Alabama Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for an Alabama construction lien, drawn from Ala. Code §§ 35-11-213, 35-11-215, 35-11-218, 35-11-221 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Alabama lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Not required to preserve lien rights
- Lien filing deadline
- within 6 months after last furnishing labor or materials (varies by role)
- Notarization
- Required
- The lien claim must be sworn to under oath
- Where to record
- Office of the judge of probate in the county where the property is located
- E-recording
- Varies by county
- Ask the recording office whether it accepts electronic recording before you rely on it.
Who can file a mechanics lien in Alabama
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Alabama.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Alabama |
|---|---|
| General contractor (direct contract with the owner) | Yes |
| Subcontractor (hired by the general contractor) | Yes |
| Sub-subcontractor (hired by a subcontractor) | Yes |
| Material supplier to the owner | Yes |
| Material supplier to the general contractor | Yes |
| Material supplier to a subcontractor | Yes |
Alabama mechanics lien deadlines
Not required to preserve lien rights. Alabama requires a notice of intent to lien before the lien itself is recorded.
Calculate your Alabama deadlines
Enter your role and project dates to turn the rules below into calendar dates. For other states, use the mechanics lien deadline calculator.
Choose your role to see which dates you need.
Your deadlines
| Document | Who | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Passed |
liens are filed through the courts by an attorney. Get matched with a lien attorney.
We can prepare and record the lien for you before the deadline. Start your lien.
These dates come from the same rules our lien filing service uses. They are not moved for weekends or holidays. Deadlines turn on facts specific to your project. Confirm with counsel before relying on them.
Notice of intent to lien
The final warning before a lien is recorded.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| All claimants | All projects | Before filing the lien |
Mechanics lien filing deadline
The last day the lien can be recorded against the property.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| General contractors | All projects | Within 6 months after last furnishing labor or materials |
| Subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers to the owner, suppliers to the general contractor, and suppliers to a subcontractor | All projects | Within 4 months after last furnishing labor or materials |
Recording and enforcing an Alabama lien
Recording the lien
Record with the office of the judge of probate in the county where the property is located. Whether electronic recording is accepted varies by county, so confirm with the recording office and build mailing time into the deadline. The lien must be notarized. The lien claim must be sworn to under oath.
After recording
Alabama does not require a separate notice after the lien is recorded, though most claimants send one anyway to prompt payment.
Wrongful lien exposure
We found no dedicated wrongful-lien penalty in Alabama's lien statute. An owner can still ask a court to remove an inflated or baseless lien, so claim only what you are owed.
Practitioner notes for Alabama
Alabama gives a lien to those who improve real property, but the filing deadline depends on your role. An original contractor (one who contracts with the owner) must file a verified statement of lien within six months after last furnishing labor or materials. Journeymen and day laborers have 30 days, and everyone else, including subcontractors and suppliers, has four months (Ala. Code § 35-11-215). If you miss the deadline, the lien is "deemed lost." The statement must be sworn under oath and filed in the office of the judge of probate in the county where the property sits (Ala. Code § 35-11-213). If you did not contract with the owner, you must give the owner written notice of your lien claim before you file. The notice states the amount, what it is for, and who owes it (Ala. Code § 35-11-218). A supplier who notified the owner in advance under Ala. Code § 35-11-210 is treated differently. A suit to enforce the lien must be started within six months after the entire debt becomes due (Ala. Code § 35-11-221). The statute does not tie that date to a single event, so confirm with counsel when your six months begins. Once you are paid, acknowledge satisfaction of the lien promptly when asked. A lienholder who fails to do so within 30 days after written demand can owe damages (Ala. Code § 35-11-231).
These notes summarize the statute as we read it.
Statutory sources: Ala. Code §§ 35-11-213, 35-11-215, 35-11-218, 35-11-221. Read the Alabama lien statute. Deadlines turn on facts specific to your project. Confirm with counsel before relying on them.
File your Alabama mechanics lien
We calculate the Alabama deadlines from your project dates, prepare the lien on the correct form, and handle recording. Self-serve from $99, or full service with recording and notices handled for you from $299.
Alabama mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Alabama?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Alabama?
Does an Alabama mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Alabama?
Is a notice of intent to lien required in Alabama?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Alabama?
More Alabama lien tools
This page summarizes Alabama lien law for general information and is not legal advice. Deadlines depend on your role, project type, and dates; confirm them against the statute or with counsel before relying on them.