Connecticut Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Connecticut construction lien, drawn from Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 49-34, 49-35, 49-39 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Connecticut lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Required for every claimant, including the general contractor
- Lien filing deadline
- within 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials
- Notarization
- Required
- The lien claim must be sworn to under oath
- Where to record
- Town or city clerk
- E-recording
- Not generally available; plan on paper recording
- Enforcement deadline
- Within 1 year after the lien is recorded
Who can file a mechanics lien in Connecticut
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Connecticut.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Connecticut |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Connecticut mechanics lien deadlines
Required for every claimant, including the general contractor. Preliminary notices go to the property owner and the general contractor by registered mail.
Preliminary notice deadline
The notice that preserves lien rights before any payment problem exists.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| General contractors | All projects | Within 15 days after first furnishing labor or materials |
| Subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers to the owner, suppliers to the general contractor, and suppliers to a subcontractor | All projects | Within 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials |
Mechanics lien filing deadline
The last day the lien can be recorded against the property.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| All claimants | All projects | Within 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials |
Connecticut 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 Connecticut lien
Recording the lien
Record with the town or city clerk. 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
A copy of the recorded lien must be served on the property owner within 30 days of recording. To keep the lien alive it must be enforced by lawsuit within 1 year after the lien is recorded.
Wrongful lien exposure
Connecticut 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 Connecticut
Lien filing: certificate must be lodged/recorded with the town clerk within 90 days after ceasing to furnish labor/materials (Conn. Gen. Stat. §49-34). Serve a true and attested copy of the recorded certificate on the owner not later than 30 days after lodging (Conn. Gen. Stat. §49-34). Non-original contractors generally must give written notice to owner and original contractor after commencing and not later than 90 days after ceasing (Conn. Gen. Stat. §49-35(a)); service is by indifferent person/state marshal or by registered/certified mail if out of town. Original contractor affidavit (business name/address + property description) is lodged with town clerk not later than 15 days after commencing (Conn. Gen. Stat. §49-35(a)). Enforcement: lien not in force longer than 1 year after perfected unless foreclosure commenced and lis pendens recorded within that period (Conn. Gen. Stat. §49-39).
Statutory sources: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 49-34, 49-35, 49-39. Read the Connecticut lien statute.
File your Connecticut mechanics lien
We calculate the Connecticut 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.
Connecticut mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Connecticut?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Connecticut?
Does a Connecticut mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Connecticut?
How long is a Connecticut mechanics lien valid?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Connecticut?
More Connecticut lien tools
This page summarizes Connecticut 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.