Maine Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Maine construction lien, drawn from 10 M.R.S. §§ 3253, 3255 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Maine lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Not required to preserve lien rights
- 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
- Register of deeds for the county
- E-recording
- Not generally available; plan on paper recording
- Enforcement deadline
- Within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials
Who can file a mechanics lien in Maine
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Maine.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Maine |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Maine 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 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials |
Maine 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 Maine lien
Recording the lien
Record with the register of deeds 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
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 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials.
Wrongful lien exposure
Maine 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 Maine
Lien certificate must be recorded in the registry of deeds within 90 days after the lien claimant last performed labor or furnished materials (10 M.R.S. §3253). A copy of the lien certificate must be given to the owner (and certain others) within 30 days after recording (10 M.R.S. §3253). Enforcement: action to enforce lien must be commenced within 120 days after last labor/materials (10 M.R.S. §3255). Because enforcement is keyed to last furnishing (not recording date), this sheet sets enforcement_trigger=last_furnish_date.
Statutory sources: 10 M.R.S. §§ 3253, 3255. Read the Maine lien statute.
File your Maine mechanics lien
We calculate the Maine 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.
Maine mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Maine?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Maine?
Does a Maine mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Maine?
How long is a Maine mechanics lien valid?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Maine?
More Maine lien tools
This page summarizes Maine 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.