California Mechanic's Lien Template

Filing Deadline

Direct (prime) contractor: record within 90 days after completion of the work of improvement, OR within 60 days after the owner records a Notice of Completion/Cessation — whichever is EARLIER (Civ. Code § 8412). Subcontractors/suppliers/other claimants: 90 days after completion OR 30 days after a recorded Notice of Completion/Cessation — whichever is EARLIER (Civ. Code § 8414).

Clock starts: Date of overall 'completion of the work of improvement' (project-wide, not the claimant's last day) — but if the owner records a Notice of Completion or Notice of Cessation, the shorter 60-day (GC) / 30-day (sub) clock starts from that recording date and almost always controls.

Where to Record

County Recorder's office in the county where the project property is physically located. In Los Angeles County: LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (lavote.gov), main office in Norwalk plus branch offices. Each county sets its own per-page and first-page recording fees (typically $20–$95 first page, $3 each additional) plus a Building Homes & Jobs Act fee where applicable.

Notarization

Not required by statute.

California requires VERIFICATION (signed under penalty of perjury by the claimant) but does NOT require notarization or acknowledgment. County recorders will accept a verified lien without a notary bl

Service Requirement

A copy of the recorded claim of lien WITH the statutory Notice of Mechanics Lien attached MUST be served on the owner or reputed owner by (a) registered mail, (b) certified mail, or (c) first-class mail with a certificate of mailing — at the owner's residence, place of business, address on the building permit, or, if none can be found, on the construction lender or original contractor. Service must occur BEFORE the recording deadline expires AND a proof-of-service affidavit must be attached/included with the lien itself. Failure to serve renders the lien UNENFORCEABLE as a matter of law (Civ. Code § 8416(c)–(d)).