Arkansas Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Arkansas construction lien, drawn from Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-44-114, 18-44-115, 18-44-117, 18-44-119 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Arkansas lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Required for every claimant, including the general contractor
- 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
- Circuit court clerk for the county
- E-recording
- Not generally available; plan on paper recording
- Enforcement deadline
- Within 15 months after the lien is recorded
Who can file a mechanics lien in Arkansas
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Arkansas. Owner-occupied residential projects carry extra notice requirements in Arkansas; missing them can cost the lien entirely.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Arkansas |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Arkansas mechanics lien deadlines
Required for every claimant, including the general contractor. Preliminary notices go to the property owner and the general contractor by certified mail. Arkansas requires a notice of intent to lien before the lien itself is recorded, served at least 10 days ahead of filing.
Preliminary notice deadline
The notice that preserves lien rights before any payment problem exists.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| General contractors | All projects | At the contract date (see the notes below for the statutory schedule) |
| Subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers to the general contractor, and suppliers to a subcontractor | All projects | Within 75 days after first furnishing labor or materials |
Notice of intent to lien
The final warning before a lien is recorded.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| All claimants | All projects | At least 10 days before filing the lien |
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 |
Recording and enforcing a Arkansas lien
Recording the lien
Record with the circuit court clerk for the county. 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
Arkansas 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 15 months after the lien is recorded.
Wrongful lien exposure
Arkansas 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 Arkansas
NOI: 10-day notice to owner before filing lien (Ark. Code Ann. §18-44-114(a)). Lien filing deadline: within 120 days after work/materials furnished; file with clerk of the circuit court and include affidavit of notice/proof (Ark. Code Ann. §18-44-117(a)(1), (a)(3)). Commercial projects: subs/service providers/material suppliers/laborers must send 75-day notice to owner and contractor (Ark. Code Ann. §18-44-115(b)(4)-(5)). Residential (<=4 units): no lien unless owner received the statutory pre-construction notice; residential contractor must provide it before commencement (Ark. Code Ann. §18-44-115(a)(1), (a)(3), (a)(5)(C)). Enforcement: action must be commenced within 15 months after filing lien and a lis pendens filed (Ark. Code Ann. §18-44-119(a)-(b)).
Statutory sources: Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-44-114, 18-44-115, 18-44-117, 18-44-119. Read the Arkansas lien statute.
File your Arkansas mechanics lien
We calculate the Arkansas 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.
Arkansas mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Arkansas?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Arkansas?
Does a Arkansas mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Arkansas?
How long is a Arkansas mechanics lien valid?
Is a notice of intent to lien required in Arkansas?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Arkansas?
More Arkansas lien tools
This page summarizes Arkansas 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.