice of intent to file lien required |
| Wyoming | Not required | 120 days | 180 days | Wyo. Stat. § 29-1-301 et seq. | Notice of intent to lien required |
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.
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