Idaho Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Idaho construction lien, drawn from Idaho Code §§ 45-507, 45-510, 45-525 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Idaho 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
- 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 Idaho
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Idaho. Owner-occupied residential projects carry extra notice requirements in Idaho; missing them can cost the lien entirely.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Idaho |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Idaho mechanics lien deadlines
Required for every claimant, including the general contractor. Preliminary notices go to the property owner by personal delivery.
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) |
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 |
Idaho 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 Idaho 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
A copy of the recorded lien must be served on the property owner within 5 days of recording. To keep the lien alive it must be enforced by lawsuit within 6 months after the lien is recorded.
Wrongful lien exposure
Idaho 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 Idaho
Lien recording deadline: claim must be recorded within 90 days after completion of labor/services or furnishing of materials (Idaho Code §45-507(2)). Serve a true and correct copy of the recorded claim on the owner or reputed owner by personal service or certified mail no later than 5 business days after filing (Idaho Code §45-507(5)). Enforcement: lien binds property no longer than 6 months after filing unless proceedings commenced within that time; can be extended if payment/credit with expiration date is endorsed and recorded (Idaho Code §45-510(1)). Residential disclosure: for residential real property contracts >$2,000, general contractor must provide disclosure prior to entering contract (Idaho Code §45-525(2)).
Statutory sources: Idaho Code §§ 45-507, 45-510, 45-525. Read the Idaho lien statute.
File your Idaho mechanics lien
We calculate the Idaho 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.
Idaho mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Idaho?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Idaho?
Does a Idaho mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Idaho?
How long is a Idaho mechanics lien valid?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Idaho?
More Idaho lien tools
This page summarizes Idaho 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.