Alabama Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a 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
- County recorder where the property sits
- E-recording
- Not generally available; plan on paper recording
- Enforcement deadline
- Within 6 months after the contract date
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.
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 a Alabama lien
Recording the lien
Record with the county recorder where the property sits. Electronic recording is not generally available, so 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. To keep the lien alive it must be enforced by lawsuit within 6 months after the contract date.
Wrongful lien exposure
Alabama has no dedicated wrongful-lien penalty statute, but an inflated or baseless lien can still be challenged and removed at the claimant's expense.
Practitioner notes for Alabama
Filing deadline: original contractor 6 months; others 4 months after last furnishing (Ala. Code §35-11-215). Non-original contractors must give written notice of lien claim to owner BEFORE filing statement (Ala. Code §35-11-218). Verified statement is filed in probate office (judge of probate) and must be sworn (Ala. Code §35-11-213). Enforcement suit due within 6 months after maturity of the debt (Ala. Code §35-11-221) — trigger here uses contract_date as proxy; laborer 30-day filing category not modeled in this sheet.
Statutory sources: Ala. Code §§ 35-11-213, 35-11-215, 35-11-218, 35-11-221. Read the Alabama lien statute.
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 a Alabama mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Alabama?
How long is a Alabama mechanics lien valid?
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.