Utah Mechanics Lien
Deadlines & Filing Rules
Every notice, deadline, and recording requirement for a Utah construction lien, drawn from Utah Code §§ 38-1a-501, 38-1a-502, 38-1a-701, 38-9a-201 and the same rule engine that calculates deadlines for our filing customers.
Utah lien rules at a glance
- Preliminary notice
- Required for every claimant, including the general contractor
- Lien filing deadline
- within 180 days after completion of the project
- Notarization
- Required
- The lien claim must be verified by the claimant
- Where to record
- County recorder where the property sits
- E-recording
- Available in participating counties
- Enforcement deadline
- Within 180 days after the lien is recorded
Who can file a mechanics lien in Utah
Lien rights depend on where you sit in the contracting chain. Tenant-ordered work can reach the owner's interest in Utah only where the owner consented to or required the improvements.
| Claimant | Lien rights in Utah |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Utah mechanics lien deadlines
Required for every claimant, including the general contractor. Preliminary notices go to the state construction registry by any method that proves receipt.
Preliminary notice deadline
The notice that preserves lien rights before any payment problem exists.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| All claimants | All projects | Within 20 days after first furnishing labor or materials |
Mechanics lien filing deadline
The last day the lien can be recorded against the property.
| Who | Project type | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| All claimants | All projects | Within 180 days after completion of the project |
Utah 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 Utah lien
Recording the lien
Record with the county recorder where the property sits. Electronic recording is available in participating counties. The lien must be notarized. The lien claim must be verified by the claimant.
After recording
Utah 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 180 days after the lien is recorded.
Wrongful lien exposure
In Utah, a wrongful lien claimant can be ordered to pay the owner's attorney fees and costs. Utah Code 38-9a-201 et seq.: wrongful lien remedies include expedited release + costs/attorney fees; criminal penalties may apply for intentional filing.
Practitioner notes for Utah
Preliminary notice: to retain lien rights, a preconstruction/preliminary notice must be filed in the State Construction Registry (SCR) within 20 days after first furnishing labor/service/material/equipment (Utah Code §38-1a-501(1)). Lien recording deadline: lien must be filed within 180 days after final completion of original contract, OR within 90 days after a Notice of Completion is filed in SCR, whichever occurs first (Utah Code §38-1a-502(1)). If preliminary notice not filed, lien rights can be lost (Utah Code §38-1a-501(2)-(3)). Enforcement: action to enforce must be commenced within 180 days after lien recorded (Utah Code §38-1a-701(1)).
Statutory sources: Utah Code §§ 38-1a-501, 38-1a-502, 38-1a-701, 38-9a-201. Read the Utah lien statute.
File your Utah mechanics lien
We calculate the Utah 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.
Utah mechanics lien FAQ
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Utah?
Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Utah?
Does a Utah mechanics lien need to be notarized?
Where is a mechanics lien filed in Utah?
How long is a Utah mechanics lien valid?
Can a subcontractor file a mechanics lien in Utah?
More Utah lien tools
This page summarizes Utah 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.