California Notice of Intent to Lien

California does not require a notice of intent before a lien. The statutory steps are the preliminary notice and the claim of mechanics lien (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8200-8216, 8416).

Send a California notice from $49 Download the free blank form

Does California require a notice of intent to lien?

Not required. California does not require a notice of intent before a lien. The statutory steps are the preliminary notice and the claim of mechanics lien (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8200-8216, 8416).

A notice of intent is a final written demand. It names the amount, the property and the date you will file. An owner who wants to keep a lien off the title has a clear reason to pay first, and you keep a dated record of the demand.

Notice of intent: Not required; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8200-8216, 8416
When to send it: None required
Lien deadline: Within 90 days after completion of the project
Where the lien is filed: County recorder where the property sits
Free blank form: Yes, PDF; Notice of Intent to Record a Mechanics Lien

Who sends it, to whom, and how

Who sends it: No one has to. Any claimant with lien rights can send one as a last demand before filing.
Who receives it: No law says. Our letter goes to the property owner, the general contractor, and the construction lender.
How to send it: Send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can prove when it arrived.

What a California notice of intent says

The notice our service prepares states the following. Keep it to facts you can prove.

Your name and the party you contracted with
The property, with its address and county
The labor or materials you furnished, and when
The amount unpaid
A demand to pay within 10 days, or you will file your claim of mechanics lien
Your signature and the date

Download a blank California notice of intent to lien

The Notice of Intent to Record a Mechanics Lien our service prepares, with every field left blank. PDF, free, no sign-up. Fill in your own facts and check them against the rules on this page before you send it.

The California lien deadline it protects

The California lien deadline is within 90 days after completion of the project. The lien is filed with the county recorder where the property sits. Send the notice early enough that the payment window ends before that deadline.

See every California lien deadline and filing rule

Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8200-8216, 8416. Read the California lien statute. Notice rules turn on facts specific to your project. Confirm with counsel before relying on them.

Send your California notice of intent

We prepare the notice from your project details. Self-serve from $49: you review, sign and send it. Full service from $99: we send it to every party with proof of delivery.

Start a California notice How the notice service works

California notice of intent FAQ

Is a notice of intent to lien required in California?

California does not require a notice of intent before a lien. The statutory steps are the preliminary notice and the claim of mechanics lien (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 8200-8216, 8416).

When do I send a California notice of intent to lien?

No law sets a time. Send it early enough that the 10-day payment window ends before you must file. The California lien deadline is within 90 days after completion of the project.

Who gets the notice, and how is it sent?

No law says. Our letter goes to the property owner, the general contractor, and the construction lender. Send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can prove when it arrived.

What does a California notice of intent to lien say?

Our letter states: your name and the party you contracted with; the property, with its address and county; the labor or materials you furnished, and when; the amount unpaid; a demand to pay within 10 days, or you will file your claim of mechanics lien; your signature and the date.

Is there a free California notice of intent to lien form?

Yes. Download the blank Notice of Intent to Record a Mechanics Lien on this page. It is the same notice our service prepares, with every field left blank. Or we prepare and send it for you from $49.

More California lien tools

Bordering states

This page summarizes California law for general information and is not legal advice. Notice and release rules depend on your role, project type and dates. Confirm them against the statute or with counsel before relying on them.