Rhode Island Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Rhode Island construction lien, drawn from R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-28-4, 34-28-10, 34-28-16 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Rhode Island lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Not required to preserve lien rights
- Lien filing deadline
- within 200 days 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
- See statute
Who can file a mechanics lien in Rhode Island
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Rhode Island.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Rhode Island 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 200 days after last furnishing labor or materials |
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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
Rhode Island does not require a separate notice after the lien is recorded, though most claimants send one anyway to prompt payment.
Wrongful lien exposure
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
RI is a court-driven lien: claimant must file a 'Notice of Intention' in the Superior Court within 200 days after the last day of furnishing labor/materials (R.I. Gen. Laws §34-28-4). A copy of the Notice of Intention is recorded in the land evidence records of the city/town where the property is located (see §34-28-10). There is a strict petition/hearing process and the lien is contingent on the court’s order; enforcement timelines depend on the court order and subsequent proceedings (see §34-28-16 et seq.). This sheet encodes the 200-day Notice of Intention deadline as the 'lien' deadline and leaves enforcement timing as a placeholder (0) with this note.
Statutory sources: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-28-4, 34-28-10, 34-28-16. Read the Rhode Island lien statute.
File your Rhode Island mechanics lien
We calculate the Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Rhode Island?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Rhode Island?
Does a Rhode Island mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Rhode Island?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Rhode Island?
More Rhode Island lien tools
This page summarizes Rhode Island 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.