Alaska Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules

Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Alaska construction lien, drawn from AS 34.35.064, 34.35.068, 34.35.070, 34.35.071, 34.35.080 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.

Alaska lien rules at a glance

Preliminary notice
Not required to preserve lien rights
Lien filing deadline
within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials
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 lien is recorded

Who can file a mechanics lien in Alaska

Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Alaska.

Claimant Lien rights in Alaska
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

Alaska mechanics lien deadlines

Not required to preserve lien rights.

Mechanics lien filing deadline

The last day the lien can be recorded against the property.

Who Project type Deadline
All claimants All projects Within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials

Alaska does not require a notice of intent before recording a lien, but sending one is often what gets the invoice paid.

Recording and enforcing a Alaska 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

Alaska 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 lien is recorded.

Wrongful lien exposure

Alaska 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 Alaska

Lien filing deadline: 120 days after claimant completes contract or ceases furnishing (AS 34.35.068(a)). If owner records Notice of Completion (AS 34.35.071), some claimants must record a claim of lien OR a Notice of Right to Lien within 15 days (AS 34.35.068(b)(1)); recording a Notice of Right to Lien can preserve the 120-day lien deadline in certain cases (AS 34.35.068(b)(2); AS 34.35.064). Enforcement: lien expires unless action commenced within 6 months of recording or an extension notice is recorded within the original 6 months (AS 34.35.080).

Statutory sources: AS 34.35.064, 34.35.068, 34.35.070, 34.35.071, 34.35.080. Read the Alaska lien statute.

File your Alaska mechanics lien

We calculate the Alaska 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.

Alaska mechanics lien FAQ

How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Alaska?
The Alaska lien must be recorded within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials. The same deadline applies to every claimant.
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Alaska?
No. Alaska does not require a preliminary notice to preserve lien rights, although sending one is still an effective way to get paid before a lien becomes necessary.
Does a Alaska mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Yes. The lien must be notarized before it is recorded. The lien claim must be sworn to under oath.
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Alaska?
With the county recorder where the property sits. Paper filing is the norm, so allow time for mailing and the recorder's processing queue when working back from your deadline.
How long is a Alaska mechanics lien valid?
A Alaska lien must be enforced through a foreclosure lawsuit within 6 months after the lien is recorded. If no suit is filed by then, the lien expires and can no longer be used to force payment.
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Alaska?
Yes. Subcontractors have lien rights in Alaska, and so do sub-subcontractors.

This page summarizes Alaska 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.