South Carolina Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a South Carolina construction lien, drawn from S.C. Code Ann. §§ 29-5-10, 29-5-90, 29-5-120 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
South Carolina 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
- 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 South Carolina
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered work can reach the owner's interest in South Carolina only where the owner consented to or required the improvements.
| Claimant | Lien rights in South Carolina |
|---|---|
| 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 |
South Carolina 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 |
South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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
A copy of the recorded lien must be served on the property owner promptly after recording. To keep the lien alive it must be enforced by lawsuit within 6 months after the lien is recorded.
Wrongful lien exposure
South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Lien filing deadline: statement of mechanic’s lien must be filed within 90 days after the person last furnished labor or materials (S.C. Code Ann. §29-5-90(A)). Service: claimant must serve a copy of the statement of lien on the owner after filing (S.C. Code Ann. §29-5-90(A)); statute does not give a fixed day-count. Enforcement: action to foreclose the lien must be commenced within 6 months after the lien is filed (S.C. Code Ann. §29-5-120). Tenant improvements: lien typically requires owner consent/agency for leasehold work; treated here as owner_consent_required.
Statutory sources: S.C. Code Ann. §§ 29-5-10, 29-5-90, 29-5-120. Read the South Carolina lien statute.
File your South Carolina mechanics lien
We calculate the South Carolina 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.
South Carolina mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in South Carolina?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in South Carolina?
Does a South Carolina mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in South Carolina?
How long is a South Carolina mechanics lien valid?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in South Carolina?
More South Carolina lien tools
This page summarizes South Carolina 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.