Tennessee Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Tennessee construction lien, drawn from T.C.A. §§ 66-11-112, 66-11-115, 66-11-130, 66-11-143, 66-11-145 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Tennessee lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Not required to preserve lien rights
- Lien filing deadline
- within 90 days after completion of the project
- 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 1 year after project completion
Who can file a mechanics lien in Tennessee
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered improvements can support a lien in Tennessee.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Tennessee mechanics lien deadlines
Not required to preserve lien rights. Tennessee requires a notice of intent to lien before the lien itself is recorded, served at least 90 days ahead of filing.
Notice of intent to lien
The final warning before a lien is recorded.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| All claimants | All projects | At least 90 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 90 days after completion of the project |
Recording and enforcing a Tennessee 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 promptly after recording. To keep the lien alive it must be enforced by lawsuit within 1 year after project completion.
Wrongful lien exposure
Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Recordation: sworn statement/notice of lien must be recorded within 90 days after improvement is complete or abandoned (T.C.A. §66-11-112). Remote contractor prerequisite: serve Notice of Nonpayment on owner and prime contractor within 90 days of the last day of EACH month in which unpaid labor/materials/services/equipment/machinery were furnished (T.C.A. §66-11-145). Remote contractor notice of lien: must be served on owner and recorded within the §66-11-112 time period; lien continues 90 days from date of service and must be enforced by suit within that period (T.C.A. §66-11-115(b) & §66-11-126). Notice of Completion: owner may record after completion; remote contractors with Notice of Nonpayment must be served, and deadlines to preserve/priority can shorten (e.g., 10 days residential / 30 days nonres to respond/file—see T.C.A. §66-11-143(e)). Owner/prime may demand enforcement: suit must be commenced within 60 days after service of demand or lien is forfeited (T.C.A. §66-11-130). Prime contractor enforcement is generally within 1 year after completion/abandonment (see practice summaries; confirm §66-11-106 if you want this coded per claimant).
Statutory sources: T.C.A. §§ 66-11-112, 66-11-115, 66-11-130, 66-11-143, 66-11-145. Read the Tennessee lien statute.
File your Tennessee mechanics lien
We calculate the Tennessee 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.
Tennessee mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Tennessee?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Tennessee?
Does a Tennessee mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Tennessee?
How long is a Tennessee mechanics lien valid?
Is a notice of intent to lien required in Tennessee?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Tennessee?
More Tennessee lien tools
This page summarizes Tennessee 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.