Missouri Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Missouri construction lien, drawn from RSMo §§ 429.012, 429.013, 429.080, 429.100, 429.170, 429.014, 429.016 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Missouri lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Required for every claimant, including the general contractor
- Lien filing deadline
- within 6 months 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 6 months after the lien is recorded
Who can file a mechanics lien in Missouri
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Missouri. Missouri layers several restrictions on owner-occupied residential projects; read the statute before relying on a lien.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Missouri |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Missouri mechanics lien deadlines
Required for every claimant, including the general contractor. Preliminary notices go to the property owner by any method that proves receipt. Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| All claimants | All projects | At the contract date (see the notes below for the statutory schedule) |
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 6 months after last furnishing labor or materials |
Recording and enforcing a Missouri 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
Missouri 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
Filing a knowingly false lien in Missouri can carry criminal penalties as well as civil liability. RSMo §429.014 lien fraud: class D felony if >$500, else class A misdemeanor; §429.012(3) class B misdemeanor if original contractor fails notice with intent to defraud.
Practitioner notes for Missouri
Original contractor must give 'Notice to Owner' disclosure prior to receiving any payment (may be given at contract, delivery, commencement, or with first invoice); this is a condition precedent to original contractor lien rights (RSMo §429.012). Non-original contractors must give 10 days' notice before filing lien (RSMo §429.100). Lien statement deadline: file verified 'just and true account' with circuit clerk within 6 months after indebtedness accrued; equipment lessor has 60-day deadline and 15-business-day owner notice for commercial equipment liens (RSMo §§429.080, 429.010(2)). Enforcement: commence action within 6 months after filing lien and prosecute without unnecessary delay (RSMo §429.170). Owner-occupied residential (repair/remodel/addition, <=4 units): subs/suppliers must have owner-signed 'Consent of Owner' and attach it to lien filing; full payment to contractor is defense absent consent (RSMo §429.013). Residential sale 'notice of intended sale' / claimant 'notice of rights' (not less than 5 days before closing) can apply in certain sale situations; does not extend lien deadline (RSMo §429.016).
Statutory sources: RSMo §§ 429.012, 429.013, 429.080, 429.100, 429.170, 429.014, 429.016. Read the Missouri lien statute.
File your Missouri mechanics lien
We calculate the Missouri 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.
Missouri mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Missouri?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Missouri?
Does a Missouri mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Missouri?
How long is a Missouri mechanics lien valid?
Is a notice of intent to lien required in Missouri?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Missouri?
More Missouri lien tools
This page summarizes Missouri 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.