How long to file a lien, by state
One-line answers from each state's statute. Notice deadlines before the lien depend on who hired you; each calculator asks.
Florida
Record a claim of lien within 90 days after the last day you furnish labor or materials, and serve it on the owner within 15 days of recording.
Open the Florida calculator · Florida Notice to Owner deadline: 45 days
Texas
For original contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2022: a subcontractor or supplier files the lien affidavit by the 15th day of the 4th month after the month of the last labor or materials (3rd month on residential). The original contractor files by the 15th day of the 4th month after the month its work was completed, terminated, or abandoned (3rd month on residential).
Open the Texas calculator · Texas lien notice deadline: the 15th of which month?
California
On private jobs, a direct contractor records the claim of lien before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 60 days after a recorded notice of completion or cessation. Everyone else records before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 30 days after that notice.
Cal. Civ. Code § 8412 · Cal. Civ. Code § 8414
Open the California calculator · California 20-day preliminary notice deadline
New York
File the notice of lien with the county clerk within 8 months after the completion of the contract or the last item of work or materials, or within 4 months for a single-family dwelling.
North Carolina
File the claim of lien on real property with the clerk of superior court no later than 120 days after the last furnishing of labor or materials at the site.
Open the North Carolina calculator · North Carolina Notice to Lien Agent: 15 days
Pennsylvania
File the claim with the prothonotary within 6 months after completion of your work.
Mechanics' Lien Law of 1963, § 502(a)(1)
Open the Pennsylvania calculator · Pennsylvania Notice of Furnishing and notice of intent
Ohio
File the lien affidavit with the county recorder within 60 days after your last labor or materials for a one- or two-family dwelling or residential condo unit, and within 75 days for other property.
Open the Ohio calculator · Ohio notice of furnishing: 21 days
Michigan
Record the claim of lien with the register of deeds within 90 days after your last labor or materials.
Open the Michigan calculator · Michigan notice of furnishing: 20 days
Virginia
Record the memorandum of lien no later than 90 days from the last day of the month of your last labor or materials, and no later than 90 days after the building is completed or the work otherwise ends.
Open the Virginia calculator · Virginia mechanics' lien agent notice: 30 days
New Jersey
Lodge the lien claim with the county clerk within 90 days after your last work or materials. On a residential job, within 10 days after the arbitrator's decision and within 120 days after the last work.
Open the New Jersey calculator · New Jersey Notice of Unpaid Balance and 90-day lien claim
Massachusetts
Record the notice of contract by the earliest of 60 days after a recorded notice of substantial completion, 90 days after a recorded notice of termination, or 90 days after the last labor or materials. The statement of account is due by the earliest of 90, 120, or 120 days after those same events.
G.L. c. 254, § 2 · G.L. c. 254, § 4 · G.L. c. 254, § 8
Open the Massachusetts calculator · Massachusetts notice of identification and notice of contract
Missouri
File the lien with the circuit clerk within 6 months after the debt accrued. Anyone other than the original contractor gives the owner 10 days' notice before filing.
RSMo § 429.080 · RSMo § 429.100
Open the Missouri calculator · Missouri Notice to Owner, 10-day notice, and 6-month lien
Arizona
Record the lien within 120 days after completion, or 60 days after a recorded notice of completion.
Open the Arizona calculator · Arizona preliminary 20-day notice deadline
Maryland
File a petition to establish the lien in circuit court within 180 days after the work is finished or materials furnished. A subcontractor also gives the owner written notice of intention within 120 days.
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 9-105(a) · Md. Code, Real Prop. § 9-104(a)
Open the Maryland calculator · Maryland notice of intent to claim a lien: 120 days
Other states are not covered yet, and Job Clock will not guess their dates. All states
What someone pays for
The dates are free. The paid plan adds an email and a text, in English or Spanish, before the dates on this card, for $29 a month for one company. It covers FL, TX, CA, NY, NC, PA, OH, MI, VA, NJ, MA, MO, AZ, MD jobs and your Papers Clock dates. Only a person who asks for the reminders gets them, and texts go only to people who opt in.
You can cancel any time before the next monthly charge. Job Clock does not take card numbers on this page, does not file papers, does not mail notices, does not pull permits, and does not give legal advice. Paying does not mean a lien will hold or that you will get paid.
After you pay, Stripe sends you to a short form for the job address, the county, the dates on this card, and English or Spanish. That is how the reminders get set. Or email david.dukes77102@gmail.com.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change. Check the current statute or ask a construction attorney in that state before you rely on a date. Job Clock does not file liens, mail notices, pull permits, or give legal advice.