Alabama Mechanic's Lien Template

Filing Deadline

Original/prime contractors: 6 months after last labor or materials furnished. Subcontractors and material suppliers: 4 months after last labor or materials furnished. Day laborers (employees): 30 days after last labor. A lawsuit to enforce the lien must then be filed within 6 months after the entire indebtedness matures (i.e., the contractual due date of the unpaid balance).

Clock starts: The clock runs from the last day the claimant actually performed labor or delivered materials to the project (not invoice date, not punch-list/warranty work).

Where to Record

Office of the Judge of Probate in the county where the property is located. (In Jefferson County, the state's largest, this is the Jefferson County Probate Court — main office at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203; Bessemer Division at 1801 3rd Ave. N., Bessemer, AL 35020. Recording fees ~$16 first page + $3 each additional page, +$5 surcharge if over 10 pages. eRecording available.)

Notarization

Required — document must be sworn before a notary.

Alabama requires the lien to be a 'verified statement,' meaning the claimant (or an authorized agent/officer) must sign under oath before a notary public. An unverified/un-notarized lien is invalid an

Service Requirement

Alabama statute does NOT require post-recording service of the recorded lien on the owner (the pre-recording 'Notice to Owner' / Notice of Unpaid Balance under § 35-11-218 is what triggers/perfects the claim for non-direct contractors). However, best practice is to send a copy of the recorded lien to the owner and GC by certified mail, return receipt requested, immediately after recording to start settlement pressure and to evidence good-faith notice if litigation follows. The lawsuit to enforce (must be filed within 6 months of debt maturity) is served per ordinary Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.